Brandini R 56, Barolo DOCG, Italy 2021
Agricola Brandini is a relatively modern, family-run winery in La Morra, one of the most celebrated villages in the Barolo region. The estate focuses on organic viticulture, traditional winemaking, and wines that express the character of their individual vineyards rather than the influence of heavy oak. Serena and Giovanna Bagnasco are the sisters associated with running the estate.
‘R56’ Barolo DOCG, Piedmont, Italy 2021
A distinctive single-cru Barolo from the Brandini vineyard surrounding the winery in La Morra, R56 captures the elegance of Nebbiolo with impressive structure and depth. The 2021 vintage offers an expressive bouquet of wild red berries, rose petals, and delicate spice, layered with earthy minerality and hints of licorice. On the palate, concentrated fruit meets vibrant acidity and firm, finely textured tannins, building toward a long, persistent finish. Brandini uses a thoughtful combination of destemmed grapes and whole-cluster fermentation to preserve freshness and aromatic complexity. The wine is aged for approximately 24 months in large oak casks, followed by at least 18 months of bottle aging before release, allowing the character of the vineyard to shine without excessive oak influence.
The name comes from a hailstorm in 2010 that severely damaged the Brandini vineyard in La Morra. After the damaged grapes were removed, the vineyard produced just 56 quintals of grapes per hectare, a relatively low yield for Barolo. The winery was so impressed by the resulting wine’s concentration, precision, and elegance that it decided to maintain similarly low yields in subsequent vintages. The wine was originally called Resa 56 and was shortened to R56 beginning with the 2016 vintage.
