La Spinetta
About La Spinetta
Founded as, relatively, recently as 1977 by Giuseppe Rivetti, La Spinetta is currently under the stewardship of second-generation Giorgio who has overseen a remarkable rise to the pinnacle of Barbaresco and an impressive expansion of everything from vineyards to range of cuvées.
Without question most famous for their truly exceptional Barolo and Barbaresco wines, La Spinetta has actually been producing these for fewer than three decades, starting with the Gallina cuvée in 1995. A mere handful of vintages, in the context of ancient Piedmont producers, to master the terroir of Italy’s most noble region, La Spinetta has nevertheless ascended the pyramid alongside the likes of mighty Gaja to become one of the most coveted labels in fine wine, especially amongst those with a passion for Barbaresco.
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Vinous (95)
The 2018 Barbaresco Vigneto Starderi is a powerful, structured wine. Readers will have to be patient with the 2018, as it is a mere infant. Dried cherry, mint, spice, rose petal, kirsch and sweet red cherry fill out the layers nicely as the Starderi shows off its characteristic volume. Give this a few years to soften.Inc. VAT£579.64 -
Inc. VAT£891.89
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Inc. VAT£794.89
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Vinous (93)
The 2009 Barbaresco Riserva Starderi (magnum) is in a gorgeous spot where it is starting to show the signs of having entered an early plateau of maturity. Even so, it retains formidable tannic clout and tons of intensity. The 2009 appears to have enough fruit to develop well for another 7-10 years. Even with considerable aeration the tannins remain formidable.Inc. VAT£512.81 -
Vinous (91)
The 2006 Barbaresco Vigneto Valeirano is another exuberant wine. Here, too, the aromatics literally jump out of the glass, as layers of perfumed super-ripe fruit are intermingled with a persistent vein of minerality. The powerful, focused Valeirano offers outstanding balance, but needs a few years in bottle for the tannins to melt away.Inc. VAT£912.04 -
Vinous (93+)
Good full red. Musky, wild aromas of strawberry and mint; more classic than the 2006 version. Then broad and perfumed in the mouth, with sexy flavors of spicy red fruits, minerals, dried rose and spices. Finishes broad and very long. A vibrant, complex Barbaresco that will need time. Rivetti says this reminds him of a Barolo from Serralunga. A very strong showing.Inc. VAT£992.44 -
Wine Advocate (97)
Tasted from magnum, the 2008 Barbaresco Riserva Valeirano (Magnum) offers a lot of depth and penetration, with profound aromas of black fruit, cherry, dried herb and so much more. This is a dark and concentrated Barbaresco with background notes of barbecue spice, leather, tar, tobacco and ripe dark fruit. You'll get plenty of cola and balsam herb on the close. This result is no surprise. It is another beauty of a Riserva Valeirano and another soul-penetrating expression not to be missed. Only 600 magnums were made.Inc. VAT£1,016.44 -
Vinous (93+)
Good medium red. Exotic, rather Barolo-like perfume of truffle and marzipan. Plush, seamless and very rich, but less expressive today than the Starderi. For all their depth and sexy soil tones, these 2009 Barbarescos come across as fresher and more delineated than the corresponding 2007s. Quite closed on the back end, showing a note of menthol. Finishes with substantial toothdusting tannins.Inc. VAT£892.84 -
Wine Advocate (96)
Fruit for the 2010 Barbaresco Vigneto Valeirano is harvested at 450 meters above sea level in the Neive township. These conditions shape a radically different character. This wine is precise and sharp with finely etched tones of spice, dark berry and wet earth. The overall structure and power of the wine is super elegant and immediate. You can safely put this bottle away for years. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2035.Inc. VAT£1,453.24 -
Vinous (93+)
The 2013 Barbaresco Vigneto Valeirano is a powerhouse. Tannic, rough around the edges and virile in its expression, the 2013 is going to need at least few years in bottle to shed some of its tannin. The flavors are deep and boldly sketched, with the acidity of the vintage and the incisive Treiso tannins adding brightness throughout. Sweet dark cherries, cinnamon, new leather and menthol meld into the powerful, tannic finish.Inc. VAT£1,922.47 -
Vinous (93+)
The 2013 Barbaresco Vigneto Valeirano is a powerhouse. Tannic, rough around the edges and virile in its expression, the 2013 is going to need at least few years in bottle to shed some of its tannin. The flavors are deep and boldly sketched, with the acidity of the vintage and the incisive Treiso tannins adding brightness throughout. Sweet dark cherries, cinnamon, new leather and menthol meld into the powerful, tannic finish.Inc. VAT£808.84 -
Vinous (94+)
