At A Glance
- Detail
- Fact
- Producer
- Monchiero Fratelli Azienda Agricola
- Region
- Piedmont, Italy
- Barolo vineyard municipalities
- Castiglione Falletto and La Morra
- Grapes in the range
- Nebbiolo, Barbera, Arneis and Moscato
- Wine in focus
- P.Lex Barolo
- Cellar
- Barolo, Barbera and Nebbiolo in large Slavonian oak, young wines in stainless steel vats
The Producer
Monchiero Fratelli Azienda Agricola makes P.Lex Barolo alongside Nebbiolo d'Alba, Barbera, Arneis and Moscato. Vittorio Monchiero works with his sons Luca and Stefano. The family business has reached its third generation with Luca and Stefano.
Place
The estate's Barolo vineyard sites are in the municipalities of Castiglione Falletto and La Morra. Beyond the Barolo zone, parcels in Alba, Roddi, Verduno and Treiso are dedicated to Nebbiolo d'Alba, Barbera, Arneis and Moscato. On the label, Barolo names the Nebbiolo wines from the Barolo zone, while Nebbiolo d'Alba identifies wines from parcels beyond that zone. Barbera, Arneis and Moscato add other grape categories.
Story
Remo and Maggiorino began the Monchiero family's wine venture in the 1950s while living in La Morra. They first sold grapes, then decided to make wine themselves.
During the 1970s, the family bottled and marketed wine. Barolo went abroad to the United States, while younger wines were sold in Italy. Vittorio Monchiero, Maggiorino's son, studied viticulture in Alba during the 1980s. After marrying Daniela, he took charge of the cellar and marketing during the 1990s, travelling and attending trade fairs throughout the world.
Vineyards And Cellar
Complete replanting with updated grafting and training techniques changed the vine material and the position of shoots and bunches across the holdings. The farming is sustainable, with integrated pest management directing treatment toward pest pressure in the vineyard.
Barolo has a dedicated ageing section in the cellar. Renovation of the cellar added new barrels and stainless steel vats for young wines.
Wines
The range includes Barolo, Nebbiolo d'Alba, Barbera, Arneis and Moscato. The Barolo and Nebbiolo d'Alba wines are both made from Nebbiolo, while Barbera, Arneis and Moscato are separate grape wines. P.Lex Barolo is the named Barolo bottling in the range.
Barolo, Barbera and Nebbiolo mature in large Slavonian oak, where gradual oxygen contact softens the wines while direct oak flavour stays behind the grape. Young wines use stainless steel vats.
In The Glass
P.Lex Barolo 2017 shows aromas of prune, leather, stock, black tea, rosehip, raisins, leaf litter and dried flowers. The palate opens fairly full bodied, with fruit weight, a measured tannic bite and fresh acidity.
A Bottle To Understand It
Choose P.Lex Barolo. It is made entirely from Nebbiolo and belongs to the Barolo appellation. The other named wines are Nebbiolo d'Alba, Barbera, Arneis and Moscato. The first pour therefore stays with the Barolo appellation before the range moves to those other grape categories.
Anecdote
At the Decanter World Wine Awards in 2024, Monchiero Fratelli's Montanello Barolo 2020 was selected for Best in Show. The bottle was identified as Montanello, Barolo, Piedmont.
Final Word
Monchiero Fratelli Azienda Agricola combines Barolo Nebbiolo from Castiglione Falletto and La Morra with Nebbiolo d'Alba, Barbera, Arneis and Moscato from parcels in Alba, Roddi, Verduno and Treiso.