2015 Oddero Barolo Riserva Bussia Vigna Mondoca

Region: Piedmont, Italy

Grape: Nebbiolo

Culinary Suggestions: Truffle/mushroom dishes, charcuterie or roasted meats

Vineyard Practice: Organic

About

Poderi e Cantine Oddero: Now that's a mouthful. But what's even more of a mouthful is the history and legacy behind this Barolo producer. You know we're talking the real deal when the ancestors were already making wine under their own name back in the late 18th century. That's some serious roots.

The winery is perched on a natural terrace overlooking the breathtaking hills of the Langhe. Everywhere you look, there are vineyards. And they're not just any vineyards. They're some of the best in the Langhe and Asti territories. This place is serious about making some top-notch Piedmont wines.

But it's not just about tradition and history at Poderi e Cantine Oddero. They also know how to bring in some modern techniques to make some cracker wine. They are attending to every little detail, from pruning to harvest, from pressing to fermentation, and over a long period of time. It's all about the details.

Oddero has been certified organic since 2008. In their pursuit of perfection, they are making sure they are also respecting the land and its raw materials. Tenacity, patience, and respect for their territory—that's the kind of dedication that goes into every bottle of wine they produce.

Tasting Notes

The dust has settled now, and it’s pretty clear that 2015 was an excellent vintage. In some cases, better than 2016, though that’s probably not news. 

Ripe plum and cherry, liquorice, dried rose and an earth/tar thing. It’s a brooding wine, but fresh too, with a distinct ‘mineral’ character, rich and fleshy ironstone tannin, a lavish chewiness, and huge finish offering hazelnut and and spice, and more of that liquorice richness. Intense. Outstanding. 

96 points - Gary Walsh, The Wine Front February 2022

Drink: 2025 - 2040

Here's a wine that brings on the best of the 2015 vintage. This growing season that will be remembered for sunshine and warmth is distinguished by rich and concentrated fruit. The 2015 Barolo Riserva Bussia Vigna Mondoca shows extra intensity and complexity with a quick assembly of wild fruit, rose, tarry smoke and flinty mineral aromas. There is a lot of depth and, more importantly, volume in this Barolo. The wine definitely veers toward the blacker and plummier side of the Nebbiolo spectrum. There is a lot of beautiful meat on these strong bones.

96 points - Monica Larner, Wine Advocate June 2021

Drink: 2024 - 2050

This is really serious, with such a classic spin to the clean and modern winemaking. It shows plenty of ripe-plum, tar and cedar character. It’s full-bodied and chewy with lots going on. Tannic at the end, but the attractive fruit balances it out. Still needs time. Try after 2024.

95 points - jamessuckling.com July 2021

The 2015 Barolo Riserva Bussia Vigna Mondoca is a gorgeous, beguiling wine that is going to need time in bottle to be fully expressive. Deep and sumptuous in feel, the 2015 has so much potential. Time in the glass gradually brings out attractive floral and spice notes to play off the wine's sweet red cherry and red plum fruit. All of the transparent beauty of Nebbiolo comes through in this pretty and very promising Riserva from Oddero. The 2015 is all class. 

95 points - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media November 2019

Drink: 2025 - 2040