{"product_id":"livia-fontana-2019-villero-barolo-docg","title":"Livia Fontana 2019 Villero Barolo DOCG – Piedmont, Italy","description":"\u003ch3 class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eLivia Fontana 2019 Villero Barolo DOCG – Piedmont, Italy\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom one of the celebrated crus of Castiglione Falletto comes the \u003cstrong\u003eLivia Fontana 2019 Villero Barolo DOCG\u003c\/strong\u003e, a beautifully structured and elegant expression of 100% Nebbiolo from one of Barolo's historic vineyard sites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Villero cru lies in \u003cstrong\u003eCastiglione Falletto\u003c\/strong\u003e, where its south and southwest-facing vineyards rise between approximately 225 and 360 meters above sea level. Mineral-rich marl soils with low permeability retain moisture particularly well, helping the vines maintain balance even during dry growing seasons. Villero is known for producing Barolo that combines structure and longevity with particularly refined, elegant tannins. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLivia Fontana's 2019 Villero captures that character beautifully. Bright ruby-garnet in color, it opens with an expressive bouquet of \u003cstrong\u003eviolet, sour cherry, raspberry and blood orange\u003c\/strong\u003e, joined by sweet spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg and subtle balsamic nuances.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the palate, the wine is fresh, structured and precise, with polished yet vigorous Nebbiolo tannins surrounding layers of red fruit, citrus peel, spice and savory mineral character. A distinctive saline quality emerges toward the finish, adding freshness and complexity before a long, delicately balsamic conclusion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is classic Castiglione Falletto Barolo: powerful enough for extended cellaring, yet defined by elegance rather than sheer weight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e93 Points – James Suckling\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJames Suckling awarded the \u003cstrong\u003e2019 Villero 93 points\u003c\/strong\u003e, highlighting its dried red cherry and floral character, fine yet firm tannins, orange-peel notes and polished style. The estate's current records confirm the 93-point score for the 2019 vintage. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e93 Points – Falstaff\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFalstaff also awarded the wine \u003cstrong\u003e93 points\u003c\/strong\u003e, finding fragrant sour cherry, blood orange and raspberry aromas followed by fine, polished tannins, delicate raspberry fruit and a pronounced saline character on the finish. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eGambero Rosso – Tre Bicchieri\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2019 Villero earned \u003cstrong\u003eTre Bicchieri (Three Glasses)\u003c\/strong\u003e from Gambero Rosso, its highest distinction. The winery's own awards record confirms the recognition, and WineNews specifically notes the award for this vintage. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe Villero Cru\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVillero is an important \u003cstrong\u003eMGA (Menzione Geografica Aggiuntiva)\u003c\/strong\u003e of Castiglione Falletto. Its mineral-rich marl soils and ability to retain water contribute to wines known for \u003cstrong\u003estructure, longevity, elegance and incisive but refined tannins\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLivia Fontana's vineyard sits approximately \u003cstrong\u003e300–350 meters above sea level with southwest exposure\u003c\/strong\u003e, on Sant'Agata Fossili marls with a presence of sand. The estate's Villero holding covers approximately one hectare.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWinemaking \u0026amp; Aging\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Nebbiolo grapes are harvested by hand, traditionally around mid-October, with careful selection in the vineyard and again at the winery.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing gentle crushing, fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks, with approximately \u003cstrong\u003e20 days of skin maceration\u003c\/strong\u003e. The wine then undergoes extended maturation in \u003cstrong\u003etraditional large oak barrels\u003c\/strong\u003e, followed by further bottle aging in the Fontana family's temperature-controlled underground cellar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the 2019 specifically, additional reporting indicates approximately \u003cstrong\u003e40 months in traditional oak\u003c\/strong\u003e, reinforcing the traditionalist character of the wine. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAbout Livia Fontana\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Fontana family's connection to the vineyards of the Langhe stretches back generations. Today, Livia Fontana works alongside her sons \u003cstrong\u003eMichele and Lorenzo\u003c\/strong\u003e, continuing a family tradition centered on Nebbiolo and the great terroirs of Barolo.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe estate is based in Castiglione Falletto, and Barolo remains at the heart of its production, including wines from Villero and Bussia. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe family's philosophy combines respect for traditional Barolo with careful vineyard management and modern precision in the cellar, allowing the individual character of each vineyard to remain the focus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Bright ruby red moving toward garnet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAromas:\u003c\/strong\u003e Violet, sour cherry, raspberry, blood orange, dried red cherry, cinnamon, nutmeg and subtle balsamic notes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePalate:\u003c\/strong\u003e Medium to full-bodied with vibrant freshness, polished yet assertive tannins and layers of red cherry, raspberry, orange peel, sweet spice and savory mineral character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e Long and persistent with distinctive saline and delicately balsamic notes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFood Pairing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe combination of structure, acidity and refined tannins makes this an outstanding gastronomic Barolo. Pair it with \u003cstrong\u003ebraised beef, roasted lamb, duck, osso buco, porcini mushroom risotto, truffle pasta, game meats or aged cheeses\u003c\/strong\u003e. The producer also recommends richer seafood preparations such as cacciucco, demonstrating the wine's versatility. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWine Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProducer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Livia Fontana\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVintage:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2019\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWine:\u003c\/strong\u003e Villero Barolo DOCG\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCountry:\u003c\/strong\u003e Italy\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e Piedmont\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAppellation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Barolo DOCG\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCru \/ MGA:\u003c\/strong\u003e Villero\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMunicipality:\u003c\/strong\u003e Castiglione Falletto\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGrape:\u003c\/strong\u003e 100% Nebbiolo\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVineyard Elevation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 300–350 meters\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExposure:\u003c\/strong\u003e Southwest\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sant'Agata Fossili marl with sand\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hand harvested\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaceration:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 20 days\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAging:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approximately 40 months in traditional oak, followed by bottle maturation\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlcohol:\u003c\/strong\u003e 14.5%\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eServing Temperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 61–64°F \/ 16–18°C\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCellaring:\u003c\/strong\u003e Drink now or cellar for 15–20 years\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCritical Acclaim:\u003c\/strong\u003e 93 James Suckling | 93 Falstaff | Gambero Rosso Tre Bicchieri \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy You'll Love It\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a particularly compelling Barolo for customers looking beyond the largest names of Piedmont. It combines a \u003cstrong\u003etop Castiglione Falletto vineyard, traditional winemaking, long oak maturation, three major critical accolades and genuine long-term cellar potential\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt also gives MyWinePlus a nice opportunity to present Villero alongside Livia Fontana's \u003cstrong\u003eBussia Riserva\u003c\/strong\u003e: two different expressions of Nebbiolo and two important Barolo terroirs from the same family producer.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"WinePlus","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43164514386014,"sku":"LiviaFontana2019VilleroBarolo","price":120.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0242\/0683\/files\/mywineplus.com-livia-fontana-2019-villero-barolo-docg.png?v=1786733864","url":"https:\/\/www.mywineplus.com\/products\/livia-fontana-2019-villero-barolo-docg","provider":"MyWinePlus.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}