La Spinetta's 2014 Barbaresco Vigneto Valeirano is a dark, brooding wine. Because of its depth and overall structure, the oak element is less evident here than it is in some of the other wines. Smoke, licorice, tar, spice, black cherry and rose petal gradually emerge from a wall of firm, imposing tannins. Readers will have to be patient with the 2014, but it is a striking wine in the making. As is often the case, the Valeirano has a distinctive element of austerity and nerve.Inc. VAT£687.64 -
Vinous (95)
The 2015 Barbaresco Vigneto Valeirano is another striking wine from La Spinetta. Precise and finely cut, the 2015 shows the slightly austere personality that is typical of this cru. Even so, the 2015 possesses tremendous energy and intensity. Sweet spice, crushed flowers, crushed rocks, leather, spice, mint and sweet tobacco grace this exquisite, wonderfully nuanced Barbaresco. The 2015 finishes with real substance and gravitas, both of which bode well for its future in bottle. This may be the most finessed edition of Valeirano ever here.Inc. VAT£1,515.67 -
Vinous (95+)
The 2016 Barbaresco Vigneto Valeirano is the most refined wine I have tasted from this site in Treiso. The tannins, always forbidding in Valeirano, are wonderfully polished, and yet convey the essential feeling of structure that is such a central part of what makes Barbaresco so compelling as a wine. Dark wild cherry, incense, graphite, spice and dried flowers add shades of dimension to this virile, potent Barbaresco that captures the essence of this site, but with an added touch of sophistication that is quite welcome. I can't wait to see how the 2016 ages. In a word: Superb!Inc. VAT£610.84 -
Vinous (95)
La Spinetta’s 2017 Barbaresco Valeirano is classy, elegant and polished from start to finish. Freshly cut flowers, mint, sweet red berry fruit and blood orange are some of the many notes that grace this super-expressive, inviting Barbaresco from La Spinetta. In 2017, the Valeirano is more delicate and less hefty than it can be – which is not a bad thing – although there is plenty of its characteristic tannin to carry the wine and give it energy.Inc. VAT£622.84 -
Vinous (94)
The 2018 Barbaresco Vigneto Valeirano is especially fine. As always, the Valeirano is a classically austere Barbaresco, but that side of its personality is less evident in 2018 than it has been in the past, its mid-weight structure notwithstanding. All the elements are so nicely balanced.Inc. VAT£536.44 -
Inc. VAT£840.29
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Vinous (93)
The 2019 Barolo Vigneto Garretti is a wild, exotic wine. The aromatics alone are incredibly alluring. Kirsch, rosewater, hard candy and sweet spice all soar out of the glass. This racy, mid-weight Barolo is a real charmer. Best of all the 2019 will drink well right out of the gate.Inc. VAT£477.89 -
Wine Advocate (96+)
This wine was tasted in a magnum. The 2004 Barolo Riserva Vigneto Campe is made with fruit from the highest part of the hill. Luscious and bright, this deeply textured wine puts on a fascinating array of ever-changing aromas. You get licorice, pipe tobacco, black fruit, cassis, tar, rosehip and dried herb. The excellent 2004 vintage has shaped silky, long tannins with the backbone to carry the wine throughout the years. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2035.Inc. VAT£973.61 -
Inc. VAT£743.21
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Inc. VAT£781.61
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Inc. VAT£742.09
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Vinous (95)
The 2009 Barolo Riserva Campè emerges from the upper blocks at La Spinetta's estate vineyard in Grinzane Cavour and is bottled only in magnum. A rich, ample wine, the 2009 has aged beautifully. Sweet red cherry, cinnamon, white chocolate and flowers are some of the notes that build in the glass. The 2009 has volume, persistence and a good deal of freshness to match. Tasted today, eleven years after the vintage, the 2009 clearly harkens back to a time when the wines were more marked by French oak than they are today. Readers who can look past that will find a sweeping, grand, modern-style Barolo that hits all the right notes. Even though the oak imprint is a bit strong in some vintages of this era, Giorgio Rivetti's wines have proven to age very well. Tasted a day after the opening, the 2009 has lost none of its allure.Inc. VAT£805.61 -
Wine Advocate (94)
The 2000 Barolo Campe, the first which Rivetti has made, is very fresh and vigorous for a wine from this hot vintage, spicy and balsamic in aroma with much tar and chocolate as well, dense flavors, much length and intensity, and a sizeable but supple close. Already quite approachable, it will last another decade and a half.Inc. VAT£1,202.44 -
Vinous (92)
