Barolo

A wonderful creature is the Barolo 2016 by Batasiolo. Sophisticated scent of leather and liquorice, dried flowers and undergrowth. Straightforward, the round, fragrant taste follows its way into the persistent final. SUPERIORE.DE

"This is a solid Barolo with strawberry, meat, walnut and tar aromas and flavors. It’s full-bodied with rich fruit and tannins. Muscular, yet there’s elegance and polish to it at the same time." James Suckling

"Herbal and red fruit nose. Palate has a soft sweetness at the front which opens into warm earth, spices and autumnal notes. Lovely tannins. Long finish." Decanter

Barolo Paesi Tuoi was named after the novel by Cesare Pavese "Among Peasants" from 1941. Wide, warm scent of sour cherries, leather and mint. The expressive taste harmoniously engaging with silky tannins. A cleanly vinified Barolo with potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark glowing ruby red. In the nose of rich cherry and rich strawberry, supported by a pinch of red pepper and some forest fruit. Balanced and juicy on the palate, with smooth tannin and clear fruit, beautiful length, harmonious finish." Falstaff

"Intense aromas of rose petal, violet, underbrush and leather lead the way. Bright and focused, the palate offers red cherry, cinnamon and tobacco alongside fine-grained tannins." Wine Enthusiast

"Dusty, terracotta and berry aromas and flavors. It’s full-bodied and chewy with a solid balance of fruit and tannin. Bitter chocolate and burnt citrus to the dark fruit. Juicy. Two or three years of bottle age will make it even better." James Suckling

The Nebbiolo grapes of Matteo's entry-level Barolo come from his three vineyards Serralunga d'Alba, La Morra and Verduno. Bright garnet red. Precisely balanced bouquet of wild berries, rose petals and lovely herbal spice. At the palate then a bright acidity, perfectly integrated tannins and a beautifully worked out primary fruit. Already very accessible when young, it will nevertheless increase in complexity with the years. Excellent value! SUPERIORE.DE

Barolo Essenze is made from a collection of grapes from six different vineyards: Bussia in Monforte, Annunziata in La Morra, Ravera in Novello, La Volta in Barolo, Scarrone in Castiglione Falletto and Gianetto in Serralunga. The wine displays an immaculate ruby red and a bouquet with varied aromas of licorice and toasted notes. The palate is confident and lush, with noble tannins on the final. SUPERIORE.DE

"Sumptuous cherry and raspberry nose. Rich and voluptuous, with fine concentration and explosive fruit. Ripe but not jammy, with plenty of spice and vigour; forward but has sufficient structure to age. One for the hedonists!" Decanter

"Intense aromas of dark fruit and hints of wood, walnut and chocolate. Yet, it remains subtle and focused. Full-bodied, very dense and rich with a dusty and chewy tannin mouthfeel and a long, flavorful finish. Very attractive. Drink from 2022." James Suckling

Brilliant ruby garnet, intense bouquet with notes of liquorice and tar, then rose scent and cherries. On the palate with very fine tannins, spicy, delicate and at the same time very rich and clear, long and balsamic in the final. SUPERIORE.DE

"Just mid ruby. A subtle, balsamic, lifted nose that is a little closed and with savoury, minerally notes. Opens up with aeration to pure cherry fruit. Focused, concentrated cherry fruit with a rich layer of intense, powdery tannins. Very elegant, with real freshness and concentration at the same time." Jancis Robinson

"The 2017 Barolo Cascina Nuova is an attractive wine to drink now and over the next decade or so. Bright red-toned fruit, crushed rose petal and mint open in the glass." Vinous

"Attractive dried strawberry with cherry and tar on the nose. Full-bodied with powerful tannins that are dusty and intense. Very flavorful and long. Solid as a rock." James Suckling

Dark garnet red with beautiful reflections. Aromas of cherry, strawberry, eucalyptus, tobacco and spices. A wonderfully balanced wine of fruit, fine acidity and polished tannin. For us, one of the best representatives of its vintage! SUPERIORE.DE

