What is the best weather, you might ask. The reason it’s hard to answer this question is the fact that each step of the way, the grapes need different things. You want rain in the growing season, but not too much. During the harvest, the absence of rain is preferred. It needs to be warm, but not too warm, and you also want the nights to be cooler toward the harvest, but not too cool. The grapes are indeed quite high maintenance.
But then you have the “magic” vintages. The weather in 2016 was just about as perfect as can get for the Nebbiolo grapes. The growing season was long, there was an absence of natural disasters like hail, the weather was stable toward the end of the season and the harvest was late.
Fratelli Revello
The Fratelli Revello story dates all the way back to 1945, but it wasn’t until 1967 they started to vinify their grapes under a family label – Giovanni Revello & Figli. In 1990, Carlo and Lorenzo Revello took over the estate, and worked together until 2016 when they decided to go in different directions. Fratelli Revello stayed with Lorenzo while Carlo started his own label: Carlo Revello & Figli.
It’s quite common for wineries to divide and “multiply” as the family grows. The same happened to the Corino’s in 2005. Just imagine how many would end up working at a winery if everyone had 2-4 children each! I think it’s a win-win, because then each sibling gets to make wine in their own way and we get another interpretation of the wine!
Fratelli Revello Barolo 2016
Barolo 2016 – the vintage to rule them all? Every vintage is different. Some are hot, some are cold, some are dry and some are wet. And then you have everything in between. Sometimes, you have a vintage where everything kind of lines up. 2016 is such a vintage.
The Fratelli Revello Barolo 2016 is no exception. It seduces you with aromas of red berries, licorice, tobacco and roses. The wine is powerful yet elegant, with a round fruity feel backed up by a good structure.
Barolo 2016 – the vintage to rule them all? Every vintage is different. Some are hot, some are cold, some are dry and some are wet. And then you have everything in between. Sometimes, you have a vintage where everything kind of lines up. 2016 is such a vintage.
What is the best weather, you might ask. The reason it’s hard to answer this question is the fact that each step of the way, the grapes need different things. You want rain in the growing season, but not too much. During the harvest, the absence of rain is preferred. It needs to be warm, but not too warm, and you also want the nights to be cooler toward the harvest, but not too cool. The grapes are indeed quite high maintenance.
But then you have the “magic” vintages. The weather in 2016 was just about as perfect as can get for the Nebbiolo grapes. The growing season was long, there was an absence of natural disasters like hail, the weather was stable toward the end of the season and the harvest was late.
Barolo 2016
A lot of good Barolos came out of 2016, but what struck me the most is the high quality of the classic blends compared to the Cru Barolos. The classic blends are usually simpler, less complicated and can sometimes be perceived as inferior to the Cru Barolos. But in 2016 the disparity between the two is much smaller. I found the blends to be approachable, elegant, fresh and complex. It might be the year to stock up on the classic blends and give your wallet a break.
Top 5
Among the Barolo 2016s I’ve tasted, a few stood out. The unifying aspect connecting these wines was the “wow” feeling I got when I tried them. They were more than good wines, there was something extraordinary about them.
Azelia Barolo Cerretta 2016 – Now we’re talking! A powerful Barolo with an explosive nose. Notes of chocolate, tobacco, fruit. Big but sweet tannins. Burlotto Barolo 2016 – Holy shit. An incredibly approachable Barolo with elegant tannins. On the nose you’ll find hints of spices, tobacco, some chocolate and violets. Diego e Damiano Barale Barolo 2016 – Smooth and elegant Barolo with notes of leather, roses and red fruit. Excellent structure with round but persistent tannins. Francesco Borgogno Barolo Brunate 2016 – Beautiful nose, just like a Brunate should smell. Elegant wine with a long finish. Hints of tar on the nose. Marengo Barolo Brunate 2016 – Holy tits on toast. Those were my exact notes. A beautiful nose – floral and fruity. Elegant tannins, very smooth. This wine has huge potential.
Note that our tastes may differ, and these are based on my personal preferences. The wines are sorted in alphabetical order.
Barolo 2016 Tasting Notes
Andrea Oberto Barolo Commune di La Morra A very fresh Barolo with some balsamic notes. Hint of red fruit and tobacco. Tasted blind next to Barolo Rocche dell’Annunziata 2016 and Barolo Arbarella 2015.
