This is a relatively new addition to the Domenico Clerico portfolio (the first vintage was 2017) but a needed one given that the estate's most recognized wines like the Barolos Pajana and Ciabot Mentin (both from Ginestra) are recognized as their own brands outside an MGA identity. This wine, however, reminds us that Domenico Clerico's wine DNA is totally linked to Monforte d'Alba. The 2019 Barolo del Comune di Monforte d'Alba takes a few minutes to open before it delivers that combination of dark berry fruit and rusty mineral that gives this part of the appellation strength and structure. Some 30,000 bottles are available at an interesting price point.

This is a terrific set of new wines from Domenico Clerico owner Giuliana Viberti and winemaker Oscar Arrivabene. Oscar has made a few tweaks to winemaking, moving away from smaller oak barrels to embrace large casks instead. For the first time, both the 2019 Barolo Ginestra Pajana and the Barolo Ginestra Ciabot Mentin went into 5,000-liter wood vessels. These fundamental adjustments change the profile of the wines for the better, giving them more elegance and nuances, as these new releases demonstrate. In other news, the estate made a limited-release 2016 Langhe Nebbiolo Perdomenico (326 bottles, 100 magnums and five double magnums), with proceeds donated to charity. -Monica Larner Wine Advocate

94+/100- Wine Advocate