"Enrico Scavino and his two daughters, Enrica and Elisa, continue to produce outstanding Barolos year in and year out." – Wine Spectator "The Scavino family (Enrico and his daughters Enrica and Elisa) carry forth an important family legacy with a wide range of cru-specific wines that brilliantly exhibit individual styles." – Wine Advocate The most remarkable thing about Enrico Scavino is that even today, this man ever longs to make better Barolo. Generations at the helm of his family estate, founded in 1921, have already proven him a leader in the qualitative advances that have occurred in the Barolo area. And yet, he has never stopped the experimentation that has always kept him on the avant-garde of the Langhe area. He continues to vinify his wines parcel by parcel, taking advantage of these small fermentations to try to make better wines. In fact, in 2007 Enrico has even designed and fabricated his own fermentation vessel, used exclusively on his Barolo, to improve the finesse of extraction from his nebbiolo. Now with his daughters Elisa and Enrica working with him full-time, it would seem possible for this statesman--contemporary of Domenico Clerico and Elio Altare--to take a step back. Instead, Enrico's passion is further bolstered by the presence of the next generation! And speaking of family, I'd be remiss not to mention that Enrico's first cousin and neighbor is Luigi Scavino of Azelia fame. Alfonso, father of Luigi, and his brother Paolo, father to Enrico, divided ownership of the 11 hectare Scavino farm in the 1950s, giving each an equal share of the famed Fiasco hill. Castiglione Falletto lies in the very heart of the Barolo area -- its soils are of both tortonian and helvetian origins, stratified amongst each other. In other words, crus in Castiglione like Bric del Fiasc (or even Bricco Boschis for that matter) combine the elegance of Barolo and La Morra with the power of Serralunga and Monforte! The first vintage of Bric del Fiasc was 1978--as a Barolo Riserva--hence the release this year of the 30 year anniversary Bric del Fiasc Riserva 2008 (AG:97+). But Enrico never closed his eyes to the beauty of the neighboring communes: in 1985 he signed a long-term lease on a small parcel in Cannubi in Barolo. Next, in 1990, he acquired a piece of the famed Rocche Annunziata cru in La Morra. In 2002, with the help of Domenico Clerico, he purchased a piece of Bricco Ambrogio, the most renown vineyard in the commune of Roddi. And most recently in 2007 he added a piece of Monviglero, considered the grand cru of Verduno. Winemaking at the estate has evolved over time--but the one constant, even from the days of Enrica and Elisa's grandfather, was hygiene: the cleanliness of the winery and health of the grapes remain paramount. Technology has had its influence: Enrico recalls working the vineyards with oxen and horses, and said of the purchase of his first tractor "I couldn't have been happier if my father had gifted me a Ferrari!" In 1993, rotofermentors arrived at the estate, and between 1996-1999, Slavonian casks were replaced with French oak--but barriques here were always and only used for the first 10 months of aging to help fix color before the wines were transferred to larger oak botti. The percentage of new oak has been much reduced from a height of 30% from the 1990s to 2004, to only 20% new from 2004 – 2008, 17% new in 2011 & 2012, and for the 2015 harvest they have even reduced to a further 14% new. Quality control is crucial. Scavino could make more wine--but the estate chooses to sell off from 10-30% of the production in bulk to maintain their super high standards. This small family farm--which essentially started with 5.5 hectares--now manages 29 hectares of vineyards, and regularly finds itself classified amongst the other top estates of the region. The Skurnik Family is most excited to welcome Scavino back to our portfolio--tasting through the wines this fall was even more exciting than we could have imagined. And from that moment, we knew that their proper place was in our portfolio. A word on Scavino Barolo....All of the wines are subject to scrupulous care of the vineyards in order to grow healthy and high quality grapes. Yields are limited. Vinification and aging are the same for all of the non-riserva Barolo to emphasize the terroir of each site. Each cru & sub-cru is vinified separately in stainless steel. Native yeasts, temperature control during fermentation, 8 – 12 days maceration, 20 – 30 days of alcoholic fermentation. Selection of the best performing plots during the first year of aging. The under acheiving ones, depending on the vintage, are sold off in bulk. Aging 10 months in neutral French oak barrels, then 12 months in large casks, 10 months in stainless steel, 10 months in bottle before sale.
