2020 San Silvestro Patres Barolo 750 ml

We’re always a little skeptical of an under-$30 Barolo. But when we first tasted the San Silvestro Patres Barolo, that skepticism turned to surprise—then exhilaration—in mere seconds.

Gathered around the tasting table at our Napa office, we fell hard for this wine the minute we caught our first whiff. It was not only a unanimous YES, but several of the unrepentant Nebbiolo-hounds at the table downed it with gusto, proclaiming, “I will drink that ALL day long.” 

That enthusiasm was for the ‘18, but the 2020 comes from an even better vintage—one that Vinous praised by declaring, “the best 2020 Barolos offer exquisite balance, tons of class and plenty of up-front appeal.” 

San Silvestro winery in Novello has been the home base of the Sartirano family for over 150 years, and they remain a bastion of tradition: They farm organically and raise the wines only in large-format, neutral Slavonian oak. The family has their own vines but also buys fruit from farmers via contracts, as they have over multiple generations. Vineyards are tended under the watchful eye of viticultural professor Carlo Arnulfo, notable for his role in the revival of the indigenous Nascetta grape in Piedmont.

The 2020 growing season started with an early budbreak, which delivered ripeness by late September, ahead of October rains. The result made for beautiful fruit notes in the wine without harsh tannins. As such, the ‘20s are not the bottles to put down for four decades, but they’re absolutely perfect to drink over the next decade. Bring on the porcini pasta with white-truffle butter! Bring on the Osso Buco!