Region: Barolo DOCG, Piedmont
Producer
One of Barolo’s quiet icons. Luciano Sandrone built his reputation as a moderniser in the 1980s—combining silky tannins and earlier drinkability with a deep respect for vineyard expression. Today, his brother Luca and daughter Barbara continue the legacy, crafting wines that have edged ever closer to classical restraint while maintaining their hallmark purity and polish. Le Vigne remains the estate’s calling card—a multi-cru Barolo that celebrates the whole of the region, not just one site.
Winemaking
Le Vigne is a blend of four top sites—Baudana in Serralunga, Villero in Castiglione, Vignane in Barolo, and Merli in Novello. Twenty-twenty-one was the second year to include Nebbiolo from Sandrone’s new holding in Le Coste di Monforte. Like Aleste, approximately 20-30% of the grapes fermented as whole-bunches, with a very high percentage of whole berries in the destemmed portion (thanks to a state-of-the-art destemmer). Each is vinified separately, then aged for 24 months in large French oak (mostly neutral) before being blended and held in bottle for over a year prior to release. It’s a meticulous, low-intervention process—native yeast, gentle extraction, no fining or filtration—that delivers structure without excess weight.
Cellared Says
Always a standout wine and a personal favourite, the “legendary” 2021 vintage brings added depth, complexity and intensity to an already compelling release. A no-brainer for the cellar.
Reviews
“I always have special affection for this wine, and between the Aleste and Le Vigne, this is my preferred bottle. I love the brightness and focus of the fruit, the pretty complexity and the rich mouthfeel. The fruit aromas are laced with licorice, cola and spice. The high notes are quite apparent in this excellent vintage. I came back to taste this wine 24 hours later and found those notes to be just as intense and beautiful.”
97+ points, Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate
“The 2021 Barolo Le Vigne is a classy, seamless wine. Crushed flowers, bright red-toned fruit, blood orange, mint, spice and kirsch open gracefully in the glass. This is such an elegant, sophisticated Barolo. The recent shift of sites to Serralunga and Monforte, along with longer ferments, has transformed the Le Vigne into a darker, more somber wine, while the inclusion of stems in some lots adds aromatic dimension. Le Vigne is a wine in movement.”
97+ points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Region: Barolo DOCG, Piedmont
Producer
One of Barolo’s quiet icons. Luciano Sandrone built his reputation as a moderniser in the 1980s—combining silky tannins and earlier drinkability with a deep respect for vineyard expression. Today, his brother Luca and daughter Barbara continue the legacy, crafting wines that have edged ever closer to classical restraint while maintaining their hallmark purity and polish. Le Vigne remains the estate’s calling card—a multi-cru Barolo that celebrates the whole of the region, not just one site.
Winemaking
Le Vigne is a blend of four top sites—Baudana in Serralunga, Villero in Castiglione, Vignane in Barolo, and Merli in Novello. Twenty-twenty-one was the second year to include Nebbiolo from Sandrone’s new holding in Le Coste di Monforte. Like Aleste, approximately 20-30% of the grapes fermented as whole-bunches, with a very high percentage of whole berries in the destemmed portion (thanks to a state-of-the-art destemmer). Each is vinified separately, then aged for 24 months in large French oak (mostly neutral) before being blended and held in bottle for over a year prior to release. It’s a meticulous, low-intervention process—native yeast, gentle extraction, no fining or filtration—that delivers structure without excess weight.
Cellared Says
Always a standout wine and a personal favourite, the “legendary” 2021 vintage brings added depth, complexity and intensity to an already compelling release. A no-brainer for the cellar.
Reviews
“I always have special affection for this wine, and between the Aleste and Le Vigne, this is my preferred bottle. I love the brightness and focus of the fruit, the pretty complexity and the rich mouthfeel. The fruit aromas are laced with licorice, cola and spice. The high notes are quite apparent in this excellent vintage. I came back to taste this wine 24 hours later and found those notes to be just as intense and beautiful.”
97+ points, Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate
“The 2021 Barolo Le Vigne is a classy, seamless wine. Crushed flowers, bright red-toned fruit, blood orange, mint, spice and kirsch open gracefully in the glass. This is such an elegant, sophisticated Barolo. The recent shift of sites to Serralunga and Monforte, along with longer ferments, has transformed the Le Vigne into a darker, more somber wine, while the inclusion of stems in some lots adds aromatic dimension. Le Vigne is a wine in movement.”
97+ points, Antonio Galloni, Vinous
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