There’s no shortage of flash in Barolo these days, with sleek new cellars, soaring scores, crus that demand cult-like devotion. But in the hills of Castiglione Falletto, Azelia keeps to its rhythm—quiet, steady, deeply rooted. The Scavino family has worked this land for five generations, and their Barolo has never been about the spotlight. It’s about place. It’s about time.

Luigi and Lorenzo Scavino—father and son—don’t make a “normale” Barolo because they need a low cost Barolo to sell. They make it because they believe in the traditional art of the blend. Their 2020 is drawn from seven parcels across Castiglione and Serralunga, including some plots that feed their celebrated crus.

Nor is their “normale” a young vines blend. Some vines contributing here are more than 100 years old! You won’t see that on the label, but it comes across when tasting the depth and quiet authority of the wine. 

These entry-level Barolos are in a great spot right now. It was not a blockbuster vintage but rather, thanks to a fairly mild summer and cool September nights, a return to classism. There is a good amount of freshness here, as well as youthful energy and loads of that Nebbiolo purity that Barolo-heads crave. 

Although the winery has a deft touch with barriques, their normale is actually a fully old-school wine. Aside from the traditional practice of blending described above, they still do submerged cap fermentation, and they still age in large Slavonian casks. 

Azelia Barolo 2020 - $46.99
"With fruit blended from across seven vineyards, the Azelia 2020 Barolo has a savory character with aromas of dark fruit, scorched earth and campfire ash. The wine is lean and fresh in terms of mouthfeel, but it also shows the informality of this accessible and food-friendly vintage. In the case of this wine, it finishes with diluted flavors, but you still get the tart freshness of the Nebbiolo grape. This vintage is poised for near-term drinking. Production is 27,300 bottles. RP 91" - Monica Larner (Robert Parker)