2019 Luciano Sandrone Le Vigne Barolo 750 ml

Luciano Sandrone’s Le Vigne Barolo is one of the signature wines of Italy, made by “a transformational figure in Barolo who helped to elevate the wine to the worldwide status it enjoys today,” in the words of Parker’s Wine Advocate.

Sandrone was known for powerful wines that deliver deep fruit and surprisingly silky textures. In the outstanding 2019 vintage—one of Luciano’s last—Le Vigne earned 97+ points from the Advocate, 97 points from James Suckling, and 97 from Antonio Galloni at Vinous, who called it “pure and total seduction.” The chorus of critical praise is nearly unmatched.

“To say Sandrone was a titan of Barolo is a massive understatement. Sandrone defined an entire generation of Barolo growers.” Vinous founder Antonio Galloni sung the praises of the late Luciano Sandrone, who died in 2023, while reviewing the 2019 Le Vigne. And if one thing was constant in the Sandrone cellar, it was a commitment to constant innovation and improvement.

Unlike many of his peers, who were born into their vineyard holdings, Luciano and his wife purchased a little acreage to start their winery. They “almost immediately found remarkable balance, crafting Barolos that were decidedly modern in style and appealed to wine lovers reared on the classics,” in Galloni’s words.

Le Vigne has always been a blend of several incredible sites—Baudana in Serralunga d'Alba, Villero in Castiglione Falletto, Vignane in the town of Barolo, and Merli in Novello—which are carefully proportioned to deliver a harmonious experience. But in 2019, Sandrone gained access to two hectares of vines in Le Coste, a prized parcel that elevated the bottling to new heights.