"Long established in the area of Dogliani, Pecchenino is known for first-rate Dolcetto. Holdings in Barolo are more recent and include vineyards in Bussia, Le Coste di Monforte and Ravera di Monforte - San Giuseppe blends fruit from all three for this wine. After a little coaxing, bright red fruits mingle with orange, rose and mushroom. Polished, silky tannins provide effortless support to pristine ripe fruit. This is vibrant throughout with a lingering strawberry finish, and while the structure is already approachable, its complexities will become more prominent with time in the bottle." Decanter

"Plenty of tannic clout signals this cherry and currant-flavored Barolo. Its solid structure supports the fruit and secondary notes of eucalyptus, juniper, mown hay and stone. Though slim, it persists, and there is plenty to like despite the stiff tannins." Wine Spectator

"This is a proprietary blend of Nebbiolo made by Pecchenino. The 2016 Barolo San Giuseppe is a blend of fruit from three crus. It breaks down as 35% from Le Coste di Monforte, 15% from Bussia and 50% from Ravera in Monforte. There is a sultry theme here (like we saw in the Barolo Bussia) with dark fruit, pressed blackberry, black licorice and spice. This winery tends to experiment with long skin maceration times at warm temperatures. These techniques result in the density and sheer fruit weight you get here." Robert Parker

"The 2016 Barolo San Giuseppe is a very pretty, ethereal wine. Sweet red berry fruit, flowers, mint, cinnamon and pine give the 2016 a striking upper register. Bright and translucent in the glass, with lovely depth, the 2016 is classic in bearing but also has enough fruit and mid-palate pliancy to avoid being overly austere for a young Barolo." Vinous

"Ripe and rich Barolo with dried-berry and chocolate aromas and flavors and hints of hazelnuts. It’s full-bodied with rich, ripe tannins and a flavorful finish. Give it two or three years to soften. Better after 2022." James Suckling

Forest fruits in the bouquet, in addition ink, tobacco and gentian. The juicy, full taste is supported by velvety tannins of only very little astringency and goes through a great development in the glass, which is already inspiring. SUPERIORE.DE

"Lustrous mid ruby. Freshness and lift on the nose and with plenty of depth. Just a touch of oak. Lush and fresh palate with a polished, grainy layer of tannins. A wine to drink gallons of." Jancis Robinson

"The 2016 Barolo is bright, fresh and full of life. Medium in body and perfumed, the straight Barolo will give readers a good idea of the direction the estate is headed in. Light on its feet and nuanced, with good energy, the 2016 is quite attractive. But more than that, it points to a very bright future here." Vinous

"This red is fresh, elegant and underscored by a solid tannic structure. A bit compact midpalate, compressing the black cherry, blackberry, iron, tobacco and spice flavors. Sleek and long, with terrific balance." Wine Spectator

"The classic 2016 Barolo by Domenico Clerico is a generous and full wine that offers a panoramic view of the Nebbiolo grape all in bright Technicolor and with the appropriate intensity. The wine's all-encompassing approach brings many details into focus, including wild cherry, spice, leather and ferrous soil. Fruit is exclusively from Monforte d'Alba, with some from the lower parts of Pajana and Per Cristina and some from the younger vines planted in Ciabot Mentin. This is an elegant expression with the mild oak signature that is an important part of the Clerico playlist. Camphor ash and burnt embers lift lightly as the wine opens in the glass." Robert Parker

"Plums, cured meat and white truffles. Pretty aromas. Full-bodied with chewy, ripe tannins and a long, flavorful finish. It’s very structured with lots of ripe tannins and ripe fruit that envelop the phenolics. Solid and real. Give it time to soften and come together. Try after 2023." James Suckling

The 2017 Barolo del Comune di Monforte d'Alba from Domenico Clerico is beautiful. Of subtle extract sweetness, perfumed and beautifully built, the 2017 shows all the appeal of which this high altitude site is capable. Sweet macerated cherry, mint, spice, orange peel and raspberry linger on the lingering, slightly vibrant and agile finish. The 2017 will particularly appeal to those who prefer fragrant, medium-bodied Barolos. SUPERIORE.DE

