Rocche dei Manzoni, Barolo Bussia 1998

Rocche dei Manzoni Barolo Bussia 1998 is a beautifully mature expression from one of Barolo’s most celebrated crus in Monforte d’Alba. Sourced from the limestone- and clay-rich slopes of Bussia, this 100% Nebbiolo combines depth, power and finely etched aromatics in a classically styled Barolo that has been given time to fully blossom. The warm, balanced 1998 vintage lends an extra layer of approachability, softening the structure while preserving the wine’s inherent tension and complexity.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, this Barolo shows a garnet core with brick-orange highlights at the rim, a hallmark of gracefully aged Nebbiolo. The nose is highly expressive and evolved, with lifted notes of dried roses, cherry liqueur, leather, pipe tobacco and forest floor, underpinned by hints of truffle, balsamic and sweet spice. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied yet remarkably silky, with the firm tannins of youth now refined into a fine-grained, velvety structure. Flavours of mature red cherry, dried plum and blood orange weave together with savoury notes of underbrush, cedar, licorice and a distinct mineral backbone. The acidity remains vibrant, keeping the wine lively and focused, while the finish is long and layered, echoing balsamico, earth and spice for many seconds. This 1998 is in a beautiful drinking window now and is expected to hold at its peak for a further 5–8 years, provided it is well cellared.

Production
The Barolo Bussia 1998 is sourced from the Bussia cru in Monforte d’Alba, one of the appellation’s most revered sites, where calcareous clay with veins of sand provides both structure and aromatic finesse to Nebbiolo. Rocche dei Manzoni works traditionally with a strong focus on quality, hand-harvesting the grapes at optimal ripeness during the warm, balanced 1998 growing season. After a long maceration to maximise colour, tannin and flavour extraction, the wine underwent traditional vinification, followed by approximately 36 months of maturation in large French oak casks with a smaller proportion in new barriques. It then rested for several additional years in bottle before release, allowing the components to harmonise and the tertiary complexity to emerge.

Food & Serving
This mature Barolo is an outstanding partner for rich, savoury dishes such as braised beef, osso buco, lamb shank, and game birds, as well as classic Piemontese cuisine like brasato al Barolo, tajarin with truffle, or porcini risotto. It also pairs beautifully with aged hard cheeses and earthy mushroom-based dishes. Serve at 16–18 °C and allow 2–3 hours of decanting to let the wine fully open and shed any remaining bottle reduction. Handle gently and pour carefully, as a fine sediment is natural in a wine of this age.

Producer
Rocche dei Manzoni, founded in 1974 by Valentino Migliorini in Monforte d’Alba, quickly earned a reputation as one of the most forward-thinking yet quality-obsessed estates in Barolo. The winery was among the pioneers in combining traditional Nebbiolo craftsmanship with carefully selected French oak and meticulous vineyard work, helping to raise the profile of Monforte and cru sites like Bussia on the international stage. Over the decades, Rocche dei Manzoni has become known for its precise, ageworthy Barolo and its commitment to expressing terroir while maintaining elegance and balance, making wines such as this 1998 Bussia reference points for serious Barolo collectors.

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