The 2019 Azelia Barolo Margheria is a noteworthy expression of Nebbiolo from the Serralunga d'Alba sub-appellation in Piedmont, Italy. This red wine, produced by Azelia, showcases the distinct characteristics of its variety and terroir.
The wine has received high praise from several professional reviewers. Decanter awarded it a score of 96, noting its "concentrated, big and powerful" nature due to prolonged maceration and a 30-month aging period in botti. The review highlights its "freshness of sweet violet on the nose, with liquorice and smoky woodland notes and a pomegranate core." Decanter describes the palate as "graceful and powerful" with a floral character, concluding that it is "a great wine in a great vintage" (Decanter, 2/1/2023).
James Suckling gave the wine a score of 94, emphasizing its "very pure fruit with citrus, raspberry and green strawberry aromas and flavors." He describes the wine as having a "medium body, fine and fresh tannins and crisp finish," and suggests that it is "drinkable but better in two or three years" (James Suckling, 7/28/2023).
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded the wine 95+ points, noting its origins from a southwest-facing slope with poor soils, forcing the 65-year-old vines to push their roots deep. This wine, according to the review, has a "tight and very firm personality with dark fruit, rusty nail, dusty mineral and tight structure." The review emphasizes its age-worthiness, with 5,900 bottles released (Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, 8/24/2023).
Vinous gave the wine a score of 91, describing it as "laced with sage, menthol, licorice, underbrush, dried herbs and sage." The review mentions that while the wine is on the lighter side structurally for its cru, its persistence compensates for this (Vinous, 1/1/2023).
Wine Spectator rated the wine 93, commenting on its relatively open nature for the vintage. The review notes "bright cherry, raspberry, floral and cut hay flavors," and describes the wine as "balanced and more on the elegant side, despite a firm grip of tannins on the finish." The best drinking window is suggested to be from 2026 through 2042, with 600 cases made and 180 cases imported (Wine Spectator, 11/30/2023).
In summary, the 2019 Azelia Barolo Margheria is a well-crafted Nebbiolo with a range of complex aromas and flavors, praised for its concentration, elegance, and aging potential.