Essenze Barolo Riserva is vinified only in the best vintages. It is a blend of the best grapes from the vineyards of the Comune del Barolo. Ethereal scent, some forest earth, tar, tobacco and spices. A wonderfully balanced Barolo with fine acid and tannin structure and beautiful fruit component - completely in the style of the house and made for a long life! SUPERIORE.DE

"A robust wine, powerful, also muscular with grippy tannin and many exciting facets. In the fragrance fresh blackberry and cranberry with a pinch of liquorice powder, plus the typical scent of forest floor and dried mushrooms. The veil of tannin under which young Barolo lies has already lifted somewhat." Jens Priewe

"Dark shining ruby red with delicately brightening rim. In the nose slightly balsamic with dark berry fruit and mild leather, in the reverberation after noble mushrooms and undergrowth. Opens on the palate with elegant melting and great density, balanced between tannin, acidity and fruit, spans a coordinated arc, pithy final." Falstaff

Giulia Negri would certainly not have the nickname "Barolo girl" if this wine did not exist. The grapes for this archetype of a modern-traditional (sic!) Barolo come from the top vineyards Brunate and Serradenari, the latter is located at an altitude of up to 520 m, and the soils are clayey-sandy. The grapes are fermented spontaneously and then the actual maturation takes place in large oak barrels. Barriques? Not at all.

Strong bright ruby red. In the fragrance rose petals, nutty notes and small red berries. The fine fragrance continues on the palate: even if it does not deny its origin and also the grape variety, it is of an almost unique elegance and freshness that allows it to be identified as a lively and completely complete top wine even when young. Further years of maturity are certainly not a mistake, because one feels impressively how the complexity increasing with the age joins the finesse and elegance already unmistakable today. One bottle for now and don't put the rest too far away in the cellar, please! SUPERIORE.DE

"The Giulia Negri 2016 Barolo La Tartufaia is a light to mid-weight expression with delicate touches of cassis, dried berry, violets and rose petal. There are earthy tones as well that slowly segue to tobacco and light spice. All said and done, the mouthfeel is light considering the power of this classic vintage, but the wine is accessible and approachable from the get-go." Robert Parker

"Menthol and eucalyptus aromas outline the strawberry, cherry and rose flavors in this sleek red. It's firm and lively, with moderate grip on the lightly chewy, iron-tinged finish." Wine Spectator

Barolo Albe comes from the three parcels Fossati, Castello della Volta and Costa di Vergne. Brilliant and finely shaped on the palate, expressive floral notes merge with bright red fruits, mint and ground berries to create a lively and distinctive Barolo that is endowed with pure energy and class. It is juicy and fruity and a clear buy not only because of its comparatively moderate price! SUPERIORE.DE

"Translucent ruby. Edgy, tarry nose that's very ethereal. Tannic grip and quite a bit of heat on the way there. Floats on the palate - it's certainly not heavy, and has quite enough freshness. Long and relatively open." Jancis Robinson

"The 2017 Barolo Albe is exquisite. Bright and beautifully lifted, the 2017 Albe is a wine of pure and total pleasure. All the elements come together so gracefully. Crushed flowers, red berries, mint, cinnamon and lavender are some of the many notes that open in the glass. The 2017 is so nicely done in the way it captures the radiance of the year and the classicism that runs through all these wines. Vineyard sites are Fossati, Costa di Vergne and Le Volte." Vinous

"Fresh and floral aromas with plum, orange peel and some cedar follow through to a medium body with fine tannins and a fresh finish. Very drinkable now, but will improve with age." James Suckling

Brilliant ruby red, in the nose a fully ripe berry bouquet with warm spice, mushroom and cocoa notes. Rich and juicy on the palate with sweet oak wood and lush fruit. Ravera Riserva 2012 culminates in a firm finish, in which the ripe fruit and polished tannins are once again evident. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby red. Intense, very typical Nebbiolo scent of the fine kind, fragrant cherry shades, especially wild cherry, in addition sweet tobacco, earthy notes, rose petals and liquorice. Very elegant palate, incredibly juicy with sweet spices and dried red berries. Despite its strength, it shows a certain refinement with silky tannins, piquant acidity and delicate astringency, which gives the wine a peppery freshness and animation. A racy ravera!" Weinwisser

