Barolo (2018)
SommeliAI Insights
A classic Barolo with lifted red fruit, warm spice, and a long, firm finish that feels both graceful and grounded.
About this wine
Made from 100% Nebbiolo in Piedmont, this Barolo brings together fruit from multiple vineyards, a traditional approach that gives it a broad, complete feel rather than a single site profile. The nose leans into rose petal, red cherry, black licorice, and black pepper, with that unmistakable Barolo mix of perfume and earth. On the palate, it shows sour cherry, plum, anise, and a touch of orange peel, carried by fresh acidity and steady tannin. Casa E. di Mirafiore is one of the historic names of Barolo, tied to the old royal House of Savoy, and that sense of heritage comes through in a style that stays faithful to the region’s classic personality. What makes this bottle so appealing is the balance between floral lift, savory spice, and fruit that stays vivid all the way through the finish.
About the grape
Nebbiolo is an ancient Piedmontese grape known for its thin skins and high acidity, historically cultivated in the Langhe for centuries and long considered the sole variety of Barolo, with authorized clones including Lampia, Michet and Rosé. In Barolo production these clones are managed to preserve Nebbiolo's firm tannic structure and aromatic lift, and at Casa E. di Mirafiore the grape is vinified with long maceration on the skins and aged for two years in medium and large oak vessels to build texture without obscuring varietal character. The Mirafiore Barolo 2018 is made from 100 percent Nebbiolo selected from vineyards in Serralunga d Alba, situated around 300 to 350 meters above sea level on soils of Helvetian origin rich in clay and calcareous marl, which amplifies the variety's natural structure and longevity.
Quick facts
- 🍇 Casa E. di Mirafiore’s Barolo 2018 is sourced mainly from Serralunga d’Alba sites, a cru area famous for producing Nebbiolo with pronounced structure and long aging potential.
- 🛢️ The 2018 Barolo from Mirafiore is made with long maceration and then aged about two years in large and medium oak casks, a traditional approach that gives ripe fruit a sturdy backbone.
- 🌍 Casa E. di Mirafiore traces its winemaking roots to 1878 and was one of the earliest Barolo estates to export the wine internationally, so a bottle carries a piece of Barolo’s global history.
- 🏛️ The Mirafiore estate historically included a whole village with cellars, stables and even a small theater and library, and the winery still highlights this cultural legacy alongside its Barolo bottlings.
- 🔁 After periods of change and revival, the Mirafiore Barolos (including the 2018) were relaunched in the 21st century with modern custodianship that blends traditional technique with renewed vineyard selection, making the 2018 a bridge between old-school Barolo and a fresher, more approachable style.
Palate profile
Producer
Casa E. di Mirafiore was established in 1878 by Emanuele Alberto Guerrieri, Count of Mirafiore and son of Italy's first king, Victor Emmanuel II. Under his leadership, the winery gained international acclaim for its Barolo wines. The estate faced challenges during the Great Depression, leading to its closure in 1931. In 2008, the winery was revitalized by Oscar Farinetti, founder of Eataly, who restored its commitment to traditional winemaking and organic practices.
