Borgogno Barolo Riserva 2005 - 750ml

93pts James Suckling

Intense aromas of ripe cherries and plums follow through to a full body, with firm tannins and a silky finish. Beautiful, fine, and silky texture to this. Drink now or hold.

92pts Vinous

Tar, roses, smoke, licorice and red berries emerge from the 2005 Barolo Riserva. A mid-weight Barolo, the 2005 Riserva comes across as super-classic. Today, it is surprisingly open and accessible. Sweet floral notes add gorgeous perfume on the finish. This is an excellent choice for drinking over the next decade or so.

91pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2005 Barolo Riserva shows good length and energy. It is a typical 2005 with a slightly compact expression of fruit and plenty of energy. The 2005 doesn’t have the structure to be a long term ager, but it is quite pretty. Sweet red berries, dried cherries, tobacco, cedar and mint linger on the pointed finish. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.

These two Baroli from Borgogno were made by the Boschis brothers prior to Oscar Farinetti’s purchase of the estate in 2009. The wines are excellent, but recent vintages show considerably more potential.

Wine Spectator

Cherry, tobacco, eucalyptus and tar marks this athletic red, which is elegant, with beefy tannins on the finish. Leaves a mouthwatering impression. Best from 2014 through 2025. 50 cases imported.

Tasting Notes

Rose, iris, camphor and forest berry aromas mingle with whiffs of pine forest and dark spice. Youthfully austere, and that’s a good thing, the firmly structured palate shows wonderful finesse, delivering sour cherry, cranberry and licorice framed in taut, fine-grained tannins and racy acidity. It still needs time, so no rush.

About the Wine

It comes from three estate’s vineyards: Liste, Cannubi and Fossati. The first one, was born 11 million years ago from soil erosion, is composed by a completeness of micro and macro elements that combined together give to the wine peculiar characteristics of complexity and longevity. Cannubi was born 12 million years ago from the sedimentation of the sea, it is the most famous and vocated Barolo Cru. It has an amazing complexity
of terroir, formed by marly-calcareous soil and a very favourable climate and it originates wines with distinguished characters of elegance and longevity. Fossati vineyard was born about 10 million years ago from the sedimentation of the sea that occupied the Plain of the Po river after the push of the African continent against Italian peninsula. Since this vineyard has a relatively young terroir, it is composed by a good percentage of sand and its wines have great floral and red fruits fragrances. 

Barolo Borgogno is one of the oldest Barolo produced following a classic and natural style. These precious bottles could have some sediment settled in the bottom, for this reason decanting the wine few minutes before the service is recommended. 

Importer's Notes

Founded back in 1761—yes, before the U.S. had a president—Borgogno is the oldest continuously operating winery in Barolo. A major glow-up came in the 1920s when Cesare Borgogno took the reins, expanded production, and started shipping bottles far beyond the Italian border. Cesare also began hoarding Barolo—in the best way. Half of every vintage was tucked away in a massive cellar vault, only to be unleashed two decades later. 

Fast-forward to the Farinetti family takeover in 2008: Andrea Farinetti brought new energy with an organic conversion and a bold return to fermenting in cement vats, just like the good old days. The entire operation still runs from a subterranean cellar labyrinth in the heart of Barolo village. 

The estate now counts 39 hectares, including some of the region’s crown jewels—Cannubi, Liste, Fossati, San Pietro delle Viole—and even a Timorasso revival. 

Expect extended maceration, zero frills in the cellar, and wines with major aging chops. Borgogno is tradition with teeth—gripping, structured, and adored by Italy’s most serious collectors. 

Blend: 100% Nebbiolo