From: Piemonte, Italy
Varietal: Nebbiolo
Taste & Critical Acclaim: Paolo Scavino is an excellent producer of Piedmont wines (though most well-known for their Barolo’s) who sometimes gets overlooked in our market because they’ve made beautiful and affordable wines without being “cool.” These wines don’t have flashy labels or prices, but they’re timeless and (in my humble opinion) fantastic. The 2019 vintage is an especially lovely year for Piedmont/Barolo/Nebbiolo fans. Unlike the bombastic nature of the 2018 vintage or the earthy, rustic feel of the 2017 vintage upon first release (drinking beautifully now), 2019 is ethereal, elevated, and pretty. A vibrant expression of Barolo with exquisite red fruits (raspberry, cherry, & strawberry notes galore) that meet rose petals, mandarin orange zest, warm leather, freshly dried herbs, and a hint of anise.
The 2019 Paolo Scavino Barolo blends Nebbiolo from seven meticulously selected vineyards. This Barolo is crafted with the same attention to detail as their cru wines, emphasizing the unique terroir of each site. Its tasting notes, as reviewed by Wine Spectator and Jeb Dunnuck, reveal a complex and vibrant wine with a tapestry of flavors ranging from cherry and raspberry to floral and earthy tones, supported by a structure of refined tannins and a lingering, mineral-tinged finish.
96 points Kerin O'Keefe
Absolutely gorgeous, the 2019 Barolo from Paolo Scavino stuns with its fragrance of perfumed berry, dark spice, Alpine herb and dog rose. One of best entry level Barolos from the vintage, it’s focused, vibrant and savory, delivering crushed mint, star anise, cranberry, red cherry and blood orange. Elegant and taut, it boasts polished tannins while bright acidity imparts vibrancy and tension. (4/2023)
92 points Jeb Dunnuck
Pouring a jeweled ruby hue, the 2019 Barolo is lovely and detailed, with floral perfume and notes of candied roses, raspberry preserves, and sweet baking spices. This medium-bodied red is mouthwatering from the start and is balanced with ripe red berries, orange peel, and cinnamon. Fine yet present tannins are propelled forward by fresh acidity and a mineral-tinged finish. I continue to be impressed with the direction this estate has been heading in, and this wine is certainly no exception, lending great insight into the work they have put in. (AF) (5/2023)
Pairing: Barolos like this one is so easy to pair that it becomes difficult due to the sheer number of choices. The 2019 Scavino Barolo Normale’s friendly fruit and sleek tannins allow easy weeknight pairings in dishes like roasted chicken with any number of iterations: roasted thighs with winter squash, thrice-roasted with rosemary, lemon, and pepper, roasted with harissa or paprika, served in a Provençal-inspired roast, as confit, and even as a BBQ. We’ve said it before, but it is 100% worth it to frequent your local butcher and fine food purveyor to source the ingredients for these dishes. Of course, anything with Nebbiolo as its main grape varietal shines with anything mushroom. Our favorites are to pair this with (mushroom as a main ingredient) risotto, polenta (recipe below), grits, and gnocchi. Lastly, its structure and intense flavors harmonize beautifully with rich and hearty dishes like Rib Eye Steak, Prime Rib, Venison Stew, or the tenderness of Osso Buco and Veal Chops.
Polenta With Wild Mushrooms and Marinara Sauce
By Martha Rose Shulman
About. In Castiglione Falletto, the Paolo Scavino winery, established in 1921 by Lorenzo Scavino and his son Paolo, represents a family's enduring passion for winemaking. Today, the fourth generation is represented by Enrico Scavino and his daughters Enrica and Elisa.
With 70 years of meticulous cultivation, Enrico Scavino has become synonymous with exploring and expressing the Barolo region's unique terroirs. His quest for excellence led him to acquire some of the most historic vineyards in the area, each cultivated with Nebbiolo for Barolo. The family's 30 hectares, spanning the villages of Castiglione Falletto, Barolo, La Morra, Novello, Serralunga d’Alba, Verduno, Roddi, and Monforte d’Alba, showcase the diversity and uniqueness of each site.
The Scavino philosophy centers on the supremacy of viticulture over enology, a belief firmly rooted in the care and nurturing of the vines to yield ripe, healthy grapes. This approach, coupled with minimal, equal intervention in winemaking, has been a hallmark of their practice, preserving each terroir's natural diversity and distinctiveness.
Enrico Scavino's relentless pursuit of perfection and innovation in Barolo's production has been recognized and lauded by critics and connoisseurs alike. Wine Spectator and Wine Advocate have praised the family's ability to produce exceptional Barolos year after year, each reflecting the individuality of its cru. Scavino's dedication to his craft is evident in his continued experimentation and innovation, including designing and creating a unique fermentation vessel in 2007, enhancing the finesse of extraction from the Nebbiolo grapes.
The winery's history is deeply intertwined with the terroir of Castiglione Falletto, where soils of both Tortonian and Helvetian origins meld, giving rise to wines that harmonize the elegance of Barolo and La Morra with the robustness of Serralunga and Monforte. The Scavino family's wines are not only an expression of their rich heritage but also a reflection of the diversity and beauty of the surrounding communes, evidenced by their strategic acquisitions and leases in crucial areas such as Cannubi, Rocche Annunziata, Bricco Ambrogio, and Monviglero.
Winemaking at Paolo Scavino has evolved with time, yet the emphasis on hygiene and grape health remains unwavering. The integration of technology, from animal to mechanical labor to roto fermentors and the careful selection of oak for aging, demonstrates their commitment to quality and innovation. This commitment extends to their rigorous quality control, where up to 30% of production is sold in bulk to maintain their high standards.