Andrea Oberto Barolo Rocche dell’Annunziata Lovely floral and fruity nose. A big wine with sweet (round) tannins. My favorite Barolo 2016 from Andrea Oberto. Tasted blind next to Barolo 2016 and Barolo Arbarella 2015.
Andrea Oberto Barolo Albarella A very floral and feminine Barolo with hint of licorice. Tasted next to the Barolo Albarella 2015, and although 2015 is a good vintage, 2016 is definitely more expressive and approachable.
Azelia Barolo Floral and fruity nose, elegant tannins, good structure and long finish. A classic Barolo with grapes from Castiglione and Serralunga, giving the wine a good mix of feminine and masculine characteristics.
Azelia Barolo Margheria A powerful wine! Notes of tobacco, chocolate and spices.
Azelia Barolo San Rocco Another big wine from Azelia. Notes of chocolate and warm dark fruit.
Azelia Barolo Cerretta Now we’re talking! A powerful Barolo with an explosive nose. Notes of chocolate, tobacco, fruit. Big but sweet tannins.
Burlotto Barolo Holy shit. An incredibly approachable Barolo with elegant tannins. On the nose you’ll find hints of spices, tobacco, some chocolate and violets.
Burlotto Barolo Acclivi My first thought: What an extreme difference to the classic. The nose was so much more explosive. Roses, wet forest floor, spices. Smooth tannins. Spicy in the mouth.
Burlotto Barolo Monvigliero Again, so different on the nose. Typical monvigliero notes, almost like perfume. Spicy and floral. Impressive wine that is both powerful and elegant at the same time, with a long finish.
Burlotto Barolo Cannubi Floral, fruity, fresh. Bigger in the mouth than the other three. Big but with sweet tannins, making it relatively approachable now. But this is a wine I would store for a while.
Cascina Fontana Barolo “A wine complete” – Mario. Everything is good – well integrated, good nose, good structure. Elegant with a long finish.
Cascina Fontana Barolo Castiglione More masculine notes compared to the classic Barolo. Bigger in the mouth, but still elegant.
Cavallotto Barolo Beautiful nose with notes of roses, fruit and leather. Very elegant tannins.
Cavallotto Barolo Vignolo Big but approachable. Notes of roses and tobacco. Long finish.
Chiara Boschis Barolo Cannubi Explosive nose, very feminine and fresh. A very elegant Barolo.
Chiara Boschis Barolo Nia Nuova Via Nuova is a lot bigger than Cannubi, more masculine.
Chiara Boschis Barolo Mosconi A big wine with a long finish. Can feel the Monforte tannins. Huge potential!
Diego e Damiano Barale Barolo Smooth and elegant Barolo with notes of leather, roses and red fruit. Excellent structure with round but persistent tannins.
Diego Morra Barolo Zinzasco Balsamic and tobacco on the nose with a hint of chocolate. Big round tannins but they go away quite quickly and then you’re left with beautiful fruit and chocolate.
Ettore Germano Barolo Prapo A powerful yet elegant Barolo with softer tannins.
Ettore Germano Barolo Cerretta More powerful and concentrated. Balsamic nose with hints of concentrated fruit. Powerful tannins, a rustic Barolo.
Francesco Borgogno Barolo Brunate Beautiful nose, just like a Brunate should smell. Elegant wine with a long finish. Hints of tar on the nose.
Fratelli Revello Barolo The Fratelli Revello Barolo 2016 seduces you with aromas of red berries, licorice, tobacco and roses. The wine is powerful yet elegant, with a round fruity feel backed up by a good structure.
Gianfranco Alessandria Barolo Notes of oak, spices and rose petals. Big tannins, typical of a Monforte Barolo. Very good, long finish.
Gianfranco Alessandria Barolo San Giovanni This Barolo smells just like e a Barolo should smell. Some oak notes in addition to notes of licorice, leather and cherries. Big in the mouth, a typical Monforte Barolo. A tad spicy with a long finish.
Luigi Pira Barolo Marenca A more masculine and austere Barolo, but also quite crisp and fresh. Notes of tobacco, spices and menthol.
Luigi Pira Barolo Vignarionda Beautiful nose with notes of roses, red fruit and chocolate. An explosive wine with a long finish.
Marengo Barolo Smells just like a Barolo should, with notes of roses, leather and fruit. Smooth tannins that disappear quickly.
Marengo Barolo Bricco Delle Viole A more floral nose compared to the classic, with hints of roses and violets. More tannins than the classic as well.
