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2015 Barolo “Vigna Santa Caterina”

Guido Porro
Discount Eligible $53.00
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In Serralunga d’Alba, the combination of full sun exposure and limestone-rich marl soils yields ripe, fleshy, structured Barolos that can stand the test of time. Guido Porro’s Santa Caterina is a perfect example of the finesse, complexity, and longevity this cru can achieve, specifically when crafted via traditional production methods such as spontaneous fermentation, long macerations, and extensive aging in enormous Slavonian oak casks. These techniques produce a Barolo with delicate and nuanced aromas backed by a deep, chewy structure that promises a slow and steady evolution throughout the years—twenty years or more, if you so wish. To best enjoy it young, decant it for an hour or two and serve with richly flavored pastas, a rustic bollito (boiled meat with a bright mostarda), or other typical Piemontese dishes.

Anthony Lynch


Technical Information
Wine Type: red
Vintage: 2015
Bottle Size: 750mL
Blend: Nebbiolo
Appellation: Barolo
Country: Italy
Region: Piedmont
Producer: Guido Porro
Winemaker: Guido Porro
Vineyard: 25 - 30 years, 1 ha; 400-410 m altitude; W exposure
Soil: Clay, Limestone
Aging: Three years in 15- to 25-hl Slavonian oak botti
Farming: Sustainable
Alcohol: 14.5%

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About The Region

Piedmont

map of Piedmont

Kermit’s love affair with the great reds of Piemonte dates back to the early days of his career: the very first container he imported from Italy, in fact, featured legendary 1971 and 1974 Barolos from Vietti and Aldo Conterno. Regular visits since then have seen our portfolio grow to now twelve Piemontesi estates, with a strong focus on the rolling hills of the Langhe.

Nebbiolo rules these majestic, vine-covered marl slopes, giving Italy’s most mystifyingly complex, nuanced, and age-worthy reds. When crafted via traditional production methods—long macerations and extensive aging in enormous oak botti—the powerful, yet incredibly refined Barolos and Barbarescos provide haunting aromatics of tar, raspberry, incense, tea, roses, and more. At times austere in their youth but well worth the wait, they pair beautifully with the hearty local cuisine starring veal in many forms, braised beef, pastas like tajarin and agnolotti, and of course, Alba’s famous white truffles.

Surrounded by mountains on three sides, Piemonte’s climate is continental, with baking hot summers and cold winters. Nebbiolo is only part of the story here: juicy, fruity Barberas and Dolcettos represent the bread and butter throughout the region, and other native grapes like Freisa, Croatina, and the white Arneis are also noteworthy. Value abounds in the Monferrato, while Alto Piemonte also has its share of thrills to provide.

Every corner of Piemonte is rich with tradition, especially when wine is concerned. It’s no wonder we have been singing the region’s praises for over forty years.

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Where the newsletter started

Every three or four months I would send my clients a cheaply made list of my inventory, but it began to dawn on me that business did not pick up afterwards. It occurred to me that my clientele might not know what Château Grillet is, either. One month in 1974 I had an especially esoteric collection of wines arriving, so I decided to put a short explanation about each wine into my price list, to try and let my clients know what to expect when they uncorked a bottle. The day after I mailed that brochure, people showed up at the shop, and that is how these little propaganda pieces for fine wine were born.—Kermit Lynch

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