VIRNA BORGOGNO

Piedmonte, Italy

The estate of Virna, owned for over a century by the Borgogno family, is situated in Barolo at the center of the Langhe. Virna today extends over 12 hectares of some of the most important crus in Barolo: Cannubi Boschis, Preda, Sarmassa, I Merli, San Giovanni, and Costa delle Rose. Virna Borgogno, having a rich family history with wine, and some of the finest vineyards in Barolo, began bottling under her own name decades ago. Her winery sits at the foot of the Cannubi Boschis hill, which marks the dividing line between two different types of soil. The Tortonian soil to the north and west (La Morra) is generally more compact marl mixed with sand, producing elegant, softer wines that are more approachable in their youth. The Helvetian soils, with loose, less fertile sandstone and limestone rich marl, are to the south and east (Serraglunga). Cannubi means โ€œunionโ€ in dialect, and refers to the meeting of these two distinctive soil types.

From her own vineyards on Cannubi Boschis and others around Barolo, Virna creates magnificent wines, primarily from the Nebbiolo grape. Her Barolos are long lived, structured wines that should be appreciated throughout their long lives. Virna herself is the very epitome of the Italian winemaker; her wines are all about the land, the history, and the traditions of her ancestors. She is the first woman in Italy to have received her degree in Winemaking Technique (Enologica Tecnica) from the University of Turin.

All Shelf Talkers

Virna Borgogno Wines

Barolo Noi

93 Points From James Suckling

Intense ruby red with garnet highlights; full, intense nose, tertiary notes with red fruit leading vanilla, cocoa and spices. Full-flavored and austere with balanced, supple tannins.

2015 Shelf Talkers2016 Shelf Talkers

Barolo Cannubi

96 Points From James Suckling

With a ruby-red color, the Barolo has a rich bouquet which gradually recalls the scents of roses flows, truffles and wood spice. The palate is at first elegant and refined, then is begins to gain in complexity with air. The long flavors predict a prominent future ahead.

2016 Shelf Talkers

Virna BorgognoBarolo- Comune di Barolo

92 Points from James Suckling

Deep ruby red color. Intense nose of red fruit with tertiary notes of oak and vanilla. Round and compact with visible tannins and splendid fruit. Complex and complete, full-bodied and intense.

2013 Shelf Talkers

Virna BorgognoBarbera D'Alba Superiore

93 Points

The nose of this red wine from Piedmont inspires with notes of blueberries, lilies, roses and lilacs. If we continue to follow the aroma, vanilla, oriental spices and dark chocolate are added. On the palate, this dense red wine is wonderfully dry, has a good grip and is aromatic.

2017 Shelf Talkers

Virna BorgognoLanghe Nebbiolo

93 Points From James Suckling

Plum and violet aromas with a touch of resins and spices. It has a full, warm and persistent flavor.

2017 Shelf Talkers

Virna BorgognoDolcetto D'alba

Plum and violet aromas with a touch of resins and spices. It has a full, warm and persistent flavor.

2019 Shelf Talkers

Virna BorgognoBarbera D'alba

88 Points From Robert Parker

Soft with an intense ruby-red color, the Barbera has notes of blackberries and ripe cranberries; on the palate it remains elegant and powerful, with good potential for aging.

2017 Shelf Talkers