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There are Barolos that linger politely in the glass, and then there are those that stride into the room with quiet gravitas—Figli Luigi Oddero’s 2013 Barolo is firmly the latter. Heritage and tradition echo in every swirl, as this estate’s legacy (fractured but never diminished by familial divides) carries through in the pedigree of the vineyard sites: La Morra, Castiglione Falletto, and Serralunga.
This is the kind of wine that you will remember for a very long time, delicate yet bold, slightly ethereal. We were lucky enough to enjoy a wonder bottle of the 2013 at dinner in Melbourne this week and it was absolutely delicious.
APPEARANCE & AROMA >
Medium garnet edged with brick, the 2013 opens with a vivid core of pressed rose, dried cherries, and tobacco, chased by hints of cedar and a faint brush of crushed minerals. Give it a solid decant, time to breathe and little more time in the glass and a pleasing undertow of liquorice and dried herbs emerges, making for a bouquet that’s both haunting and inviting.
PALATE >
On the palate, the wine is classically structured yet finely tuned, balancing the opulence of La Morra with the linear tannins of Serralunga. Expect a tight weave of ripe red fruit—cherries and pomegranate—layered with tar, exotic spice, and that telltale minty freshness Nebbiolo fans crave. Tannins are noble and grippy but already absorb seamlessly into the mid-weight texture; the acidity is lively, keeping the long finish buoyant and precise.
STYLE & DRINKABILITY >
This is a Barolo that honors tradition without becoming beholden to it: elegance over opulence, detail over density. Everything feels in place, from the mineral tension on the mid-palate to the length that tapers with echoes of dried flowers and spice.
As mentioned decanting is wise — give it time to let it stretch its legs and you’ll find it both generous for now and promising for the long run.
- Pair with: Porcini risotto, aged pecorino, or the simple bravery of an empty glass and an open evening.
- Cellar: Drink now with a lengthy decant, or watch its aromatic complexity deepen over the next 10 years.
This is not just a wine—it’s a lesson in why Barolo’s best bottles end up the subject of stories, not just scores.
