Fontanafredda Serralunga D'alba Barolo 2013 Wine Review

Fontanafredda Serralunga D'alba Barolo 2013

Piedmont D.O.C.G., Italy

Community Score:91/100

Community Reviews: 18

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Price: $52.95

Drink: 2018-2025

Bottle size: 750 ml

Alcohol: 14%

Sweetness: Extra Dry

Wine Type: Red Wine

Winery: Fontanafredda

Agent: Philippe Dandurand Wines Ltd.

Natalie's Score: 93/100

A fabulous Barolo from a strong vintage. Not fruit forward but rather dust, smoke, tar, leather and earth. Good acidity for truffled risotto or wild boar. Some tannins still though they are taming. Decant 1-2 hours. Pair with truffle-accented meat dishes and wild game.

Barolo food pairings: hamburgers, aged cheese, venison, grilled beef, roast veal.

Glorious Game Wine

This Fontanafredda Serralunga D'alba Barolo 2013 was reviewed on May 22, 2018 by Natalie MacLean

More Vintages: 2020 2018 2015 2014 2007

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Pricing & Stock Information

LCBO
943290
$52.95
2,228 bottles

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Yonge & Summerhill

134

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Bloor & Royal York

102

Highway 7 & Weston

Cornwall & Trafalgar

Eglinton & Laird

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BCLDB
105650
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SAQ
11039461
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Reviews and Ratings

John Masur WSET 3, Sommelier rated this wine as 93/100 with the following review:

The soils of Serralunga D'Alba are from the Helvetian epoch that are less compressed, less sandy and older than the soils on the west of Barolo. It is known that the grapes from these soils make wine that takes more time to develop and are earthy in nature. This is a major distinction between this wine and the Barolo Tradition DOCG wine (silver label). The Serralunga D'Alba is floral on the nose with red fruits and underbrush. The light garnet colour is tinted with a bit of brick at the rim, and like most Barolo wines is a bit deceptive, hiding the medium-full flavours of cherry, leather, mushroom, spices and vanilla. The tannins are integrated with the high acidity and long finish but this wine is age worthy and will develop over several years. A great pairing with red meats and cheeses. This is available at SAQ now, otherwise you will need to wait until April 2018 for availability in Vintages.

Andrea Shapiro rated this wine as 93/100 with the following review:

The harvest for these grapes in the Serralunga D'alba region takes place 10-15 days earlier, which in turn, offers great ageing potential. A decadent pale ruby colour with a garnet hue with enveloping aromas of raspberry, strawberry, Violet, fresh tobacco and bay leaves also a touch of light skinned plum. Flavours evolve into cranberry, pomegranate, vanilla, milk chocolate and earthy mushroom truffles. High acidity and full bodied with rich grippy and full tannins. Very well-balanced. Age-ability is promising here. Delicious and complex. Looking forward to its release in March 2018! Will pair nicely with grilled steak, wild fowl dishes and braised beef with rich wild mushrooms. Tasted with Fontanafredda brand ambassador Alberto Frea - October 2017

Matt Steeves - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 93/100 with the following review:

A gorgeous Barolo from Fontanafredda that shows the beautiful visual paradox of fine Barolo wines...the King of Italian wines. Big structure, flavor, and texture, but with such a faint colour, reminiscent of cool climate Pinot Noir. This is a very impressive wine that I fell in love with after the first sip. First impressions can leave a lasting memory, and this Serrralunga D'alba Barolo certainly did. Rustic notes of mushroom, truffles, tea, leather, prunes, and autumn leaves showcase the complexity of this outstanding and very food friendly wine. An excellent wine to enjoy all year round and ideal for gifting and medium term cellaring. Drink 2017 to 2025. Tasted October 2017. 92+ points. Matt Steeves - www.quercusvino.ca

Colin McKone - Sommelier rated this wine as 93/100 with the following review:

Ruby in colour with aromas of plum, strawberry jam, vanilla, earth and baking spice with the red fruit and baking spice flavours coming through leading into a long plum finish. It is medium-full bodied and well balanced with well integrated tannins. This will pair well with grilled red meats and firm cheeses. Tasted on October 29, 2017.

David rated this wine as 93/100

Simon Chen rated this wine as 93/100 with the following review:

What a well-made barolo with great price. This barolo can be cellared for 15+ year to fully resolve the tannin. However, it is already approachable now. The bright cherry fruits give a nice roundness to the palate, and it is followed by long long tannin that will soak up all your saliva. If drink now, it will pair well with a big juicy steak!

Craig Kuziemsky rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

Cherry and cedar aromas with cherry, earth, raspberry and spice on the palate. Medium bodied and finishes with grippy tannins. Would pair well with grilled meats. Tasted May 2018.

