M Marengo - Barolo Brunate 2020
The Marengo estate, established in 1899, has been a cornerstone of Barolo winemaking for over a century. Based in La Morra the winery is now led by Marco Marengo, who manages the operations with his wife Jenny and their son Stefano, a skilled wine technician. Spanning 8 hectares, the estate includes two of their crown jewels, 1.2 hectares in Brunate, one of the greatest crus of the Langhe, and 1 hectare in Bricco delle Viole, a key cru of the Barolo township. Both vineyards have been in the Marengo family for five generations, with Brunate appearing on a label for the first time in 1974 and Bricco delle Viole in 1997. The Marengos know these vineyards well.
This historic vineyard, planted in 1942 at an altitude of 320 meters, boasts limestone and silt soils that lend the wine great elegance, complexity, and longevity. The 2020 Barolo Brunate is powerful and structured, with aromas of red berries, balsamic notes of sage and mint, and hints of floral and flint that unfold with time. Its silky tannins and exceptional balance make it ideal for aging.
James Suckling: 97 Points
Aromas of strawberry, orange peel and cedar with dried flowers follow through to a medium body with solid and muscular tannins that run the length of the wine. Flexing. Spice, chocolate, strawberry and cedar at the end. Chewy. Needs time to soften but all here. Better after 2028.
Wine Advocate: 95 Points
A note of iron or crushed stone lifts from the bouquet of the M. Marengo 2020 Barolo Brunate. After that, it shows a very firm and compact fruit profile with dark currant, licorice root, rosemary and cola. The more austere side of this celebrated vineyard comes through nicely in this hot vintage. The fruit is quite bold but not overripe. It needs more time in bottle to flesh out. Production is 5,000 bottles.
