Home Winners > Winners 2020 > North-West - Red (including Barolo & Barbaresco)

Winner Details

North-West - Red
(including Barolo & Barbaresco)

There was no way this area was going to replicate its incredible haul of 11 Golds last year, but my God it gave it a good go. This was a superb performance from a category that really seems to have hit the sweet spot over the past three years.

With quality across the wine styles extraordinarily high, drinkability was the factor that most often dictated whether or not a wine made it onto the Gold List. And even the Nebbiolos, Barolos and Barbarescos were better in this regard than they used to be.

It’s hard to pick a star style, but if we had to select one, it would probably be Barbera. It took nearly half the Golds and honestly, if we hadn’t reined our tasters in, it could have been twice that. Fantastic

From The Tasting Teams

‘You’ve really got to embrace the fact that these are high-tannin, dry-style wines, but the quality of the fruit is great. It’s lovely to see some restraint from the use of oak – it suits these styles of wine much better.’ Claire Love, Loves Consultancy

‘Selling a young Barolo isn’t very respectful to the wine.’ Dario Barbato, Individual Restaurants

‘With good Barolos it’s about how open and drinkable they are. We tried to avoid putting through wines that will take too long to come around.’ Charlie Young, team leader

‘The Barbarescos had a light, delicate touch of ripe red fruits. Really lovely wines. But value for money is part of the question with these. They’re very expensive.’ Vivienne Franks, Aspects of Wine

‘When I first started out in wine, I went to a tasting of Nebbiolo and didn’t have any cheeks left by the end. Now there are styles with softness.’ Michael Fiducia, Royal Automobile Club

‘Barbera is a very food-friendly grape that lends itself to weighty dishes. A lot of people would get a great deal of enjoyment from these wines.’ Nelio Pinto, Candlesticks

‘Nebbiolo is much more approachable than it has been in the past. It’s still expensive, still a hand-sell, but winemakers are achieving what they set out to do.’ Angela Reddin, team leader

‘I loved every single Barbera. They were beautiful, with great acidity: outstanding. Even the most expensive I’d want to put on a list – and would be able to sell it.’ Chiara Sieni, MM Grocery

Award winners

Found 58 wines

Italy: North-west, Red including Barolo/Barbaresco

Scarpa, La Bogliona, Barbera d'Asti Superiore 2013, Piedmont, Italy

Gold medal winner

'Everything you want from Barbera, and ready to put on a wine list, with great ripe fruit and great balance.'
Lionel Periner, team leader.

'Fresh, typical and pure, with some sour cherry and crushed violet notes.'
Deniz Bayram, Novel Wines.

'Fresh, ripe red fruits, some dry leaf aromatics and baking spice, along with well-integrated oak.'
Sam Winterbottom, The Albert Square Chop House.

£26.00 Carson Wines

Amalia, Barbera d'Alba, Superiore 2016, Piedmont, Italy

Gold medal winner

'Complex and aromatic, this is a fresh and grainy wine, with good length too.'
Jan Konetzki, team leader.

'Thyme and red cherry notes, accompanied by some rich, velvety tannins, and some subtle cinnamon spice.'
Sam Winterbottom, The Albert Square Chop House.

'Well-integrated and balanced, with some good, soft tannins and a long finish.'
Rui Pereira, Cavalry and Guards Club.

£19.00 Jeroboams

Enrico Serafino, Barolo 2015, Piedmont, Italy

Gold medal winner

'Complex, juicy and super stylish, this has an ethereal, savoury nose of cherries and tar, with a great lift of acid and more savoury notes and dark fruit on the palate, along with ploughed earth and sweet spice notes.'
Chris Delalonde MS, The Dorchester.

'Petals and berries, with some good acidity and great tannins, and a fluent finish returning to cherry notes. A safe bet at this price.'
Alonso Abed, Trivet.

£25.43 Matthew Clark

Enrico Serafino, Picotener, Langhe Nebbiolo 2017, Piedmont, Italy

Gold medal winner

'A cracking, accessible wine with black fruit, spice and a touch of rose petal, and more ripe black fruit running through the palate - with tannins and acidity cuddling it lovingly.'
Charlie Young, team leader.

'Good concentration here, with ripe black fruit balanced by crisp acidity, along with sweet spices and smoke, and a leathery, savoury element too.'
Savvas Symeonidis, Goodman Restaurant Mayfair.

