Fontanafredda Barolo 2013 Wine Review

Fontanafredda Barolo 2013

Piedmont DOCG, Italy

Community Score:90/100

Community Reviews: 17

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Price: $32.95

Drink: 2018-2028

Bottle size: 750 ml

Alcohol: 14%

Sweetness: Extra Dry

Wine Type: Red Wine

Winery: Fontanafredda

Agent: Philippe Dandurand Wines Ltd.

Natalie's Score: 91/100

Vittorio Emanuele II, Italy's first king, bought this winery in 1858 and started making wines. The estate today is now owned by entrepreneur Oscar Farinetti. This northern Italian red is surprisingly nimble and elegant for Barolo, which usually strikes a much deeper chord. Great mouth-watering acidity for tangy tomato and meat sauces. Full-bodied and smooth with aromas of tart cherry and wild violet.

Barolo food pairings: red meats, especially braised or roasted served with a rich red wine reduction, hard cheeses such as pecorino and parmesan, the older the better, quality dark chocolate.

This Fontanafredda Barolo 2013 was reviewed on October 30, 2017 by Natalie MacLean

More Vintages: 2011 2005 2019 2016 2008

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Pricing & Stock Information

LCBO
20214
$32.95
Check Stock

BCLDB
20214
$31.21
940 bottles

Store

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Westwood Centre

Arbutus

39th & Cambie

Robson

Penticton Plaza

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SAQ
20214
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Reviews and Ratings

Andrew Bernardo rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

A tremendous Barolo for the price, featuring cherry, red plum skin, dried herbs and dried earth. There is a great minerality to this wine. 92 points. (www.ottawawinejournal.com)

Courtney Flood rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

Very approachable Barolo - both in flavor and in price!

Cherry, fig, brown sugar, anise, dark chocolate and lots of baking spices. Dried rose petal and a touch of mushroom.

Pairing: stewed or braised meat;, roasted mushroom, thyme, and parmesan tart; roasted pork.

Andrea Shapiro rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

Pale ruby color. On the nose raspberry, pomegranate with delicious hints of soft ground nutmeg, dark chocolate, cola and violet flowers. Flavours fully bloom with cranberries, raspberries, fresh herbs, graphite and salted mushrooms. High acidity, bold tannins with a rich round finish. Outstanding value for the quality found here. Rotund and radiant. A perfect pairing for full red meats, herb crusted lamb shank, slow roasted beef ribs and rich refined cheeses. Will also complement charcuterie, crostini and conversation. Tasted with Fontanafredda brand ambassador, Alberto Frea - October 2017

Louise Boutin -Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

This well crafted entry level Barolo from Fontanafredda offers more than what would be expected from such a price tag. Classic expressive red cherry, forest floor, dry rose petals aromas on the nose. On the palate, this medium-plus-bodied nebbiolo wine shows character with tart cranberry and red cherry, earthy tobacco, savoury herbs and firm tannins hinting at excellent cellaring potential. Enjoy now with herb-crusted rare lamb chops or let the full complexity of this wine develop further with an additional 5-10 years of cellaring.

Tasted on Oct 29th, 2017

Lynn Van Der Linde rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

Aged one year in French oak barrels, this traditional Barolo boasts perfect structure. Still fruit forward, but elegant spicy notes and tart cherry flavours, great with simple pastas and red meat dishes.
Tasted October 2017.

Matt Steeves - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

Fontanafredda's 2013 Barolo is one of the best super value Barolo's available at the LCBO. At $29.95 it offers exceptional value and don't let the discount price point steer you away as this Barolo is delicious! Primed and ready for immediate enjoyment, it's very well structured with fine integrated tannins that are supported by the fresh acidity and delicious balance of fruit and rustic flavours. Fontanafredda's Barolo is a fantastic option for gifting, short to medium term cellaring, and for enjoying with a wide range of meals, from creamy pasta, braised beef, blue cheese, or simply on its own. Very aromatic, it has a beautiful nose with prune, cherry, sweet spices, black tea, and leather. A beautiful Barolo, the King of Wines, and at a very reasonable price. Tasted October 2017. 91 points. Matt Steeves - www.quercusvino.ca

