Albino Rocca 2022 Ovello Vigna Loreto Barbaresco DOCG Piedmont Italy
94 Points Vinous | 94 Points James Suckling | 93 Points Wine Spectator | 93 Points Decanter
Albino Rocca 2022 Ovello Vigna Loreto Barbaresco DOCG is a beautifully refined, single-vineyard Nebbiolo from a tiny parcel within Ovello, one of the oldest and most historic crus of Barbaresco.
Produced from 100% Nebbiolo, Vigna Loreto lies on the western side of the Ovello MGA in the commune of Barbaresco. This small southwest-facing vineyard overlooking the Tanaro River has been part of the Rocca family's history for decades and was first vinified separately in the 1980s.
The 2022 beautifully captures the character Albino Rocca associates with Vigna Loreto: harmony, intensity, structure and warmth, combined with the perfume, finesse and elegance that make Nebbiolo from Barbaresco so distinctive.
Tasting Notes
The 2022 Albino Rocca Ovello Vigna Loreto Barbaresco opens with an alluring combination of red cherry, raspberry, blood orange and dried flowers, gradually revealing layers of spice, tobacco, mint, licorice and savory mineral character.
On the palate, it is concentrated and structured yet remarkably refined. Ripe red fruit and citrus are framed by firm, fine-grained tannins and refreshing acidity. The wine has impressive depth without sacrificing transparency, allowing Nebbiolo's floral, savory and mineral characteristics to emerge as it opens in the glass.
The finish is long, fresh and savory, with lingering red fruit, spice, earth and mineral notes.
Vinous describes the 2022 as powerful and ample while retaining transparency, with integrated tannins and layers of blood orange, spice, tobacco, dried flowers and mint. James Suckling found fresh red cherry, licorice and roses, along with velvety tannins and refreshing acidity.
Critical Acclaim
94 Points — Vinous
Antonio Galloni praised the 2022 for its combination of power, amplitude and transparency, highlighting the integration of its substantial tannins and the complexity of its citrus, spice, tobacco, floral and mint characteristics.
94 Points — James Suckling
James Suckling found fresh red cherry, licorice, rose and savory citrus characteristics, followed by velvety tannins, fresh acidity and a citrus-driven finish. He suggested it would be best beginning in 2026.
93 Points — Wine Spectator
Wine Spectator describes a rich, juicy Barbaresco built around cherry, plum, earth, tar and eucalyptus, with ripe fruit, substantial but pliable tannins and a spicy, savory finish. Its suggested drinking window is 2028–2045.
93 Points — Decanter
Decanter emphasizes the wine's earthy and mineral personality, with iron, smoky tea, red and black currants and a firm palate displaying notable depth and class.
Ovello & Vigna Loreto
Ovello is one of the oldest and largest historic crus of Barbaresco, but Albino Rocca's wine comes from something much more specific: Vigna Loreto, a tiny vineyard on Ovello's western side.
The parcel measures just half a hectare and produces approximately 2,600 bottles per year. Albino Rocca describes it as one of the family's oldest Nebbiolo vineyards.
The vineyard faces southwest and overlooks the Tanaro River. Its soils are predominantly limestone and clay marl with fine sandy infiltrations. According to the estate, the presence of sand contributes to the elegance and finesse of the Nebbiolo grown here.
The estate's technical information identifies vineyard plantings from 1970 and 2011, meaning part of the wine comes from vines now more than half a century old.
This combination of a historic cru, tiny parcel, mature vines and limited production is one of the strongest reasons to distinguish Ovello Vigna Loreto prominently on the MyWinePlus product page.
Traditional Aging
Albino Rocca's approach emphasizes the expressive character of Nebbiolo rather than overt oak influence.
The estate began increasing its use of large oak casks for Barbaresco in 2004, believing they provided a particularly effective way to reveal Nebbiolo's personality and elegance.
The Ovello Vigna Loreto spends approximately 20 months in large oak casks, followed by several additional months of refinement in bottle before release.
Other technical information for the 2022 identifies the élevage as large 20-hectoliter German and Austrian oak casks.
About Albino Rocca
Albino Rocca is a multigenerational family estate rooted in Barbaresco. Winemaking began in the 1950s, although the family's viticultural experience reaches back to the nineteenth century.
Today, the estate farms nearly 20 hectares across Barbaresco, Neive and San Rocco Seno d'Elvio. Its vineyard holdings include several distinguished Barbaresco sites, including Cottà, Ronchi, Ovello Vigna Loreto and Montersino.
The estate's philosophy centers on producing wines that reflect the purity, elegance and individual character of Barbaresco terroir.
Food Pairing
The combination of bright acidity, firm tannins and savory complexity makes the 2022 Ovello Vigna Loreto an exceptional wine for the table.
Pair it with braised beef, osso buco, roasted lamb, duck, wild boar ragù, porcini mushroom risotto, truffle pasta, tajarin with Alba white truffles, aged Parmigiano-Reggiano or Castelmagno.
If drinking it young, I would give it at least an hour in a decanter and serve around 60–64°F (16–18°C).
Wine Details
Producer: Albino Rocca
Vintage: 2022
Wine: Ovello Vigna Loreto
Appellation: Barbaresco DOCG
MGA / Cru: Ovello
Vineyard: Vigna Loreto
Commune: Barbaresco
Region: Piedmont
Country: Italy
Grape: 100% Nebbiolo
Exposure: Southwest
Soil: Limestone and clay marl with fine sandy infiltrations
Vine Plantings: 1970 and 2011
Vineyard Size: Approximately 0.5 hectare
Production: Approximately 2,600 bottles annually
Aging: Approximately 20 months in large oak casks, followed by bottle refinement
Bottle Size: 750ml
Cellaring: Wine Spectator suggests 2028–2045 for the 2022 vintage.
Why You'll Love It
There is a compelling story behind this bottle: one historic Barbaresco cru, one tiny half-hectare vineyard, 100% Nebbiolo and only about 2,600 bottles produced each year.
Vigna Loreto brings together the structure and intensity of Ovello with an unusually elegant side of Nebbiolo, helped by the vineyard's limestone-clay soils and sandy components.
With 94-point scores from both Vinous and James Suckling and additional 93-point reviews from Wine Spectator and Decanter, the 2022 is also a highly acclaimed expression of this small vineyard.
For collectors and lovers of Barolo and Barbaresco, this is precisely the kind of wine that makes Piedmont fascinating: Nebbiolo interpreted through one very specific piece of land.