£19.72 Matthew Clark

Michele Chiarlo, Reyna, Barbaresco 2016, Piedmont, Italy

Gold medal winner

'A modern, dry and textural wine, with garrigue, black cherries and rosehips.'
Claire Love, Loves Consultancy.

'A super-elegant nose and a very floral and delicate palate, with cherry compote and rosehip, silky tannins and good balance of acidity.'
Mikolaj Harmider, Cava Spiliadis Collection and Simpsons Restaurant.

'A rich, spicy and evolved wine, with baked red plums and black cherries.'
Vivienne Franks, Aspects of Wine.

£28.48 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Il Cascinone, Crocera, Barbera d'Asti Superiore 2017, Piedmont, Italy

Gold medal winner

'Dried herb notes accompanied by some red cherry and raspberry, with good length and acidity.'
Chiara Sieni, MM Grocery.

'A structured wine, with some spice and really good balance.'
Rui Pereira, Cavalry and Guards Club.

'Some bright fresh berry notes, as well as forest fruit coulis.'
Sue Jones, The Harrow at Little Bedwyn.

'A well-made wine with dark fruit notes.'
Jan Konetzki, team leader.

£6.95 Boutinot

Boroli, Barolo Classico 2013, Piedmont, Italy

Gold medal winner

'A stunning nose of rose petal, dried red apple and dry leaves, with hints of tar. This is definitely starting to show signs of development on the medicinal palate, with lovely, really settled tannins.'
James Fryer, team leader.

'With cherry, truffle, cigar box and strawberry on the nose, and beautifully integrated tannins, this is a match for pheasant with truffle.'
Filippo Pastorini, consultant.

£35.69 Top Selection

Tomaso Gianolio, Barbera d'Alba Superiore 2017, Piedmont, Italy

Gold medal winner

'A very attractive wine, with dried berry notes and a savoury Italian character.'
Deniz Bayram, Novel Wines.

'This has some luscious fresh berry notes, with some well-balanced spice and weight.'
Sue Jones, The Harrow at Little Bedwyn.

'A well-balanced wine with good freshness.'
Lionel Periner, team leader.

'A combination of blackberries, cherries and dry spice.'
Sam Winterbottom, The Albert Square Chop House.

£12.96 Top Selection

Dezzani, Albarossa 2017, Piedmont, Italy

Gold medal winner

'Dark berries and some floral aromatics, with purple berry notes showing through on the nose, with riper dark berry fruit on the palate.'
Carolina W Seibel, Comptoir Cafe and Wine.

'Dark plums and deep floral notes lead to a fresh palate with fine structure.'
Michael Fiducia, Royal Automobile Club.

'Smooth and gentle, this is a good expression of Barbera.'
Mattia Mazzi, Cornerstone.

£10.30 Eurowines

Montestregone, Dolcetto d'Acqui 2016, Piedmont, Italy

Silver medal winner

'Chewy, tannic and gum-smacking, this is a delicious red that would be a great by-the-glass option.'
Michael Driscoll, Careys Manor Hotel & SenSpa.

'Structured, in a classical style, with some lovely voluptuous red fruit. A good all-round wine.'
Michael Driscoll, Careys Manor Hotel & SenSpa.

£8.90 LWC Drinks

Banfi, La Lus 2017, Piedmont, Italy

Silver medal winner

'Smoky and malolactic, with dark ripe berries, some herbal notes, juniper aromatics, notes of black pepper and concentration with high acidity.'
Carolina W Seibel, Comptoir Cafe and Wine.

'A generous wine with tomato leaves and a lot of cherries on the nose, with lovely, traditional tannins and a sweet finish.'
Mattia Mazzi, Cornerstone.

£13.68 Louis Latour Agencies

Ceretto, Bernardina, Nebbiolo d’Alba 2017, Piedmont, Italy

Silver medal winner

'A soft summer berry basket with notes of flint, mushroom, truffle and Christmas cake spice, and a palate that's complex yet subtle, clean and elegant.'
Angela Reddin, team leader.

'A big, bold red typical of Nebbiolo from this region - earthy and leathery, with some spices from the oak.'
Aurore Anguenot, Aviary.

