The 2019 Azelia Barolo San Rocco is a distinguished red wine made from the Nebbiolo grape, hailing from the renowned region of Piedmont, Italy, specifically the Barolo appellation within Serralunga d'Alba. This vintage has garnered significant praise from reputable wine critics, each awarding it a score of 94 points or higher.
Decanter describes the wine as being fermented with indigenous yeast and macerated for 40 days with a submerged cap, followed by 24 months of aging in large oak casks. The review highlights a "restrained, cherry kernel-like" fruit profile with "sweet violet, balsamic hints and rhubarb minerality." On the palate, it boasts "velvety tannins of significant extraction with long-lasting acidity," and is characterized as "restrained, mineral and of great austere elegance." Decanter’s review emphasizes the wine’s focus on its roots rather than its fruit.
James Suckling's review echoes the high praise, noting aromas of "lemon blossom with cherry and sliced strawberry" that lead to "a medium body with firm and lightly austere tannins and a bright finish." The wine also features hints of "cedar and orange peel" and is recommended to be enjoyed after 2027 for optimal softness and complexity.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate provides additional context, explaining that San Rocco is a small MGA with steep slopes and a protected microclimate, which contributes to the wine’s powerful nature. The 2019 vintage, with only 7,300 bottles produced, is described as "rigid and unyielding" at this stage, suggesting that it will benefit from further aging to fully express its potential.
Vinous offers a slightly different perspective, calling the 2019 Barolo San Rocco "an attractive wine that captures the mysterious, nuanced personality of Serralunga." The review mentions flavors of "dark cherry, plum, blood orange, exotic spice, cedar, and tobacco," and notes a preference for past vintages while acknowledging the 2019's undeniable appeal.
In summary, the 2019 Azelia Barolo San Rocco is a well-crafted wine that combines traditional winemaking techniques with the unique terroir of Serralunga d'Alba. It presents a complex array of flavors and aromas, supported by firm tannins and a bright finish, making it a wine with significant aging potential.