"Mid ruby with orange tinges. Perfumed cherry and sweet raspberry with malty notes ad wet, dark earth and spice - perhaps this has seen a little new oak? full sour cherry palate completely filling out the palate, but still a little embryonic. Lots of polished coating tannins framing the ripe, supple fruit. Can already be approached, but a steak should be taken into account. Jancis Robinson

"Aromas of fresh mushrooms, blueberries and plums with orange peel follow through to a full body with layers of ripe tannins and fruit A long and flavorful finish. Loads going on here still. Just starting to come around." James Suckling

Boscareto from Serralunga d'Alba smells intensely of leather and liquorice, dried flowers and undergrowth, straightforwardly the round, fragrant taste follows its way into the persistent final. SUPERIORE.DE

"Beni di Batasiolo makes two top-end single-vineyard Baroli, and the 2016 Barolo Boscareto is one of those. This wine sees fruit from Serralunga d'Alba and therefore represents the bolder and more powerful of the two. But in all honesty, the differences are minimal, especially in a vintage such as 2016 that so successfully brings out the purity of the fruit across all vineyard sites." Robert Parker

"Savoury nose with baked earth and blackberry fruit. Palate is extracted, with a core of sweetness and a rasp of tannin. Long finish." Decanter

"Aromas of flowers, cedar, strawberries and chocolate follow through to a full body, with a solid core of fruit and tannins and a chewy finish. Needs time to soften." James Suckling

Barolo Vigneto Garretti smells invitingly floral of small, white flowers, berries and spices. On the palate freshness, medium body and firm tannins, you can feel the great potential. Barolo Garretti is a wine from the slopes of the La Spinetta estate in Grinzane Cavour. Previously, these grapes were used in the Barolo Campé. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2016 Barolo Vigneto Garretti is bold, racy and super-expressive. Succulent dark cherry, lavender, spice, menthol, red flowers, licorice, and French oak all meld together in this creamy, racy wine from La Spinetta. The Garretti captures all of the richness and pedigree of the year in a forward, succulent style that is sure to find many admirers. This is an especially strong vintage for this wine, though it needs another year in bottle for the big tannins to soften. I won't be surprised if the 2016 turns out to be even better than this note suggests; today it is absolutely delicious." Vinous

"A full-bodied red with classic aromas of sour cherries, dried leaves, dried orange peel and tar. Juicy and mouthwatering on the palate with plenty of refreshing citrus zest, framed by firm, tight tannins. Big wine." James Suckling

"This entry-level Barolo is made with fruit from the younger vines from the Garretti cru in Grinzane Cavour, in the comune where La Spinetta has its ultra modern winery. The 2016 Barolo Vigneto Garretti offers a generous and accessible personality that makes this wine optimal for near or medium-term drinking. The bouquet is layered and rich with dark fruit, licorice, tar and toasted aniseed. The tannins are nicely managed in this vintage, showing both power and elegance." Robert Parker

The grapes for the garnet red Cerequio grow in La Morra. The bouquet is unmistakably balsamic, with fresh flowers, blackberries, dried mushrooms, spicy notes and the memory of incense and some tree bark. On the palate, the delicate fruitiness harmonizes with a subtle aroma of tobacco and coffee. Firm tannin, good acidity, elegant and balanced. SUPERIORE.DE

"Aromas of red berry, forest floor, rose petal and leather lead the nose. The structured, balanced palate offers red cherry, white pepper, clove and a hint of truffle alongside fine-grained tannins and bright acidity." Wine Enthusiast

"The lavender, light tar and ripe-strawberry aromas are really beautiful. Medium-to full-bodied with chewy yet refined tannins. Focused and flavorful." James Suckling

The grapes for the garnet red Cerequio grow in La Morra. The bouquet is unmistakably balsamic, with fresh flowers, blackberries, dried mushrooms, spicy notes and the memory of incense and some tree bark. On the palate, the delicate fruitiness harmonizes with a subtle aroma of tobacco and coffee. Firm tannin, good acidity, but focused, elegant and balanced. SUPERIORE.DE

