A firm, fine-grained red with plum, mahogany, iron and bark on the nose and palate. It’s full-bodied with a dusty texture from the tannins. Flavorful finish. Needs time to soften, but a beautiful young Barolo. Try after 2024.
A product of 85-plus-year-old vines in Castiglione Falletto, the Azelia 2017 Barolo Bricco Fiasco is subdued and delicate, with linear fruit of wild plum and blackberry, plus hints of blue flower and pressed violet. The age of the vines and the depth of the root system in the loose soils of this site have helped to maintain balance and freshness during the hottest moments of this vintage. Indeed, this wine is more immediately silky in texture compared to Azelia's wines from Serralunga d'Alba (like the Barolo Margheria also reviewed in this report). This release of 5,600 bottles presents a nice opportunity to try your hand at a delicate rabbit ravioli for a very special occasion a few years from now.
Located in Castiglione Falletto, Bricco Fiasco is a vineyard of old vines (85 years old) considered to be the historical selection of the estate. Fermented with indigenous yeasts for approximately 60 days with a submerged cap, it's then aged in large oak vessels for 24 months. Intense ruby in colour, it is restrained but full of layers, dominated by a bouquet of rose and violet, with fruit ranging between cranberry and dried cherry, followed by leather and earthy tones. Sucrose, fleshy and pure on the full-bodied palate, with velvety tannins and refreshing acidity. The floral character is intoxicating, while the extraction is so great on the mid-palate and chalky on the finish.
The 2017 Barolo Bricco Fiasco is bright and effusive from the very first taste. Crushed flowers, red berry fruit, orange peel, spice and mint all grace this nervy, mid-weight Barolo. Medium in body and translucent, the 2017 has quite a bit to offer. It is an especially savory, linear Barolo.
Dried berry, pressed rose, star anise and botanical herb aromas slowly take shape in the glass. Elegant and austere, the firm palate features tart cherry, blood orange, licorice and tobacco alongside tightly knit, refined tannins that leave an assertive finish. It definitely needs more time to fully unwind and develop. Drink 2027–2032.
The 2017 Barolo Bricco Fiasco has ripe aromatics of red plum, baking spice, rose petal, and cedar. The palate is fuller in body, with juicy black cherry, cola, and balsamic as well as ripe tannins. Of the Azelia 2017s, this is a touch more open-knit and approachable for an ever-so-slightly earlier drinking option. Drink 2024-2036.
This savory red offers a mix of muddled plum, licorice, tar, leather and earth aromas and flavors. Firm, yet ripe tannins lend support. Overall this is balanced and long. Best from 2024 through 2037. 480 cases made, 315 cases imported.
Winery Notes
Bricco Fiasco shows perfectly the radiant personality of Castiglione. Extremely perfumed, floral, with a core of red fruit. Rich, warm, intensely fresh. Ripe tannins.