2021 Barolo Tortoniano, Michele Chiarlo

Refined, aromatic, and classically composed, Tortoniano 2021 is Barolo in an elegant mood. It opens with lifted notes of rose petals, wild cherry, and dried herbs, evolving into subtle layers of spice, tobacco, and truffle. The palate is poised and harmonious with silky tannins supporting vibrant red fruit and a fine mineral thread that runs through to a long, savoury finish. There’s both structure and grace here, the mark of a wine built for contemplation as much as pleasure.

For when: The table’s set, the lights are low, and conversation flows easily.
Pairs with: Veal Milanese, porcini risotto, or a well-aged cheese board.

Founded in 1956, Michele Chiarlo remains one of Piedmont’s great family names, a guardian of tradition and terroir across Barolo, Barbaresco, and Monferrato. The Tortoniano takes its name from the ancient Tortonian soils of La Morra and Barolo, rich in magnesium and manganese, which lend Nebbiolo its signature perfume and supple tannins. Grapes are hand-harvested from select hillside vineyards, fermented in stainless steel, and matured for two years in large oak casks before further refinement in bottle.

The 2021 vintage brought balance and classicism to the Langhe, a long, even growing season that produced wines of clarity, freshness, and refined structure. In Tortoniano, that vintage character shines through: a Barolo of precision and polish, ready to charm in its youth but certain to reward those with patience.