Bel Colle is one of the wineries owned by the Bozio Family Estate. It was established in the 1970s by the Pontegrione brothers and Mr. Giuseppe Priola in the village of Verduno in the Barolo region. Bel Colle was known as a traditional Barolo producer, but in 1980 it came under the Bozio Family Estate umbrella, undergoing reforms such as adopting lutte raisonnée (reduced pesticide farming) and investing in winemaking facilities. In recent years, it has become recognized by many wine critics as a highly capable winery. The vineyard consistently practices hand-harvesting, achieving cultivation of high-quality grapes. Bel Colle’s reputation and quality have rapidly risen following these significant reforms.
The wine shows a transparent orange garnet color with slightly brick-colored edges. Its aroma offers black cherry, strawberry, licorice, star anise, clove spices, tobacco, and leather — a pleasant bouquet reflecting its extended aging, though not fully explosive. On the palate, it is a traditionally styled Barolo: concentrated, pure fruit flavors and elegant acidity shine through, but the somewhat sharp tannins stand out, making it a taste best paired with robust meat dishes rather than enjoyed alone.
On this occasion, my son was visiting home, and we opened more than half a bottle between us. Even the small amount left in the bottle was still enjoyable a few days later.