Barolo Riserva Speciale (1964)

About this wine

This is a Barolo made from Nebbiolo grapes grown in La Morra, the Serradenari site associated with Dosio Vigneti, a producer established in the 1970s in the Barolo zone. In the glass the wine typically shows evolved red fruit notes of dried cherry and plum, together with tertiary aromas of leather, tobacco, cedar, and a faint tar note that is classic for aged Nebbiolo. The palate is supported by the variety's natural high acidity, while the tannins have usually softened after decades in bottle, giving a velvety texture with a lingering, savory finish. As a Riserva Speciale it implies extended aging beyond the legal minimum for Barolo, a practice that historically produced more concentrated and long lived bottles. Bottles of this vintage and bottlings under the Dosio name are found in specialist listings and appear with label and fill level notes typical of aged Barolo, so expect some bottle variation and deposit.

About the grape

Nebbiolo is an indigenous Piedmont grape with a documented history in the region from the medieval era, its name likely linked to the autumn fog that settles over the Langhe during its late October harvest. In Barolo bottlings like this one, Nebbiolo is cultivated on calcareous marl soils and higher elevation sites, for example vineyards around Serradenari at about 500 meters where producers such as Dosio work, because those conditions help the variety ripen slowly and develop structure. Winemakers for Riserva style Barolo traditionally use long macerations and extended cellar aging to tame Nebbiolo's high acidity and firm tannins, so in this bottling the grape would be handled to emphasize long term aging and expression of its terroir.

Quick facts

• 🏔️ Dosio’s Barolos come from Serradenari, the highest point in the Barolo zone at about 500 meters, so a 1964 Dosio captures grapes from one of the coolest, highest Langhe sites.
• 🕰️ A Dosio 1964 predates the winery’s modern revival under the Lanci family (new stewardship began in 2010), so any 1964 bottle is a relic of the estate’s earlier, pre-revival era.
• 🏷️ The words “Riserva Speciale” were often used historically as a house’s prestige label rather than a legally standardized category, so each producer’s 1964 Riserva Speciale can mean something different and collectible.
• 🍷 Serradenari’s altitude and slow ripening Nebbiolo encourage long aging, which is why some 1964 Barolos from this hill can still show structure and evolved, surprising complexity decades later.
• 🔍 Vintage-1964 Barolo Riserva Speciale bottles frequently appear on the collector market with widely varying fill levels and label conditions, so provenance and bottle condition can change both drinkability and curiosity value dramatically.

Palate profile

Producer

Dosio Vigneti, established in 1974, is situated in the heart of Italy's Langhe region, specifically on the Serradenari hill in La Morra, the highest point of the Barolo appellation. The winery is housed in a meticulously restored 18th-century farmhouse, offering panoramic views of the Cuneo and Turin plains, extending to the Maritime Alps and Monte Rosa massif. In 2010, the Lanci family revitalized the estate, expanding its vineyards to over 15 hectares, including prestigious Barolo crus such as Serradenari, Fossati, and Bussia. Committed to sustainability, Dosio Vigneti employs integrated pest management and low-impact winemaking techniques, earning the SQNPI certification for sustainable production. In 2023, they further enhanced their offerings by opening the Antica Dimora Dosio resort, providing guests with an immersive experience in the Langhe's wine culture.