Laboro Disobedient

ラボーロ・ディスオビディエント(ラボーロ・ディスビディエンテ)

A. & G. Fantino

Nebbiolo

About this wine

An idiosyncratic tribute to old-style Barolo, born from a 2005 bureaucratic mix-up that kept what was meant to be the estate's Riserva from receiving DOCG certification. Rather than reclassify it, the Fantino brothers released it under its own name and continued the practice from 2010 onward: a Barolo Riserva in style and technique, declassified deliberately to Italy's lowest legal wine category (vino rosso/table wine). Made from the estate's oldest vines (60+ years) in the south-facing Bussia cru, fermented in open-top wooden vats and aged five years in large old botti, touching only used wood and never modern technology. Deep and brawny, with dark fruit and balsamic notes of incense, tea, and spice, finishing with thick, chewy tannin.

Beginner's Note

A cult, story-rich bottling for adventurous drinkers — not a starting point, but a fascinating detour once you know the estate.

Sommelier's Note

"Technically a table wine, spiritually a Riserva Barolo — Laboro Disobedient is the most honest proof that classification and quality are two different things."

Food Pairings

A powerful wine for equally powerful food: aged game, wild boar ragù, or long-braised beef cheek.

When to drink it

Wine-geek dinners, storytelling over the bottle, pairing with rustic braised game dishes

Specs

Grape Varieties
Nebbiolo
Style
Red
Price Range
$45-65 (US retail, ex-tax)

Terroir & Winemaking

100% Nebbiolo from vines 60+ years old in the south-facing Bussia cru. Fermented in open-top wooden vats; aged 5 years in large old Slavonian oak botti; deliberately declassified to Italy's vino rosso (table wine) category rather than Barolo DOCG.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is a wine this serious classified as a basic table wine?
Due to a 2005 certification mix-up, the Fantino brothers' would-be Barolo Riserva couldn't be labeled DOCG, so they embraced it and released it under its own name at the lowest legal category, continuing deliberately from 2010.
What does the name mean?
'Laboro' plays on 'Barolo' and the Italian word for labor/work; 'Disubbidiente' means disobedient, referencing its rebellion against classification rules.
How is it made?
Fermented in open-top wooden vats and aged five years in large old oak botti from the estate's oldest (60+ year) vines in Bussia, using only traditional techniques.
What does it taste like?
Deep and brawny, with dark fruit, incense, tea, and spice notes, finishing with thick, chewy tannin.

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