Virna Cannubi Barolo 2012 Review – Complex with Age


Published by Jeremy.

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When we visited Piedmont, we were fortunate to try many excellent Barolos at wine bars and restaurants. A few bottles were so good that we bought one to bring home.

Virna Cannubi Barolo was one such bottle.

One thing we loved about this one was that we also found a bottle with a bit of age, and decided to give it a try at roughly 13 years of age. It was a real treat!

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A Robust Barolo Showing Signs of Age

Virna Cannubi Barolo

Virna's Cannubi Barolo was pale garnet in color with medium aromas of dried red cherry, licorice, dried cranberry, raspberry, clove, violet, leather, tobacco, chocolate, sage, blueberry, caramel, balsamic, and mushroom.

On the palate, it was dry with high acidity and alcohol, medium(+) chalky tannin, flavor intensity, and finish, and a medium body. We had notes of dried red cherry, dried cranberry, leather, tobacco, clove, sandalwood, chalk, dried leaves, chocolate, caramel, and forest floor.

This Barolo hit all the right notes we enjoy in an aged Barolo, while still having some nice intensity of fruit all the same. This one was a bit more intense than what we normally expect from a Cannubi, and was quite enjoyable all around.

Barolo Food Pairing – Agnolotti del Plin

Barolo Food Pairing - Agnolotti del Plin

We paired this one with a classic Piedmontese pasta- the delicious meat stuffed Agnolotti del Plin that we made by hand. This one is a classic as the pasta is quite small but packs a rich beef flavor all around.

This one helped highlight more dark fruit notes like blueberry and brought out stronger floral and earthy, mushroom notes that we expect from an aged Cannubi. A bit more complexity. A bit more finesse. All around a classic pairing!

Score: 4 / 5

We want another bottle of this one.

We always love it when we crack open a bottle we brought home from traveling, as we always want a reminder on if our tastes hold up (especially when wine tasting and you try a bunch). Virna's Cannubi Barolo did that and more and was quite the beautiful bottle that we'd gladly have more of- if we can find it at least.

Azienda Agricola Virna Borgogno is locatted at Via Alba 24/73 12060 in Barolo, Italy. We purchased this bottle when in Piedmont and enjoyed it in 2025.

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