La Spinetta's 2003 Barolo Campè is a pretty wine to drink now and over the next 5-10 years, but probably on the shorter end of that window. Worn in leather, mocha, spices, smoke, plums and earthiness meld together nicely in the glass. The 80% new oak is totally integrated, while the tannins are also soft, yet retain a good measure of precision. Now fully mature or close to it, the 2003 will continue to drink nicely based on its density and depth.Inc. VAT£964.84 -
Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (91-93)
(tasted from tank) Good deep red. Aromas of dark raspberry and mocha. At once rich and sweet and lively, from fruit picked quite early (and before the rain), with higher acidity than in 2004. Can't match the 2004 for fat or refinement of tannins, but there's lovely acid and mineral spine to the flavors of dark fruits, menthol and mint. Finishes with big, broad tannins and excellent lingering sweetness.Inc. VAT£897.64 -
Wine Advocate (95)
There is no doubt the 2007 Barolo Campe is impressive. It is a beautifully balanced wine layered with opulent, super-ripe fruit, new leather and licorice. The French oak is beautifully balanced in this broad-shouldered Barolo, while the fruit avoids the overripe tendencies of the past. The wine holds up perfectly in the glass, which hasn’t always been the case. Tar, licorice and spices wrap around the intense finish. This is the finest vintage of Campe to date. Kudos to Giorgio Rivetti and his team for this fabulous effort. To be released in 2012. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024.Inc. VAT£819.64 -
Vinous (95+)
The 2008 Barolo Campè (magnum) has aged impeccably. Gracious, silky and perfumed, with striking red berry fruit, the 2008 is in a gorgeous place for drinking now. Readers who own the 2008 in magnum are in for a real treat. The 2008 is floral, lifted and incredibly refined. It is also one of the most complete and alluring wines I have tasted from La Spinetta.Inc. VAT£2,070.07 -
Vinous (95+)
The 2008 Barolo Campè (magnum) has aged impeccably. Gracious, silky and perfumed, with striking red berry fruit, the 2008 is in a gorgeous place for drinking now. Readers who own the 2008 in magnum are in for a real treat. The 2008 is floral, lifted and incredibly refined. It is also one of the most complete and alluring wines I have tasted from La Spinetta.Inc. VAT£1,052.44 -
Vinous (94+)
La Spinetta's 2013 Barolo Campè is bright, intense and driven, with beams of acidity and tannin that give the wine its shape. In 2013, the Campè offers a good bit of tension and overall structure that works to balance the overt fruit that is such a Spinetta signature. Even so, the palate feel is one of creaminess and supple texture, which makes this a rare 2013 that will drink well with minimal cellaring. Sweet red cherry, plum, spice, menthol, rose petal and anise meld into the super-expressive finish. This is another impressive Barolo from La Spinetta. The 2013 was aged in a combination of cask, new French oak and used French oak.Inc. VAT£874.84
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Vinous (95)
The 2018 Barbaresco Vigneto Starderi is a powerful, structured wine. Readers will have to be patient with the 2018, as it is a mere infant. Dried cherry, mint, spice, rose petal, kirsch and sweet red cherry fill out the layers nicely as the Starderi shows off its characteristic volume. Give this a few years to soften.In Bond£467.00 -
In Bond£724.00
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In Bond£656.00
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Vinous (93)
The 2009 Barbaresco Riserva Starderi (magnum) is in a gorgeous spot where it is starting to show the signs of having entered an early plateau of maturity. Even so, it retains formidable tannic clout and tons of intensity. The 2009 appears to have enough fruit to develop well for another 7-10 years. Even with considerable aeration the tannins remain formidable.In Bond£422.00 -
Vinous (91)
The 2006 Barbaresco Vigneto Valeirano is another exuberant wine. Here, too, the aromatics literally jump out of the glass, as layers of perfumed super-ripe fruit are intermingled with a persistent vein of minerality. The powerful, focused Valeirano offers outstanding balance, but needs a few years in bottle for the tannins to melt away.In Bond£744.00 -
Vinous (93+)
Good full red. Musky, wild aromas of strawberry and mint; more classic than the 2006 version. Then broad and perfumed in the mouth, with sexy flavors of spicy red fruits, minerals, dried rose and spices. Finishes broad and very long. A vibrant, complex Barbaresco that will need time. Rivetti says this reminds him of a Barolo from Serralunga. A very strong showing.In Bond£811.00 -
Wine Advocate (97)
Tasted from magnum, the 2008 Barbaresco Riserva Valeirano (Magnum) offers a lot of depth and penetration, with profound aromas of black fruit, cherry, dried herb and so much more. This is a dark and concentrated Barbaresco with background notes of barbecue spice, leather, tar, tobacco and ripe dark fruit. You'll get plenty of cola and balsam herb on the close. This result is no surprise. It is another beauty of a Riserva Valeirano and another soul-penetrating expression not to be missed. Only 600 magnums were made.In Bond£831.00 -