Gwen Barton rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

A big wine. Rich aromas and flavours of leather, sweet tobacco and dark chocolate and cooked cherries. Some black pepper on the lengthy finish. Well-structured and very approachable for a young Barolo- but most certainly will only get better with few years in the cellar. Pair with pasta topped with shaved Parmesan and truffle infused olive oil. Tasted May 2018

Lori Kilmartin WSET3 - WSET3 Sommelier rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

If you tried the entry level Briccotondo Barolo and loved it (great price point!) you will definitely be drawn to try their next level Barolo - the Serralunga D'Alba! This will be in Vintages in the Spring of 2018 so be on the look out.

Earthy mushroom aromas with plenty of fruit; dried cherry, cedar and roses.This was grown in limestone and fine sand adding a touch of minerality. Tobacco and cherry on the palate with well integrated tannins. Very well balanced with the potential to age. Long fruit and earthy finish.

Paired this with truffle arancini that took everything to another level!! Tasted October 29/2017

Lynn Van Der Linde rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

The Serralunga D’Alba region happens to be the largest producer of Barolo for the Fontanafredda winery, and this 2013 vintage represents the 25th anniversary of this wine. The striped label is a nod to the once striped buidings that housed the first kings of Italy in the mid-19th century.

Brilliant garnet in the glass, aromas of forest floor, eucalyptus and dark charries transform into spicy cherry flavours and a lingering spicy finish.
Wonderful with a variety of meals, from charcuterie boards to holiday dinners.
Tasted October 2017.

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

More astringency to this wine vs. the Barolo DOCG, suggesting a little bit more time is needed in bottle to be truly enjoyed. Nevertheless this wine has lovely fresh and dried cherry notes, crushed red flowers, warm spice, and a hint of fresh mushroom. There is a distinct wooded, earthy note on the finish. 92 points. (www.ottawawinejournal.com)

Melanie Lloyd - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 91/100 with the following review:

This Red is pretty complex on the nose with dark berry aromas, autumn leaves, sweet spice, leather, fruit cake, and caramel.

On the palate, there are dark berry and tart plum flavours with a touch of wood and smoke at the finish. The tannins are pretty structured and nicely balanced by the fresh acidity. It is a lovely wine!

Tasted May 2018

Sharon Lécuyer rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Love the striped bottle. Beautiful big bouquet of leather, spice and cedar. With such a big nose, I was a bit disappointed that this taste wasn't as big. This wine dances on your tongue with a medium finish. You might want want to wait another year to open this one as I think it has a lot of potential!

Enjoy with a steak or a hearty tomato-based pasta dish.

Tasted May 9, 2018

Donna Hargrove rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Cultivated from the original vineyards surrounding the Fontanafredda winery, this Barolo is aged first for 1 year in small barriques, followed by another 2 years in large oak. The final stage is fa period of in-bottle aging, dependant on the vintage itself. The end result is a deep red wine, with vanilla and spices on the nose with a dry, balanced taste and a nice long finish. Available in LCBO Vintages in March of 2018, this is a wine to put on your special occasion list!

Tasted October 29, 2017

Pam Hatton rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Garnet in the glass with a complex dusty nose of cherry fruit, leather, spices, vanilla from ageing in barriques and casks and a touch of old rose - classic Barolo profile. The full bodied wine offers cherry fruit, leather and spices on the palate with good acidity, strong tannins, lots of legs and a long earthy finish. Would pair well with wild meat, bistecca fiorentina, Parmesan or other hard strong cheese.

Emilie Ryan rated this wine as 88/100 with the following review:

A good, Barolo to pair with a good steak…
Presentation: A distinctive, subtly fun (a cross between a referee uniform and stripped pyjamas) yet traditional, if that makes sense, label
Appearance: Pale garnet
Nose: Medium nose with notes of black licorice, dried fruit (raisins), dried cellar wood, and dark fruit
Taste: Dry, medium-full body, high acidity, sharp tannins, sour cherries, dirt/earth, leather, spices (black pepper)
Finish: long, sour, tart and dirty finish
Overall impression: Not as complex as some Barolos we’ve had but still very good. It needs food that has some depth, spice to it for a good pairing, like a steak with peppercorn sauce.
Value: 2.5/5

This is such a well-priced Barolo from Piedmont. Fontanafredda Serralunga d'Alba (2013) is everything you could ask for and find in a Barolo from a good vintage. Look for earthy violets, rose petals, smoke, leather and ripe red fruits on this age worthy, full-bodied muscular red. Decant two hours prior to serving or hold in cellar for another five years. - Community Wine Reviews

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Fontanafredda Serralunga D'alba Barolo 2013 Wine Review

Natalie's Score: 93/100

Pricing & Stock Information