It’s tough to miss the cheerful sunflower painted on the side of Barolo Grill while cruising eastbound on Sixth Avenue in Denver. The restaurant has been there since 1992, and that sunny flower acts like a beacon to those seeking some of the best Northern Italian food in town, paired with an esteemed wine list.
Owner and wine director Ryan Fletter takes special pride in the restaurant’s vinous offerings, so much so that it earned the distinction of Denver’s first and only recipient of Wine Spectator’s Grand Award, a recognition shared by only 96 establishments worldwide.
The extensive wine list features over 450 selections from Italy’s Barolo region, featuring Barbarescos and Brunellos, with vintages dating back to the 1960s and 1970s, as well as other stunning features from around Italy, Champagne, and various great regions and producers.
To ensure authenticity, the restaurant has funded yearly, week-long staff trips to Italy (shutting its doors so all can join) since 1995. These epic explorations directly inform the menu and wine lists.
Integral to the success of Barolo Grill’s wine program is sommelier Erin Lindstone. In 2023, Lindstone and Fletter received the inaugural MICHELIN Guide Colorado Sommelier Award, highlighting their expertise and dedication to exceptional wine service. Watch the video below and read on to learn more about this excellent program.
Exploring Barolo Grill’s Wine List With Sommelier Erin Lindstone
With Erin at the helm, I settled into one of Barolo Grill’s impressive private dining areas, which also houses a remarkable segment of the restaurant’s wine collection. Together we explored the volcanic slopes of Mount Etna, Piemonte’s rolling hills, and Tuscany’s sun-drenched coast with this special lineup. Each wine we tasted told a story, be that of its land, grape, and the passion behind the creation.
The tasting journey began with expressive whites from the Mediterranean-inspired elegance of Ca’Marcanda’s Vistamare to the rare and age-worthy Timorasso. Next, we transitioned into the reds, showcasing everything from the delicate finesse of Oltrepò Pavese Pinot Nero to the power and grace of Barolo and Barbaresco.
Throughout the lineup we explored the dance between Mother Nature and man, and the resulting wines that reflected place and time. Whether from the dynamic energy of young wines or the complexity and depth of aged vintages, each lovingly expressed Italy’s winemaking heritage. Because of all this, Barolo Grill holds its space at the heart of Denver’s dining scene for good reason. Whether you’re in for a special occasion or joining fellow oenophiles at the bar, the commitment to the guest experience is unparalleled.
While the wines do vary, and they always do, the expert service, ambiance, and comfort you’ll find here remain consistent each time. Here’s a comprehensive list of the last tasting, and what you may find when you dine at Barolo Grill next.
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The White Wine at Barolo Grill
Toscana Bianco ‘Vistamare’ Ca’Marcanda 2023 (Toscana)
Ca’Marcanda is the Bolgheri estate of Angelo Gaja, one of Italy’s most legendary winemakers. “Vistamare” translates to “sea view,” reflecting the wine’s coastal inspiration.
Tasting Notes: A lush, Mediterranean-style white with aromas of stone fruit, citrus blossoms, and honeydew. The palate is silky with bright acidity, minerality, and a lingering saline finish.
Timorasso ‘Derthona’ Mandirola 1913, 2022 (Piemonte)
Timorasso, once nearly extinct, has been revived as Piemonte’s answer to fine white wines. “Derthona” refers to the ancient name for Tortona, the heart of Timorasso production.
Tasting Notes: Intense and structured, this Timorasso offers ripe pear, white flowers, chamomile, and a distinctive mineral backbone. Rich texture with age-worthy potential.
Langhe Riesling, G.D. Vajra 2023 (Piemonte)
G.D. Vajra is known for Nebbiolo but pioneered Langhe Riesling, proving the variety thrives in Piemonte’s cool microclimates.
Tasting Notes: High-altitude freshness with green apple, lime zest, white peach, and flinty minerality. Vibrant acidity and a long, precise finish.
Trebbiano Spoletino, Lorenzo Mattoni 2022 (Umbria)
Trebbiano Spoletino is distinct from other Trebbiano varieties and is making a comeback in Umbria for its ability to balance acidity and structure.
Tasting Notes: Exotic and aromatic with notes of citrus, apricot, almond, and a slightly spicy finish. A textured white with both freshness and depth.
The Red Wines at Barolo Grill
Pinot Nero ‘Tiamat’ Cordero San Giorgio 2022 (Lombardia)
Grown in Oltrepò Pavese, a hidden wonder for Pinot Noir in Italy. The estate was revitalized by the De’ Stefani family with a focus on biodynamic farming.
Tasting Notes: Elegant and Burgundian in style, with bright red cherry, wild strawberry, violet, and a hint of earthiness. Fine tannins and a silky finish.
Etna Rosso ‘ValCerasa’ Alice Bonaccorsi 2019 (Sicilia)
Made from Nerello Mascalese grown on the northern slopes of Mount Etna, where the high elevation and volcanic soils create wines of finesse and power.
Tasting Notes: A volcanic beauty with red berries, wild herbs, smoke, and a distinct minerality. Structured but elegant, with a lingering, spicy finish.
Barolo ‘Commune di La Morra’ Gianni Gagliardo 2019 (Piemonte)
La Morra is known for producing some of the most elegant and perfumed Barolos thanks to its high-altitude vineyards and sandy soils.
Tasting Notes: Floral and lifted, with notes of rose petal, cherry, tar, and licorice. Silky tannins make this an earlier-drinking but structured Barolo.
Barbaresco Riserva ‘Campo Quadro’ Punset 2015 (Piemonte)
Punset is a pioneer in organic and biodynamic Barbaresco, making some of the region’s most expressive and age-worthy wines.
Tasting Notes: Dark cherry, dried herbs, cedar, and spice. Powerful and structured with great aging potential, yet showing impressive finesse now.
Barolo ‘Broglio’ Palladino 1995 (Piemonte)
A rare chance to drink aged Barolo from a classic vintage. The Broglio cru, near Serralunga d’Alba, produces structured, long-lived wines.
Tasting Notes: Fully mature with dried roses, leather, truffle, and tobacco. Still lively acidity with softened tannins and a lingering finish of dried cherries and spice.
Barbaresco ‘Curra’ Sottimano 2013 (Piemonte)
The Currà vineyard is one of Barbaresco’s top crus, known for its structured and long-lived wines. 2013 was a stellar vintage with classic balance.
Tasting Notes: Rich and intense, with black cherry, tar, violets, and a touch of menthol. Firm tannins, great depth, and a long, elegant finish.
Visit Barolo Grill Tuesday through Saturday from 5 to 9:30 p.m. The restaurant is closed Sunday and Monday. 3030 E. 6th Ave., Denver, barologrilldenver.com