"Perfumed and very pretty with aromas of ripe strawberries, dried flowers and sandalwood that follow through to a full-bodied, tight and compact palate. Give it a year or two to open, but already impressive." James Suckling

"Pure and fragrant nose with floral notes and sweet red berries. Palate has a richness to it with fine texture; tannins are full and fine beneath layers of complexity. This is a lovely drink. Captivating." Decanter

Barolo Brunate, cru from La Morra, shows the characteristic strength and definition of its terroir. The dark fruit is covered with chocolate and exotic spices, firm tannins and fine oak wood nuances together with the tight acid wire give length and longevity. SUPERIORE.DE

"Scents of raspberries and crystallised fruit. Palate is ripe and rich with fine and full tannins; great ageing potential." Decanter

"The Beni di Batasiolo 2016 Barolo Brunate offers a hint of ripe fruit with an open-knit or immediately welcoming approach. There is dark currant and cassis, followed by spice, earthy tones and a whisper of black truffle. In addition to that full-spectrum bouquet, this wine delivers solid fruit weight and concentration. The finish is long and driven by silky tannins." Robert Parker

"Complex and decadent with ripe strawberries, smoke and lavender. Some burnt-orange undertones. Full-bodied, tight and chewy with lots of tannins. Needs time to soften and open." James Suckling

Batasiolos Bussia comes from the Bofani vineyard in Monforte d'Alba. A Barolo in classic style with the exceptionally high quality of the 2016 vintage, which promises a long development. Complex aromas, crisp fruit, robust acidity and firm tannins form a structured, harmonious impression. SUPERIORE.DE

"Toasty raspberry nose. Very rich and concentrated, with admirable depth of fruit and grip. Evidently youthful, but has power and intensity. The firm tannins give ample structure and this will go the distance. Long, chocolatey finish." Decanter

The Barolo del Comune di Serralunga d'Alba is the most accessible of Luigi Baudana's three Baroli. Precise fruit with wonderful tones of black cherry, plum and cassis. The intensity of the characteristic Nebbiolo licorice and cola takes a bit of a back seat in this wine, as the dark fruit is the leading force. This vintage brings the acidity and natural structure to carry the wine for 10 years or more. And so it is no surprise that this Barolo needs a few more years to develop its full class and finesse. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2017 Barolo del Comune di Serralunga d'Alba may very well turn out to be one of the best wines of the year in its peer group. Dark and wonderfully expressive, yet also light on its feet for a Serralunga Barolo, the 2017 has so much going on. Black cherry, plum, spice, gravel, cured meats, lavender and sage all meld together in this dark yet translucent Barolo." Vinous

Barolo Castiglione is the best value of the house's five Barolos and impressively demonstrates Vietti's high level. It begins its grand entrance with dense aromas of dried cherries, plums and tar and then adds notes of white flowers and spices. Mineral shadings and memories of smoked meat follow. Equally layered and complex on the palate, grippy the silky tannins. It has a fine fruit and finesse already in younger years, which identifies it as one of the outstanding representatives of the appellation. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark shining ruby red. Open and inviting nose of very lush strawberries, underpinned by elegant spice, orange marmalade, violet scent. Shows up on the palate with tightly woven tannin and dense drink, lush cranberry, mineral undertones, bright finish, has power!" Falstaff

"While the exact blend of parcels varies from year to year, the backbone of Castiglione always comes from the Ravera cru of Novello. It has a dark and brooding character and takes time to open up. Winter mint, cedar and an intriguing earthiness offset nuances of red cherry and violets as they slowly emerge. Firm, vertical tannins shore up the palate but remain effortlessly sophisticated in this powerful and dense Barolo." Decanter

"Appealing aromas and flavors of rose, black currant, cherry, earth and tobacco mark this harmonious red, which is beautifully balanced and lingers with accents of fruit, earth and tobacco." Wine Spectator

