2022 Azienda Agricola Lalu Barbera D'Alba (Case of 6)

6x750 ML

Outsiders unencumbered by local politics, Lara Rocchetti and Luisa Sala (a.k.a. LaLu) are blurring Barolo’s outdated ‘modernist’ and ‘traditionalist’ generalisations with wines that take the best of both.

After graduating from the University of Pollenzo with a joint thesis on carbon-neutral wineries, Lara and Luisa spent harvests in Burgundy at Comtes Lafon and Cécile Tremblay, as well as Trediberri – one of Piedmont’s new benchmarks. They launched their own domaine in 2019.

Using scrupulous organic farming techniques, the pair tend 5ha of Nebbiolo, Barbera, and Dolcetto, including parcels in Monforte and La Morra – two of Barolo’s finest crus. Adopting Lalou Bize-Leroy’s skilful technique of partial destemming, Lara and Luisa use 50% whole-cluster fermentations to craft open and inviting wines without foregoing complexity.

In a region where land prices have skyrocketed and competition for allocations is at an all-time high, it is exciting to see new artisanal talent such as LaLu excel in value and drinkability.