Vinous (93+)
Good medium red. Exotic, rather Barolo-like perfume of truffle and marzipan. Plush, seamless and very rich, but less expressive today than the Starderi. For all their depth and sexy soil tones, these 2009 Barbarescos come across as fresher and more delineated than the corresponding 2007s. Quite closed on the back end, showing a note of menthol. Finishes with substantial toothdusting tannins.In Bond£728.00 -
Wine Advocate (96)
Fruit for the 2010 Barbaresco Vigneto Valeirano is harvested at 450 meters above sea level in the Neive township. These conditions shape a radically different character. This wine is precise and sharp with finely etched tones of spice, dark berry and wet earth. The overall structure and power of the wine is super elegant and immediate. You can safely put this bottle away for years. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2035.In Bond£1,195.00 -
Vinous (93+)
The 2013 Barbaresco Vigneto Valeirano is a powerhouse. Tannic, rough around the edges and virile in its expression, the 2013 is going to need at least few years in bottle to shed some of its tannin. The flavors are deep and boldly sketched, with the acidity of the vintage and the incisive Treiso tannins adding brightness throughout. Sweet dark cherries, cinnamon, new leather and menthol meld into the powerful, tannic finish.In Bond£1,570.00 -
Vinous (93+)
The 2013 Barbaresco Vigneto Valeirano is a powerhouse. Tannic, rough around the edges and virile in its expression, the 2013 is going to need at least few years in bottle to shed some of its tannin. The flavors are deep and boldly sketched, with the acidity of the vintage and the incisive Treiso tannins adding brightness throughout. Sweet dark cherries, cinnamon, new leather and menthol meld into the powerful, tannic finish.In Bond£658.00 -
Vinous (94+)
La Spinetta's 2014 Barbaresco Vigneto Valeirano is a dark, brooding wine. Because of its depth and overall structure, the oak element is less evident here than it is in some of the other wines. Smoke, licorice, tar, spice, black cherry and rose petal gradually emerge from a wall of firm, imposing tannins. Readers will have to be patient with the 2014, but it is a striking wine in the making. As is often the case, the Valeirano has a distinctive element of austerity and nerve.In Bond£557.00 -
Vinous (95)
The 2015 Barbaresco Vigneto Valeirano is another striking wine from La Spinetta. Precise and finely cut, the 2015 shows the slightly austere personality that is typical of this cru. Even so, the 2015 possesses tremendous energy and intensity. Sweet spice, crushed flowers, crushed rocks, leather, spice, mint and sweet tobacco grace this exquisite, wonderfully nuanced Barbaresco. The 2015 finishes with real substance and gravitas, both of which bode well for its future in bottle. This may be the most finessed edition of Valeirano ever here.In Bond£1,231.00 -
Vinous (95+)
The 2016 Barbaresco Vigneto Valeirano is the most refined wine I have tasted from this site in Treiso. The tannins, always forbidding in Valeirano, are wonderfully polished, and yet convey the essential feeling of structure that is such a central part of what makes Barbaresco so compelling as a wine. Dark wild cherry, incense, graphite, spice and dried flowers add shades of dimension to this virile, potent Barbaresco that captures the essence of this site, but with an added touch of sophistication that is quite welcome. I can't wait to see how the 2016 ages. In a word: Superb!In Bond£493.00 -
Vinous (95)
La Spinetta’s 2017 Barbaresco Valeirano is classy, elegant and polished from start to finish. Freshly cut flowers, mint, sweet red berry fruit and blood orange are some of the many notes that grace this super-expressive, inviting Barbaresco from La Spinetta. In 2017, the Valeirano is more delicate and less hefty than it can be – which is not a bad thing – although there is plenty of its characteristic tannin to carry the wine and give it energy.In Bond£503.00 -
Vinous (94)
The 2018 Barbaresco Vigneto Valeirano is especially fine. As always, the Valeirano is a classically austere Barbaresco, but that side of its personality is less evident in 2018 than it has been in the past, its mid-weight structure notwithstanding. All the elements are so nicely balanced.In Bond£431.00 -
In Bond£681.00
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Vinous (93)
The 2019 Barolo Vigneto Garretti is a wild, exotic wine. The aromatics alone are incredibly alluring. Kirsch, rosewater, hard candy and sweet spice all soar out of the glass. This racy, mid-weight Barolo is a real charmer. Best of all the 2019 will drink well right out of the gate.In Bond£379.00 -
Wine Advocate (96+)