"The 2016 Barolo Castiglione is a dazzling wine that will show readers just how compelling this vintage is, even among entry-level wines from top producers. Rich, ample and explosive, the 2016 possesses tremendous richness and resonance from the very first taste. Bright red cherry and red plum fruit, wild flowers, mint, blood orange and spice build as this sumptuous, dramatic Barolo shows all it's got. As always, the Castiglione is built on a core of fruit from Ravera. In 2016, the Castiglione benefits from the inclusion of several new sites, including Ginestra, Mosconi, Bricco Ravera (in Monforte), Le Coste, Costabelle, Meriame, Briccolina and Codana. All I can say is: What a wine!" Vinous

"The Vietti 2016 Barolo Castiglione opens to a grounded and authentic profile with hints of mint, balsam herb and tilled earth. The primary fruit is neatly folded into all those other components, and all received equal billing when the final results are counted. The entry-level Castiglione is always the most accessible of Vietti's Baroli, but this vintage shows a heightened level of intensity, complexity and freshness. Those silky tannins are followed by beautiful menthol brightness. This is a real charmer." Robert Parker

"Tight and focused with racy, fine tannins. I like the bright fruit and vivid acidity. Cedar, berry and white-truffle flavors. Tight and linear. Needs time to open." James Suckling

Barolo Castiglione is the best value of the house's five Barolos and impressively demonstrates Vietti's high level. It begins its grand entrance with dense aromas of dried cherries, plums and tar and then adds notes of white flowers and spices. Mineral shades and memories of smoked meat follow. On the palate, equally layered and complex, the silky tannins grippy. Even in its younger years, it has a fine fruit and finesse that identifies it as one of the outstanding representatives of the appellation." SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2017 Barolo Castiglione is a wild, exotic wine. Super-ripe red cherry, kirsch, cinnamon, tobacco, new leather and rose petal all flesh out in this ample, voluptuous Barolo from Vietti. The 2017 is a wine of significant heft hidden behind a wall of tannin. Give it a few years to soften or open it well in advance. Time brings out striking translucence as well as finesse." Vinous

"There's such purity of fruit to this with both dried and ripe strawberries and citrus rind. It's full-bodied and structured with layers of ripe tannins that are fine and polished. Tight at the end. Give this two or three years to open and soften." James Suckling

This top Barolo comes from the enchanting Corda della Briccolina parcel in Serralunga d'Alba and is the only one of the stately Barolo squad of the house to be aged in barriques. Garnet red with the bewitching scent of rose petals, rock candy, caramel and dried fruit. On the palate powerful, solemn and nicely tannin-heavy, long and harmonious in the finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"This opens with aromas of intense underbrush, tobacco leaf, leather, and roasted coffee bean. The palate offers up black cherry accented with nutmeg, dried sage, espresso and mocha alongside compact tannins that leave a drying finish."Wine Enthusiast

"Plenty of strawberries, flowers and grilled meats on the nose. Medium body, spicy and dried-fruit character with a hint of walnuts. Succulent finish."James Suckling

Full bouquet of dark fruits, spices, tar, smoke and wild mushrooms. Powerful on the palate with lots of berry fruit, nice inner sweetness and considerable acid wire, classic grippy tannins and a rich, long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Very bright red-flower aromas with fresh notes of orange zest and chamomile. The palate has a succulent, bright and juicy core of bright red-cherry flavor, fine and succulent tannins and a pure, fresh finish." James Suckling

"The 2015 Barolo Bussia is a very pretty, effusive wine that will drink well right out of the gate. Spice and floral notes open first. Silky and pliant, with lovely depth, the 2015 is so expressive today. Fine mineral notes extend the finish effortlessly while adding freshness and cut to balance the open-knit fruit. Readers looking for a Barolo to drink now will find so much to admire in the 2015 Bussia." Vinous

"The 2015 Barolo Bussia offers a deeper level of identity, grit and structure compared to the estate's Barolo from San Giusepppe. This wine reveals a tight inner core of fruit with lovely contours of spice, leather, tar, licorice and dried violets. You get a clean sense of the grape without too many bells or whistles. The finish is elegant and fine. Pair it with an authentic tajarin and white truffle shavings." Robert Parker

"A sleek red, displaying cherry, strawberry, floral, earth and tobacco flavors. Starts out with a fleshy feel, firming up as this winds down on the finish. Balanced and refreshing, lingering with earth, tobacco and spice notes in the end." Wine Spectator