The flagship Barolo of Agricola Gian Piero Marrone, Pichemej 2021 represents the estate’s selection of its finest Nebbiolo from prized vineyards in La Morra and Monforte d’Alba.
The name “Pichemej” comes from Piedmontese dialect and essentially means “more than better” — the very best. It was an expression used by the Marrone family’s grandfather to identify the finest barrel in the cellar. Today, Pichemej remains the pinnacle of the estate’s Barolo production.
The excellent 2021 vintage delivers a compelling combination of concentration and finesse: sour cherry, wild strawberry and redcurrant layered with dried flowers, spice, licorice and tobacco, supported by beautifully refined Nebbiolo tannins and substantial ageing potential.
Producer: Agricola Gian Piero Marrone
Region: Barolo DOCG, Piedmont, Italy
Grape: 100% Nebbiolo – Lampia & Michet
Vintage: 2021
Vineyards: La Morra & Monforte d’Alba
Exposure: Southwest
Altitude: 230–300 metres
Average Vine Planting: 1975
Harvest: Hand-Harvested
Winemaker: Valentina Marrone
Alcohol: 14.5%
Style: Powerful · Elegant · Complex · Age-Worthy
The two vineyard areas bring complementary personalities to the wine. La Morra, with its white clay and calcareous soils, contributes fragrance and finesse, while the sandy clay marls of Monforte d’Alba provide greater structure, body and tannic authority.
Nose:
Deep and expressive, opening with sour cherry, redcurrant, raspberry and wild strawberry, followed by dried rose and floral notes. With air, the wine develops layers of nutmeg, clove, licorice, tobacco, leather and earthy complexity.
Palate:
Rich and beautifully composed, with ripe red and dark cherry at its core. Savory spice, dried flowers and earthy Nebbiolo complexity gradually emerge, while vibrant acidity provides freshness and definition.
Structure:
Full-bodied and powerful, yet remarkably elegant. The tannins are substantial but extremely fine. Falstaff’s 2025 tasting of the 2021 specifically praised its silky, well-integrated tannins and balanced fruit, awarding the wine 92 points.
Finish:
Long, dry and persistent, with lingering sour cherry, dried rose, tobacco, licorice and spice, carried by fine Nebbiolo tannins and refreshing acidity.
Pichemej receives considerably more rigorous élevage than Marrone’s standard Barolo.
Following careful selection in the vineyard and a second selection during crushing, the Nebbiolo undergoes approximately 30 days of fermentation and skin maceration at 30°C.
Malolactic fermentation takes place in large 30-hectolitre barrels, followed by 30 months of ageing in wood. The wine receives bâtonnage on its fine lees during the first ten months, followed by bottling under nitrogen and a minimum of six additional months in temperature-controlled bottle storage.
The result is a Barolo with considerable depth and structure while retaining the perfume and elegance that define great Nebbiolo.
Pichemej occupies a special place within the Marrone portfolio.
The Piedmontese expression was traditionally used by the Marrone family to describe the very best barrel in the cellar. Rather than simply representing another Barolo bottling, Pichemej is intended to capture the finest fruit from the estate’s most important vineyards and represents what the family considers the maximum expression of its Nebbiolo.
Its personality comes from marrying two sides of Barolo: the aromatic delicacy of La Morra with the tannic power and structure of Monforte.
The 2021 vintage is particularly well suited to Pichemej, giving the wine the combination of concentration, freshness and tannic structure necessary for extended ageing.
The wine has already received strong critical recognition. Falstaff awarded the 2021 Pichemej 92 points, describing dark ruby-garnet color, redcurrant and sour cherry, savory wood spice and silky integrated tannins.
Wine Enthusiast awarded it 91 points, emphasizing its darker cherry, earthy and savory character and recommending drinking from 2026 onward.
This is still a very young Barolo, however, and I expect significantly greater complexity as the wine matures.
Marrone Pichemej Barolo 2021 is the estate’s flagship expression of Nebbiolo and a significant step above the standard Marrone Barolo in concentration, selection and ageing.
Its great strength is the marriage of La Morra elegance with Monforte structure. Red cherry, raspberry and wild strawberry provide the fruit, while dried flowers, spice, licorice, tobacco and earth gradually reveal themselves beneath the surface.
The 2021 vintage gives the wine excellent freshness and beautifully refined tannins, making it impressive today but, more importantly, giving it the structure to develop for many years.
For a customer wanting to experience the finest Barolo in the Marrone portfolio, Pichemej is the bottle I would recommend.
2027–2048+
It can certainly be approached now, but I would ideally give the 2021 another 2–4 years in bottle before opening.
For drinking young, decant for approximately 2 hours and serve at 18°C. Marrone itself recommends serving Pichemej from a decanter at 18–20°C.
From approximately 2030 onward, expect the youthful cherry and floral character to evolve toward dried rose, truffle, tobacco, leather, forest floor and savory spice.
Well-cellared bottles should have the structure to develop beautifully through the 2040s.
Pichemej deserves substantial dishes capable of matching its structure and aromatic complexity.
It is exceptional with Brasato al Barolo, braised beef short rib, roast lamb, venison, porcini mushrooms and white-truffle dishes. Mature hard cheeses such as Castelmagno and Parmigiano Reggiano also work beautifully.
For a particularly luxurious Piedmontese pairing, serve with Tajarin al Tartufo Bianco.
PAIR WITH:
Brasato al Barolo · Braised Beef Short Rib · Roast Lamb · Venison · Porcini Risotto · Tajarin with White Truffle · Castelmagno · Aged Parmigiano Reggiano