£15.97 Mentzendorff & Co

Bruno Rocca, Barbaresco, Rabaja 2016, Piedmont, Italy

Silver medal winner

'Seamless, complex and lifted, with sweet fruit, big acidity and tight tannins.'
Charlie Young, team leader.

'A highly perfumed, decadent, spicy and intense wine, with herbaceous notes, white spice and hints of vanilla interwoven with rosehip and sour cherry. A very complex and textural wine.'
Claire Love, Loves Consultancy.

£63.25 Liberty Wines

G.D. Vajra, Barbera d'Alba 2018, Piedmont, Italy

Silver medal winner

'A nice straightforward and fruity style with a light body.'
Lionel Periner, team leader.

'A very fresh character with red cherries, cranberry compote, vanilla and cinnamon.'
Sam Winterbottom, The Albert Square Chop House.

'Complex, full, fresh and bold.'
Jan Konetzki, team leader.

£15.30 Liberty Wines

G.D. Vajra, Albe, Barolo 2016, Piedmont, Italy

Silver medal winner

'Fresh, crunchy cherry notes with cinnamon, black tea and dried mushroom on the nose, leading to good acidity and fine-grained tannins on the palate, and a long, fruit-driven aftertaste. This is one to match with wild boar.'
Filippo Pastorini, consultant.

'A beautiful rose-petal nose and a structured palate with fine tannins.'
Martin Lam, team leader.

£28.95 Liberty Wines

Michele Chiarlo, Cannubi, Barolo 2012, Piedmont, Italy

Silver medal winner

'Big, rich and brooding, with soft fruit and good complexity and balance - an earthy and powerful wine.'
Daniel Eriksen, Anglian Country Inns.

'Lovely red fruit, liquorice, black pepper and truffle on the nose, leading to a palate that's powerful and elegant at the same time, with silky tannins.'
Gaetano Giangaspero, C&C.

£61.09 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Michele Chiarlo, La Court, Barbera d'Asti Superiore Nizza 2015, Piedmont, Italy

Silver medal winner

'A rich, leathery texture with beautiful tannic structure, showing notes of ripe pomegranate, red cherry and some strawberries.'
Sam Winterbottom, The Albert Square Chop House.

'Sour cherry notes, with some dried strawberries too, and a herbaceous element with thyme and sage. Very complex, with rounded tannins.'
Deniz Bayram, Novel Wines.

£38.82 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Boroli, Barbera d'Alba 2016, Piedmont, Italy

Silver medal winner

'A full wine with some smoky, dark fruit.'
Jan Konetzki, team leader.

'A spicy, intense and oaky wine.'
Rui Pereira, Cavalry and Guards Club.

'This has notes of fresh, rich berries and smoky game.'
Sue Jones, The Harrow at Little Bedwyn.

'Stewed forest fruits with some rosemary notes, and a smoky finish.'
Sam Winterbottom, The Albert Square Chop House.

£16.75 Top Selection

Cordero di Montezemolo, Funtanì, Barbera Superiore 2017, Piedmont, Italy

Silver medal winner

'A well-made wine with some juicy fruit and elegant tannins.'
Lionel Periner, team leader.

'Fresh, grippy and oaky, there is good tension between acidity and body, and notes of vanilla and sweet spices. A super-smooth wine that's really well made.'
Rui Pereira, Cavalry and Guards Club.

£32.95 Eurowines

Lo Zoccolaio, Ravera, Barolo Riserva 2013, Piedmont, Italy

Bronze medal winner

'Good floral lift, spicy oak and herbaceousness, with good ripeness and fruit sweetness that sits nicely with the tannins and acidity, helping the finish to carry more fruit.'
Charlie Young, team leader.

'Great nose and palate complexity, with balance and some pleasant intensity and texture.'
Dario Barbato, Individual Restaurants.

£36.37 Matthew Clark

Conte Vistarino, Bertone, Pinot Nero 2015, Lombardy, Italy

Bronze medal winner

'This has a big personality, with an expressive and mature nose of very ripe red fruits, and plenty of sweet spices like cloves and vanilla.'
Juan Manuel Marcos Perez, The Gilbert Scott Restaurant.

'A gentle and modern interpretation of the grape variety, this is really well done.'
Mattia Mazzi, Cornerstone.