This wine was tasted in a magnum. The 2004 Barolo Riserva Vigneto Campe is made with fruit from the highest part of the hill. Luscious and bright, this deeply textured wine puts on a fascinating array of ever-changing aromas. You get licorice, pipe tobacco, black fruit, cassis, tar, rosehip and dried herb. The excellent 2004 vintage has shaped silky, long tannins with the backbone to carry the wine throughout the years. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2035.In Bond£806.00 -
In Bond£614.00
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In Bond£646.00
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In Bond£612.00
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Vinous (95)
The 2009 Barolo Riserva Campè emerges from the upper blocks at La Spinetta's estate vineyard in Grinzane Cavour and is bottled only in magnum. A rich, ample wine, the 2009 has aged beautifully. Sweet red cherry, cinnamon, white chocolate and flowers are some of the notes that build in the glass. The 2009 has volume, persistence and a good deal of freshness to match. Tasted today, eleven years after the vintage, the 2009 clearly harkens back to a time when the wines were more marked by French oak than they are today. Readers who can look past that will find a sweeping, grand, modern-style Barolo that hits all the right notes. Even though the oak imprint is a bit strong in some vintages of this era, Giorgio Rivetti's wines have proven to age very well. Tasted a day after the opening, the 2009 has lost none of its allure.In Bond£666.00 -
Wine Advocate (94)
The 2000 Barolo Campe, the first which Rivetti has made, is very fresh and vigorous for a wine from this hot vintage, spicy and balsamic in aroma with much tar and chocolate as well, dense flavors, much length and intensity, and a sizeable but supple close. Already quite approachable, it will last another decade and a half.In Bond£986.00 -
Vinous (92)
La Spinetta's 2003 Barolo Campè is a pretty wine to drink now and over the next 5-10 years, but probably on the shorter end of that window. Worn in leather, mocha, spices, smoke, plums and earthiness meld together nicely in the glass. The 80% new oak is totally integrated, while the tannins are also soft, yet retain a good measure of precision. Now fully mature or close to it, the 2003 will continue to drink nicely based on its density and depth.In Bond£788.00 -
Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (91-93)
(tasted from tank) Good deep red. Aromas of dark raspberry and mocha. At once rich and sweet and lively, from fruit picked quite early (and before the rain), with higher acidity than in 2004. Can't match the 2004 for fat or refinement of tannins, but there's lovely acid and mineral spine to the flavors of dark fruits, menthol and mint. Finishes with big, broad tannins and excellent lingering sweetness.In Bond£732.00 -
Wine Advocate (95)
There is no doubt the 2007 Barolo Campe is impressive. It is a beautifully balanced wine layered with opulent, super-ripe fruit, new leather and licorice. The French oak is beautifully balanced in this broad-shouldered Barolo, while the fruit avoids the overripe tendencies of the past. The wine holds up perfectly in the glass, which hasn’t always been the case. Tar, licorice and spices wrap around the intense finish. This is the finest vintage of Campe to date. Kudos to Giorgio Rivetti and his team for this fabulous effort. To be released in 2012. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024.In Bond£667.00 -
Vinous (95+)
The 2008 Barolo Campè (magnum) has aged impeccably. Gracious, silky and perfumed, with striking red berry fruit, the 2008 is in a gorgeous place for drinking now. Readers who own the 2008 in magnum are in for a real treat. The 2008 is floral, lifted and incredibly refined. It is also one of the most complete and alluring wines I have tasted from La Spinetta.In Bond£1,693.00 -
Vinous (95+)
The 2008 Barolo Campè (magnum) has aged impeccably. Gracious, silky and perfumed, with striking red berry fruit, the 2008 is in a gorgeous place for drinking now. Readers who own the 2008 in magnum are in for a real treat. The 2008 is floral, lifted and incredibly refined. It is also one of the most complete and alluring wines I have tasted from La Spinetta.In Bond£861.00 -
Vinous (94+)
La Spinetta's 2013 Barolo Campè is bright, intense and driven, with beams of acidity and tannin that give the wine its shape. In 2013, the Campè offers a good bit of tension and overall structure that works to balance the overt fruit that is such a Spinetta signature. Even so, the palate feel is one of creaminess and supple texture, which makes this a rare 2013 that will drink well with minimal cellaring. Sweet red cherry, plum, spice, menthol, rose petal and anise meld into the super-expressive finish. This is another impressive Barolo from La Spinetta. The 2013 was aged in a combination of cask, new French oak and used French oak.In Bond£713.00