About this wine
Vineyard and terroir
The 2020 vintage draws on Le Coste, Drucà and Rivassi, all in the commune of Barolo. Vite Talin originated with an old Nebbiolo vineyard facing the castle of Barolo. Its former owner, Natale—known as “Talin”—rented the parcel to Luciano Sandrone in 1987.
The selected vine differs visibly from conventional Nebbiolo: it has sparse, compact vegetation, low vigour and rough, thick, deeply indented leaves. Both its clusters and individual berries are smaller than average, with a pronounced powdery bloom and intense pigmentation. Its production is naturally moderate, and these characteristics remained consistent over successive seasons.
Grapes
100% Nebbiolo. Luciano first marked the distinctive vine in 1987 and continued observing and propagating it. Experimental work began in 1991, and wines from the plant repeatedly showed greater-than-average structure. DNA analysis completed in 2017 confirmed that it was Nebbiolo with particularly strong qualitative characteristics.
Vinification
The grapes are completely destemmed. A warm pre-fermentation maceration takes place under anaerobic conditions, followed by fermentation with indigenous yeasts in a 50 hl upright wooden cask. Total maceration lasts 20–35 days according to the vintage, with a submerged cap used when appropriate.
At the end of maceration, the wine is separated from the grape solids and transferred to steel for one week so the coarse lees can settle. It then moves into 500 l French oak tonneaux for malolactic fermentation.
Ageing
The wine spends two years in 500 l French oak tonneaux, more than half of them new to accommodate its substantial tannin structure. It is then transferred to large oval French oak casks for a further year. Bottling follows three total years in wood, after which the wine matures for another three years in bottle. Release therefore occurs six years after the vintage.
Technical data
The latest published vintage is 2020. It was harvested on 12 October from Le Coste, Drucà and Rivassi in Barolo and has 15% alcohol. Its recommended drinking window is 2030–2055.
Tasting profile
The broader Vite Talin profile combines an intense garnet colour with full, varied aromatics led by flowers and fruit, followed by emerging spice. It is structured and powerful, with substantial tannins and the capacity for extended cellaring.
The 2020 is dark, deep and layered. Its small, highly pigmented berries yield pronounced colour, power and structure, while its vinification is tailored to soften the clone’s formidable tannins. The nose presents fleshy black fruit and woodland-floor notes. Extended time in large casks contributes a subtle oak accent that frames the structure. The finish is long and ripe, with sweet tannins and mineral nuances. The wine already shows the harmony of the vintage but is expected to improve over the following 10–15 years before reaching its peak.
Vintage notes
The 2020 growing season alternated between extended warm and cold periods. A mild, relatively dry winter brought few genuinely cold days; January was largely sunny, while snow and rain arrived in mid-February. Unusually warm, dry weather in the first half of March was followed by colder conditions that slowed vegetative growth.
From April onward, cycles of four or five sunny days followed by one or two rainy days maintained useful water reserves for summer. Flowering took place under favourable conditions in May. Late-July heat was moderated by intermittent rain and the moisture accumulated in spring. September began with fair weather before storms cooled the area; subsequent warm, sunny days and cool nights supported gradual, even ripening.
Label / history
Vite Talin was developed over 25 years of trials, observation and critical evaluation. The first commercial release was the 2013 vintage, issued in 2019 after six years of maturation. “Vite” means vine in Italian and honours the singular plant; “Talin” commemorates Natale, the older grower who entrusted his vineyard to the young Luciano Sandrone.
The label emphasizes the wine’s central idea: the individual character of the grape is expressed more intensely than the terroir.