£30.36 Eurowines

Conte Vistarino, Tavernetto, Pinot Nero 2016, Lombardy, Italy

Bronze medal winner

'A refreshing wine that's floral and light on the nose, bursting out of the glass. Leathery, dry and smoky on the palate, following through well.'
Michael Driscoll, Careys Manor Hotel & SenSpa.

'A complex nose of red cherries, spices and herbs, with a fresh, crisp palate.'
Michael Fiducia, Royal Automobile Club.

£23.63 Eurowines

Anna Maria Abbona, San Bernardo, Dogliani Superiore 2016, Piedmont, Italy

Bronze medal winner

'This has some dried herb notes along with some black fruit and tar, a leathery character and big tannins.'
Rui Pereira, Cavalry and Guards Club.

'Showing some leafy aromas with soft cloves and mint.'
Nelio Pinto, Candlesticks.

'Intense, with blackcurrant notes - this is grippy and fresh.'
Jan Konetzki, team leader.

£18.30 Az. Agr. Abbona Anna Maria

Marenco, Bassina, Barbera d'Asti 2018, Piedmont, Italy

Bronze medal winner

'A typical savoury Barbera with notes of red berries and blueberries.'
Deniz Bayram, Novel Wines.

'There's complexity shown here by spice notes integrated with crunchy red fruit like strawberry and cherry, with lean acidity. A genuine wine.'
Chiara Sieni, MM Grocery.

£10.48 Marenco

Bruno Rocca, Barbaresco, Curra 2016, Piedmont, Italy

Bronze medal winner

'Pronounced intensity of ripe black fruit and berries, with well-integrated alcohol, sweet spice, pepper and tobacco, and some velvety tannins with great concentration and a long finish.'
Savvas Symeonidis, Goodman Restaurant Mayfair.

'An elegant, evolved style with red berry fruits and some soft, ripe tannins.'
Vivienne Franks, Aspects of Wine.

£62.17 Liberty Wines

Scarpa, Bric du Nota, Nebbiolo d'Alba 2017, Piedmont, Italy

Bronze medal winner

'Beautiful red-cherry aromas and flavours here, with a bit of earthiness and some incredible crunchy tannins.'
Nuno Pereira, Theo Randall at the InterContinental Hotel.

'A mineral and floral nose with some tertiary notes and a slightly balsamic note, plus some spices, and a dry, fresh palate with lots of red fruits and spices.'
José Hernandez, Hakkasan.

£14.00 Carson Wines

Scarpa, Rouchet, Monferrato Rosso 2016, Piedmont, Italy

Bronze medal winner

'Ethereal, with both red and dark berries, as well as some juniper and white blossom, and more ripe cassis and drying tannins on the palate, with high acidity that's pleasantly balanced.'
Carolina W Seibel, Comptoir Cafe and Wine.

'Perfumed, with some cocoa powder notes - one for premium restaurants.'
Elena Serban, Heritage Restaurant.

£22.00 Carson Wines

Massolino, Barolo 2016, Piedmont, Italy

Bronze medal winner

'With intense ripe blackberry fruit, this is a spicy, rich and tannic style.'
Vivienne Franks, Aspects of Wine.

'Complex and leathery, with some tar notes alongside silky fine tannins.'
Martin Lam, team leader.

'Notes of wet leaves, mushrooms, rose petals and a balsamic note of eucalyptus, with vibrant acidity that makes this juicy and easy-drinking, in spite of its young age.'
Filippo Pastorini, consultant.

£29.95 Liberty Wines

Cantine Scolari, Posone, Rosso Superiore, Riviera del Garda Classico 2017, Lombardy, Italy

Bronze medal winner

'Candied red berries with some earthy notes showing, this is juicy and bright, with additional cranberries and ripe raspberries.'
Carolina W Seibel, Comptoir Cafe and Wine.

'A pretty nose of fresh cherry with lifted floral notes, and a clean palate with lovely freshness.'
Michael Fiducia, Royal Automobile Club.

£11.13 CANTINE SCOLARI SRL

Vietti, La Crena, Barbera d'Asti Superiore 2015, Piedmont, Italy

Bronze medal winner

'Round, plush dark fruit and sour cherry, with some soft, plump tannins. This is nice and ripe, without too much oak, and with a touch of savouriness.'
Deniz Bayram, Novel Wines.

'Notes of stewed plums, lavender aromatics, cassia and softer spices.'
Sam Winterbottom, The Albert Square Chop House.

