Description

The Rocche Massolupo cru sits at the southern edge of the Barbaresco growing zone, as does the Lano family cantina, in the village of San Rocco Seno d’Elvio. Were you to drive through this little town it’s likely the naturally farmed and relatively wild-looking Lano vineyards would catch your eye: synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, and herbicides are all forbidden, so don’t expect one of those neatly manicured tracts with nothing but dirt under the vine rows. The soils here are alive and un-manipulated, producing pristine grapes that are given the most traditional, minimalist treatment in the cellar—and yes, you most certainly can taste it! Exceedingly pretty, silky, and evoking both mineral-rich earth and ripe, sun-kissed fruit, this is what people mean when they call Barbaresco the “queen” to Barolo’s “king.” As history has shown us time and again, it’s often the Queen who truly reigns supreme—and, aside from a few top-tier restaurants, you won’t encounter Lano’s wines often (if at all) in the US market.