James Suckling 94 " A solid 2017 with a linear flow of fine tannins through the center of the wine providing structure and backbone that gives
Wine Enthusiast 95 "Heady aromas of wild berry, blue flower and graphite lift out of the glass on this fantastic red along with a hint of
James Suckling 96 # 83 Top 100 Italian Wines "The plums, dried strawberries and crushed stones pop out of the glass. Full-bodied and very layered with intense
James Suckling 97 # 48 Top 100 Italian Wines "Wow. What incredible purity to this on the nose with blackberries and raspberries and dark wood, such as
Wine Spectator 90 "Offers strawberry and cherry fruit flavors that are ripe and juicy, while accents of grass and hay add detail. Vibrant and harmonious, with
James Suckling 95 "Dried-berry and plum aromas with some toffee and cedar character on the nose, following through to a medium to full body. Its very
Vinous Media 95+ "The 2017 Barolo Prap is yet another stellar wine in this range. Dark and brooding in the glass, the Prap expresses all of
James Suckling 97 "Extremely perfumed with plums and dried flowers, as well as walnut and hazelnut undertones. It’s full-bodied with a solid core of fruit and
James Suckling 96 "A crystal clear Barolo with cherry, orange-peel and blueberry character. Really vivid. Full-bodied, but very tight and linear with superb length and
Wine Spectator 89 "An effusively fruity red, boasting cherry, black currant, iron and tobacco aromas and flavors. Succulent, and ends with a mouthwatering impression. Nebbiolo, Merlot,
James Suckling 100 "Wow! Theres so much going on here. The nose presents an intense mix of dried cherry and red-berry fruit and rose petals, together
Wine Spectator 92 "Black currant, violet and rosemary settle nicely into the succulent texture of this red. Firm and elegant, yet shows intensity and fine length.
Wine Advocate 91 "The Paolo Scavino 2019 Langhe Nebbiolo (in a screw cap bottle) shows a lean-bodied appearance and a pretty ruby hue. The wine is
Wine Spectator 92 "Black currant, violet and rosemary settle nicely into the succulent texture of this red. Firm and elegant, yet shows intensity and fine length.
Wine Spectator 92 "Black currant, violet and rosemary settle nicely into the succulent texture of this red. Firm and elegant, yet shows intensity and fine length.
Wine Advocate 92 "The Paolo Scavino 2018 Langhe Nebbiolo is a bright and sharp expression with high-toned aromas of sour cherry, raspberry, forest fruit and white
James Suckling 94 " A solid 2017 with a linear flow of fine tannins through the center of the wine providing structure and backbone that gives
The Wine 100% Nebbiolo from two single vineyards in the village of La Morra, Bricco Manescotto and Annunziata, which accentuate the more ethereal and finer Nebbiolo’s
Vinous Media 93 "The 2017 Barbera d'Alba Affinato in Carati is one of the best wines in its peer group - which is to say top-flight
Wine Advocate 97+ "Continuing in a tour de force presentation of some of the best growing sites in Barolo, the Scavino family introduces this, their second
Wine Advocate 96 "The Paolo Scavino 2016 Barolo Prap (with fruit from Serralunga d'Alba) opens to a beautifully saturated appearance with bold fruit aromas of black
Wine Advocate 98 "Drawing its fruit from Castiglione Falletto, the Paolo Scavino 2016 Barolo Bric dl Fiasc shows dimension, depth, precision and power. The wine opens
Wine Enthusiast 97 Cellar Selection "Iris, woodland berry, menthol and exotic spice scents shape the enticing nose. It's firm and elegantly structured, delivering red cherry, spiced cranberry
Wine Advocate 93 "Enrico Scavino is very happy with this wine and says its the best vintage he has ever made. I tend to agree. The
Wine Advocate 97 "Sadly, we are seeing the last vintages of this wine that is expected to be discontinued after the 2018 vintage. The Paolo Scavino