Prunotto Ambassador Visit & Tasting Luncheon 2026-05-14

A few weeks earlier, I attended a trade tasting for Vinattieri 1385 which is the US promoter and importer for the famous Antinori family of Italy, winemakers since 1385. After that event, I received an invitation from their Market Manager, Patrick Bayne, CSW, WSET3, CSS, to a focused tasting from Prunotto Winery featuring their winery Ambassador, Emmanuele Baldi.

Unfortunately, Emmanuele could not attend due to a family emergency but Patrick went ahead and hosted the event for restaurateur and press attendees including me. The venue was Zanti Cucina Italiana in the River Oaks area of Houston.

History

Well before I had been really bitten by the wine bug, I heard about the Antinori Family from a '60 Minutes' segment over 17 years ago. Their history with Prunotto starts much more recently relative to the Antinori founding date, initially starting in 1989 with distribution and then formally taking over in 1994 when the owners at the time decided to retire and hand over the reigns. Since then the winery was a focus project for Albiera Antinori and the traditional Barolo focus has evolved and modernized.

The Tasting

The wines were poured before we seated and with at least a half hour before tasting, several wines opened up even more throughout the tasting.

2022 'Bric Turot' Barbaresco

"Bricco" means summit of the hill in the local Piedmontese dialect so the grapes in this Nebbiolo vineyard receive more sun exposure. The style here is elegant, soft and balanced with gentle tannins on the finish. This wine became more expressive over the course of the tasting.

2021 'Costamiole' Nizza Barbera d'Asti

This was the most "New World" wine in the lineup to me. The 12 months of 100% new French oak was evident with vanilla and spicy notes on the finish. The darker extraction of this Barbera can stand up to all that new oak. While the spicy finish was interesting, my preference is for a much more neutral oak expression though I can see how this wine would popular with the typical California red blend drinker.

2020 'Pian Romualdo' Barbera d'Alba

Same producer, completely different style due to terroir and wine making differences. This was my favorite of the two Barberas that were presented. With six years of bottle age, the wine was harmonious, lighter in mouthfeel than the 'Costamiole' and there was a distinct earthiness with laid-back fruit up front and mushroom, soft leather on the finish. This Barbera especially plus the Barolo pours worked beautifully with the Eggplant Parmigiana starter:

2019 Bussia Barolo*

*2020 was indicated on the tasting map but 2019 was what Patrick had available. From the famous Bussia amphitheater-shaped vineyard, this DOCG wine was absolutely lovely, red fruit, floral nose with silky tannins on the finish.

2021 Prunotto Barolo

Based on the wholesale pricing sheet this I believe is intended to be Prunotto's volume Barolo for the US market sourced from multiple vineyards. Compared to the Bussia single-vineyard, this was bigger with more heft on the palate. The aromatics were not as precise but to be sure, this was a beautiful wine that only falls a little short in comparison to the Bussia for my elegant style preference.

2019 Barolo Bussia Reserva 'Vigna Colonnello'

With time at the end Patrick treated us to this very limited production black-label beauty as a special bonus after the slated tasting pours. This was a gorgeous Barolo, poise + power in abundance. If anything, it was probably opened too early. Patrick's wholesale price sheet showed 2012 and 2017 vintages in stock. I imagine the 2012 is stunning now after 14 years in the bottle.

Thanks to Patrick Bayne and Vinattieri 1385 for hosting us. It should be noted the wines featured in this post are exclusively available on-premise (in restaurants) so I'd heartily recommend you ask your favorite Italian-focused restaurant if they carry Prunotto.