Oddero is one of the great, historic, traditional Barolo houses with a long history spanning over 200 years. There are mentions of the Oddero family in La Morra as far back as the 1700s, though the family was likely there even before that point. The winery was among the first producers to estate bottle their Barolo – in the late 1800’s, a time when most wine was sold in bulk either by demijohn or barrel. There are even records of their wine being sold to the USA at that point as well. It was Giacomo Oddero (born 1926) and his brother Luigi (born 1928) who brought the winery into the modern era.

I love Villero. I’m gradually coming around to thinking that the wines from Castiglione Falletto may well be my favourites from Barolo. Oddero are hitting new heights in recent vintages. Bright, deep, spicy cherry and plum, dried rose/potpourri, new leather, biscotti. Tight rolls of juicy fruit, though ferrous and very mineral too, dense graphite tannin, and more of that beautiful sweet tannin on a very long finish. Tense and structured, yet generous in flavour. The tightrope walked with confidence. So good. Tasted : Jul20; Alcohol : 14.5%; Price : $145; Closure : Cork; Drink : 2024 - 2040+; Rated : 97 Points; Gary Walsh; The Wine Front