Trent Mayers rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

Barolo has been called the King of Wines and the wine of Kings. Indeed, it's arguably the best wine produced in Italy. Vinified from the Nebbiolo grape from Piedmont, it tends to be a pale red wine that becomes even less intense in colour as it ages. However, this red presents a good example where colour is not indicative of flavour and body. It is a full bodied, tannic colossus that needs some time in bottle to soften, or generous aeration if young, to mellow out those tannins. This excellent 2016 is still tannic, but starting to soften with exceptional notes of violet, dried red cherry, plum, sweet cinnamon, earth, and a hint of cigar box aroma. Serve it up with your favourite mushroom pasta or red meats.
4 stars out of 5

Kristin Perrin rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Nose: juicy red cherry, pretty floral violet notes, earthy, tomato leaf
Palate: the above mentioned is confirmed on the palate with the addition of peppery spicy notes, gripping tannins & acidity Which would make it a perfect partner with aged hard cheese, braised red meats paired with mushroom risottos.

Lori Kilmartin WSET3 - WSET3 Sommelier rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

This is a great price point to introduce you to the "Wine of Kings - Kings of Wine". This is Fontanafredda's entry level Barolo that is meant to entice you to try more - preferably their higher end ones. The grapes come from various villages and growers who have met the strict standards that the winery expects from their suppliers.
Made in the "traditional method" - the wine has been aged two years in large oak casks and then a minimum of 12 months in the bottle. In keeping with that tradition the label on this bottle is the same as the original label used 160 years go.

Aromas of smoke, plum, cherry, violet and new leather. An elegant wine with medium acidity and supple tannins. Medium body with medium finish. This wine does exactly what it is intended to do - it makes you want more!

This was tasted October 29, 2017 and was paired with with gnocchi and gorgonzola. Delicious!

Mary Anne van Gaal rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

This is the wine that started it all for Fontanafredda. It is an entry point into Barolo and represents great value at $28.55. Rest assured that quality did not suffer to get this wine to this price point. The rich ruby tones hint at the juicy cherry, plum, spice, and earthiness. It was great paired with Gorgonzola Gnocchi. Tasted October 29, 2017 at an Ottawa Fontanafredda wine tasting.

Gwen Barton rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Lovely full-bodied wine with big tannins and big acidity. Ruby red with faint orange undertones. Noticeable tar and wild flowers- typical of Barolo wine. A pleasing Barolo at a great price. Pair with rich, savoury meat dish like lamb with mint sauce. Suggest a few years in the cellar. Tasted: Oct 2017 @fontanafredda_

Melanie Lloyd - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

On the nose, this flavourful wine has ripe blackberry aromas, as well as red licorice, violet, underwood, autumn leaves and sweet spice. On the palate, it has loads of dark berries and traces of black pepper. This wine is structured, has fresh acidity, and a long finish.

This would pair nicely with sharp flavoured cheeses, or with braised or roasted beef or game.

Tasted October 2017

Sean O'Regan - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

Medium garnet the nose showing a bit of volatile acidity, with notes of rose, strawberry, cherry and spice. Medium weight on the palate with cherry fruit, dried herb, fresh acidtiy and fine drying tannins. A good entry point at under $30 for Barolo. Pair with prime rib.
Fontanafredda portfolio tasting - Oct, 2017

Colin McKone - Sommelier rated this wine as 89/100 with the following review:

Light ruby with aromas of plum, cherry, rose and baking spices. Medium bodied and well balanced with flavours of raspberry, plum and black pepper leading into a medium finish. This will pair nicely with sharp cheeses or grilled red meats. Tasted on October 29, 2017.

1 Member would buy this wine again

Mike Cabana

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Fontanafredda Barolo 2013 Wine Review

Natalie's Score: 91/100

Pricing & Stock Information

Reviews and Ratings