Santa Vittoria Barolo 2019

Old-school Barolo from a five-star classic vintage.

Cantine del Castello di Santa Vittoria makes Barolo the traditional way: Nebbiolo from vineyards across the appellation's historic communes, fermented eight to ten days on the skins, then raised at least two years in large Slavonian and French oak casks and rested a further twelve months in bottle before release. No barriques, no shortcuts — the clean, austere, structured school of Barolo.

And 2019 is exactly the vintage that style was built for. Decanter's Aldo Fiordelli rated it five stars and called it a classic — the structured, traditional kind that producers compare to 2013 and 2016. Wine Enthusiast's Jeff Porter found ripe cherries, rose petals and a hint of tar, calling it a quintessential expression that will evolve beautifully, with a drinking window running to 2035.

Real Barolo, from a five-star year, at $60.99. Thirty-four bottles. This is the bottle you buy six of and forget in the cellar.