Date of visit: June 2, 2023
With the release of 2021 Barolo just around the corner, we’re trying our best to catch up on our notes from our 2023 and 2024 visits to Piedmont. We’ve wanted to post about these visits for a very long time, but unfortunately never had the time to do so.
We visited La Bioca on June 2, 2023. This is a newer producer to the area whose first vintage was 2012. The winery is located in Serralunga d'Alba, and they have holdings in Monforte d'Alba, Novello, La Morra, and Barbaresco. Annual production is approximately 75,000 bottles per year.
Their winemaker, Igor, took us for an in depth tour of their winemaking facilities, and we concluded with a tasting of their wines. In the cellar Igor showed us the various different vessels he’s using for aging their wines; wooden barrels which vary in size and age, stainless steel tanks, amphora, and a hybrid sort of vessel which is made of partially wood and partially stainless steel.
It’s worth mentioning that Igor takes some incredible pictures and videos of Langhe which he posts to his account @barololifestyle. Be sure to check out his page.
Our Tasting Notes
2022 Rossese Bianco: This was our first time tasting a wine made from the grape “Rossese Bianco”. Igor explained that this grape is originally from Liguria, and that some producers in Monforte d’Alba are producing wine from it. The nose is lively and energetic, delivering pronounced aromas of lemon pith, chamomile, wild white flowers, herbs, grass, and mineral notes. The palate is filled with tart citrus driven flavors accented by vanilla, with an inner sweetness, and an almost oily like mouthfeel.
2020 Chardonnay: Fruit comes from La Bioca’s holdings in Barolo. 100% whole cluster fermentation. Malolactic fermentation takes place in 2 batches; partially in 15HL large tanks and partially in barriques. After malo is complete, the 2 batches are blended. Aromas of chamomile, candied sugar, bananas, lemon, and apple. The plate is round and oily in texture, with tart flavors which finish long and expansive.
2020 “Daje Mach” Verduno Pelaverga: Pronounced aromas of crushed raspberries and strawberries with nuances of rosemary and bubblegum. The palate is round and refined delivering flavors of white and black pepper, crushed cranberries, and cherries.
2021 “La Pipina” Nebbiolo d’Alba: Igor explained that they leave grapes hanging in the vineyard for a long time for this wine to concentrate the wine's flavors. 25% whole cluster fermented. Vinification and aging both take place in amphora. The nose is floral and filled with aromas of roses, crushed cherries, herbs, and tar. The palate is tart and structured, but approachable and enjoyable today.
2019 Barolo “Aculei”: Aromas of tar, resin, sun dried tomatoes, black pepper, cigar box, and a faint hint of cola and bubblegum. The palate is filled with crushed cherries, herbs, spices, tobacco, chocolate, espresso, and black tea.
2019 Barolo Ravera: Made entirely from La Bioca’s holdings in the Ravera MGA located in Novello. Aromas of dill, parsley, tobacco, cigar box, and crushed cherries, which carry over to the palate, and are complemented by firm rustic tannins.
Thank You
Grazie mille Igor for the wonderful tasting! We hope to see you soon! Until then, we’ll continue to follow along on Instagram, and dream of Langhe! 🙂
For more information please visit La Bioca's website here.
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