2022 Luciano Sandrone 'Valmaggiore' Nebbiolo d'Alba

Red cherry and raspberry perfumes mix with rose petal and licorice, framed by a hint of pepper. On the palate, it is mid-weight and nicely structured with red cherry and blackberry fruit. It shows great sweetness in the mouth but is never cloying - it is a wine that speaks softly yet forcefully. The tannins are long, ripe, and very structured but delicately framed, and its long, dry finish ends with a mineral note—a candidate for aging.

"The 2022 Nebbiolo d'Alba Valmaggiore is quite the surprise, given the challenging conditions of the year. Sweet red cherry fruit, kirsch, mint, dried flowers, orange peel and cinnamon build effortlessly in the glass. Soft, silky contours wrap it all together in style. This is impeccably done." 93 Points, Antionio Galloni, Vinous

Made since 1994, Valmaggiore is a gem in Sandrone’s portfolio and one that should not be overlooked in 2022. Harvested between 15-23 September, the steep, south-facing slope required six separate passes to bring in fruit at optimal ripeness. Worth the painstaking effort, it soars with nutmeg- and cinnamon-infused cherry. There's a sweet, lustrous quality to the fruit, while background florals and citrussy rosehip tea lend further dimension. Long, silky tannins prop up the palate effortlessly. Engaging and friendly without being superficial. Top quality must-buy. (MM)" 93 Points, Decanter

"A vivid but transparent red color, the 2022 Nebbiolo D'Alba Valmaggiore is bright with aromas of candied cranberries, cinnamon, dusty earth, and fresh roses. Coming from a single vineyard in Roero, the wine is medium-bodied and ripe but retains great freshness and vibrancy, with terrific structure and a long, rather notable finish. An impressive entry to the Nebbiolo range, it offers a lot of fresh purity and is surprisingly light on its feet for the vintage. Drink 2024-2034." 93 Points, Jeb Dunnuck

"Very restrained on the nose, with licorice, smoky woodland and dried and ripe cherries. Firm tannins, a bit dusty on the mid-palate and austere on the finish, with refreshing acidity, a medium body and good fruit concentration. Drink now." 92 Points, James Suckling

Luciano Sandrone, one of Barolo’s defining figures, began as a teenage vineyard worker, saved enough to buy his first Cannubi parcel in 1977, and made his early wines in his parents’ garage while holding a full-time job. By 1999 he’d moved into his own winery, having spent two decades shaping a style that respects Barolo tradition while embracing careful, thoughtful updates. His wines sit between the region’s traditional and modern camps: generous and approachable when young yet firmly built for aging. Extremely low yields, meticulous vineyard work, and a measured cellar approach—medium-length macerations and mostly used 500-liter tonneaux—give his small-production wines their hallmark precision, balance, and lasting power.