The 2019 Langhe Rosso is fabulous.

—Antonio Galloni, Vinous

Galloni calls Roagna’s Langhe Rosso “fabulous”, but longtime readers of this newsletter will already know that this stunning Piedmont gem is all that and more.

We’ve just received our allocation of Roagna’s Langhe Rosso, a wine which is part Barolo (see Flatiron's guide to Barolo), part Barbaresco, and entirely fabulous, oozing with Piedmont elegance and intensity.

Sourced from 20- to 25-year-old vines, the fruit for this modern-day classic is the same that goes into Roagna's vaunted Pira (Barolo) and Paje (Barbaresco) bottlings. And while not ancient, the vines are certainly not young. Most producers would be happy to label them Pira and Paje (with the kind of prices you’d expect from such legendary sites!), but Luca Roagna isn't most producers. 

Traditional in every sense, the Rosso is raised with the same care and almost fanatical attention to detail as are the top wines. With extremely long macerations and extended aging in traditional large wooden barrels, it could easily be mistaken for a proper Barolo or Barbaresco. In fact, the only reason this wine can't be labeled Barbaresco or Barolo is that wines from both DOCGs are blended together.

Much has been said about the fantastic 2019 vintage in both Barbaresco and Barolo, and as expected, Roagna’s 2019 Rosso is equally exquisite. It's wonderfully complex, with generous cherry fruit that gives way to classic Nebbiolo notes of rose petal, tobacco, and spice. It's in a great spot and drinking really well now, but it would also be a fantastic addition to your reasonable cellar.

Roagna Langhe Rosso 2019 - $51.99
"The 2019 Langhe Rosso is fabulous. It captures all the pedigree of this great vintage but in a slightly more open style (especially in its aromatics) that renders it quite approachable. Crushed flowers, dried cherry, spice, mint and sweet pipe tobacco are all nicely lifted. Already quite approachable, the 2019 is ready to go. The 2019 is Pira's young vines Nebbiolo. About two-thirds of the fruit is from Pira; the rest is Albesani, Gallina and Paje. Aging is a bit more than two years in cask, a touch less than in the past. 92 pts.” Antonio Galloni  (Vinous)