2014 Boroli Barolo 750 ml

The 2014 Boroli, which shows off the fantastic aromatics that only come with bottle age, is exactly why we cellar Barolo, and why we’re constantly trying to track down back-vintages. Drawn from an all-star selection of vineyard sites—including the Villero, La Brunella, and Cerequio crus that Boroli bottles as $100+ single-vineyard expressions—it’s an under-$50 Barolo that doesn’t sacrifice an ounce of Piemontese character—a true rarity indeed. 

Straddled by two uber-hyped vintages, 2014 in Barolo was a bit of an enigma on release. But now, nearly a decade from harvest, it’s clear that the best 2014s are hidden gems, providing beautiful drinking without the need to wait.

When we put together a tasting of 2014s, Boroli was the one we kept returning to. Drawn in by the seductive aromas of red cherries and redcurrants accented by rosé petals, hints of lavender, and a touch of tobacco, we would have been content to just smell it—except that the bright acidity and dark fruit on the palate were a perfect pairing for the decadent lasagna our host had prepared.

Boroli is a young estate by Piemonte standards. Silvano and Elena Boroli founded their namesake winery in 1997, and they run it with the obsession and drive of those who found wine by choice, not by birth. Vinous founder Antonio Galloni has declared them “one of the up and coming estates in the Piedmontese landscape” and noted that the winery “already counts parcels in some of Piedmont's finest vineyards among its holdings.”

Vinification is traditional, with fermentation in stainless steel tanks followed by long aging in large botti, and the 2014 shows the precision and old-school Nebbiolo character that comes along with it.