2010 Giacomo Borgogno “Liste” Barolo 750 ml

Cellar-Release From Iconic Barolo Producer

I never thought I would have the opportunity to offer a wine from Borgogno — a benchmark producer whose iconic and legendary estate is smack in the village of Barolo. But thanks to a personal visit a few years back, today, I am able to present this 2010 Giacomo Borgogno “Liste” Barolo, which earned a batch of 93- and 94-point scores and hails from the vintage that Antonio Galloni called “the greatest young Barolo vintage I have tasted in 18 years of visiting the region.” This 2010 Liste is crimson-tinged, with dark cherry, dried flowers, and prominent fresh and savory elements. This is a fine example of Cru Barolo — it’s hard to find one critic who doesn’t agree. Galloni praised its classic “Liste intensity” calling it a “dark, powerful and explosive” wine. Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate calls it “hearty” and “built to last.” Both critics added their 93-point scores to a 93 from Wine Spectator and 94 from James Suckling. Just beginning to soften, a long decant makes this wine sing now, and it should last for decades. 

The defining wine trip of my life started in Burgundy and down to Tain l’Hermitage in the Northern Rhône, continued through Savoie to Mont Blanc, and finally through Turin and into the village of Barolo. I was with my great friend Carlo Mondavi and he seemed to have connections everywhere we wanted to go! This is how we came to taste with Borgogno’s then 25-year-old winemaker Andrea Farinetti, who took the helm at the 250-year-old estate in 2012.

It was in 2015, during the wine trip of my lifetime (so far), that I first tasted the 2010 Borgogno Barolo Liste. My friends and I found ourselves at the Borgogno estate in the village of Barolo, with young winemaker/owner Andrea Farinetti, tasting through the crus of Cannubi, Fossati, and Liste on the rooftop terrace. As we tasted these amazing wines in view of their source vineyards, I never imagined I’d have the chance to share these wines with so many adoring Barolo lovers — those of you from Wine Access who know the brilliance of these wines.

One of the oldest names and cellars in the region, Borgogno Barolo was poured at the official dinner to celebrate the Italian Risorgimento (Unification) in 1861. The last Russian czar, Nicholas II Romanov, drank it when he came to the Castle of Racconigi in 1886. But Borgogno’s history might be most beautifully represented in an impeccably preserved cellar library that would inspire awe in any wine collector.

I’ll admit that I often wish I was back on that terrace, sipping Barolo in the Piedmontese. But until I can go back, I have the 2010 Borgogno Barolo to take me back, and I am proud to share that with Wine Access clients. Secure yours now.

Sur Lucero MS
Master Sommelier