£33.16 Bibendum

Vietti, Barolo Castiglione 2015, Piedmont, Italy

Bronze medal winner

'Sweet red cherry notes with tannins that are rounded, velvety and very pleasant, and an elegant finish that's not too intense but persistent.'
Monica Bacchiocchi, Wiltons.

'Dense black-cherry fruit with a touch of marzipan, leading to gentle fruit with brisk acidity on the palate. Well-made.'
Nigel Lister, St. Swithins Wine Shippers.

£40.00 Bibendum

Ascheri, Barolo 2015, Piedmont, Italy

Bronze medal winner

'With rich, ripe and earthy cherry notes with a silky smooth texture, this is good value.'
Daniel Eriksen, Anglian Country Inns.

'Elegant, fresh red-berry fruit with some soft ripe tannins, crisp acidity and lovely balance.'
Vivienne Franks, Aspects of Wine.

'Floral, meaty and poised, with fine acidity and lovely fruit.'
Martin Lam, team leader.

£24.88 Enotria&Coe

Boroli, Barbaresco 2015, Piedmont, Italy

Bronze medal winner

'With its bone-dry sour cherries, there's precise fruit here, with garrigue notes, textural acidity and smoky oak, and good concentration on the finish.'
Claire Love, Loves Consultancy.

'An elegant nose with rose notes but also herbal hints of mint and basil, with ripe red cherries and high acidity.'
Mikolaj Harmider, Cava Spiliadis Collection and Simpsons Restaurant.

£25.84 Top Selection

Boroli, Barolo Cru Brunella 2013, Piedmont, Italy

Bronze medal winner

'This works on every level - soft and savoury, full and luscious, with a beautiful finish.'
Sue Jones, The Harrow at Little Bedwyn.

'Complex and elegant mature red-berry fruit, with soft, well-integrated tannins, and delicate acidity, fruit and balance.'
Vivienne Franks, Aspects of Wine.

£88.72 Top Selection

Lo Zoccolaio, Suculé, Barbera d'Alba 2016, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

£12.45 Matthew Clark

Vite Colte, La Luna e i Falò, Barbera d'Asti Superiore 2017, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

£12.00 VinumTerra

Pelassa, San Pancrazio, Barbera d’Alba 2017, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

Pelassa, Sot, Nebbiolo D’Alba 2015, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

Costaripa, Campostarne 2016, Lombardy, Italy

Commended medal winner

£13.08 Alivini

Massolino, Barolo Margheria 2016, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

£53.90 Liberty Wines

Luca Bosio, Barbera d'Asti 2018, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

£7.95 Jeroboams

Bel Colle, Dolcetto d'Alba 2018, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

£9.85 Jeroboams

Bel Colle, Verduno Pelaverga 2018, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

£12.65 Jeroboams

La Bioca, Ronchi, Barbaresco 2016, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

£19.90 Jeroboams

La Bioca, Aculei, Barolo 2014, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

£22.70 Jeroboams

Cantina Bottenago, Botenacha, Riviera del Garda Classico 2018, Lombardy, Italy

Commended medal winner

Amalia, Coste di Montforte, Barolo 2015, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

£29.50 Jeroboams

L''Astemia Pentita, Barolo, Cannubi 2016, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

L''Astemia Pentita, Barolo, Terlo 2016, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

L''Astemia Pentita, Barolo, Cannubi Riserva 2014, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

Michele Chiarlo, 16 Mesi Le Orme, Barbera d'Asti 2017, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

Michele Chiarlo, Tortoniano, Barolo 2015, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

Vietti, Perbacco, Langhe Nebbiolo 2017, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

£18.70 Bibendum

Castel del Lupo, Della Quercia, Pinot Nero, Organic 2018, Lombardy, Italy

Commended medal winner

£8.35 Boutinot

Marchesi di Grésy, Barbaresco Martinenga 2016, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

£40.00 Boutinot

Angelo Negro, Barbaresco Basarin 2016, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

£30.43 Enotria&Coe

Dezzani, Gli Scaglioni, Barbera d'Asti Superiore 2013, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

£32.75 Eurowines

Cordero di Montezemolo, Monfalletto, Barolo 2016, Piedmont, Italy

Commended medal winner

£35.45 Eurowines