Marengo Barolo Brunate Holy tits on toast. Those were my exact notes. A beautiful nose – floral and fruity. Elegant tannins, very smooth. This wine has huge potential.
Mauro Veglio Barolo Subtle nose with notes of spices, leather, flowers. Tastes just like a Barolo should taste – elegant and balanced. A big powerful wine, yet elegant, with a long finish.
Mauro Veglio Barolo Arborina Smells like Arborina, a beautifully feminine wine. Notes of rose petals with a hint of leather. An impressive Barolo that’s smooth in the mouth. Arborina tends to be more direct/vertical than Gattera.
Mauro Veglio Barolo Gattera Slightlymore masculine than Arborina. Notes of wet soil, spices, leather on the nose. Bigger tannins, rounder, more complex than the Arborina.
Mauro Veglio Barolo Castelletto Very spicy nose. Notes of tar and forest floor. More tannins and more structure than Arborina and Gattera.
Mauro Veglio Paiagallo Mauro Veglio Barolo Paiagallo 2016 has a very elegant nose of red berries, mainly strawberry and raspberry. The wine is powerful but elegant. Remarkably soft tannins!
Mauro Molino Barolo Bricco Luciani Feminine with smooth tannins. Red berries and floral notes.
Nadia Curto Barolo La Foia More tension than 2015. Fresh and crisp. Big but elegant.
Trediberri Barolo Roses, tobacco and tar. A wonderful, big Barolo. Might need some time in the glass to open up.
Vietti Barolo Perfect Barolo nose! A powerful wine with big tannins but they disappear quickly and you’re left with wonderful fruit.
Vietti Barolo Lazzarito Fresh nose, very fruity and floral with hints of spices and forest floor. Good structure.
Vietti Barolo Ravera Balsamic nose with hints of leather and licorice. Spicy in the mouth with a long finish. This wine needs time
Vietti Barolo Brunate Beautiful nose – floral, elegant, fruity. Powerful but also elegant. Long finish.
My first encounted with the Burlotto Barolo 2016 happened to coincide with my first ever tasting in the little church. Covid-19 has changed many things, including how Fabio conducts his tastings. Fortunately, the only difference was the venue. The wines are still top quality, like they were 10-20 years ago (long before Galloni gave the 100 points). And Fabio is the same: kind, funny and honest.
The 2016 vintage has already gotten a lot of good press. This includes the Burlotto Barolo 2016 wines. Cannubi 2016 and Monvigliero 2016 recently recieved 100 points from Wine Advocate. But I have to say, the classic Barolo really blew me away. Literally my first note was “Holy Shit.” And it’s true what Fabio said: “The classico is open for business”.
2016 is a vintage of harmony
Fabio
Langhe Sauvignon 2019
2019 is a vintage with a lot of tension. One the nose of Langhe Sauvignon you get the stereotypical goosberry notes. Normally it’s not my favorite grape, but i quite like the 2019 vintage. High in acidity and salty in the mouth.
Pelaverga 2019
Can we call Pelaverga the unsung hero of Verduno? Maybe that’s taking it too far, but I don’t think Pelaverga get’s the attention it deserves. A perfect wine for a hot summer day. Goes well with food but can also be enjoyed as an aperitivo. The 2019 is almost sweet, leaving a very good feeling in the mouth. Spicy but light at the same time, and only has 13% alcohol.
This might be one of my absolute favorite Barbera’s. It’s not the first time I say this and it probably won’t be the last. The 2018 edition does not disappoint. Highacidity with dark fruits. Good grip, balanced. The Aves 2018 is high in alcohol but you don’t feel it in the mouth. How he does that is beyond me.
Langhe Freisa 2018
Strange nose. Almost like a pinot noir. Strawberry, fruity. Powerful tannins, bold wine.
Burlotto Barolo 2016
Barolo 2016
Holy shit. The Barolo Classico 2016 is so approachable. Spices, tobacco, some chocolate and violets on the nose. The tannins are sweet and the wine is elegant.
The Barolo Classico 2016 is very engaging now
Fabio
Barolo Acclivi 2016
My first thought: What an xtreme difference to the classic. The nose was so much more explosive. Roses, wet forest floor, spices. Smooth tannins. Spicy in the mouth.
Barolo Monvigliero 2016
Again, so different on the nose. Typical monvigliero notes, almost like perfume. Spicy and floral. Impressive wine that is both powerful and elegant at the same time, with a long finish.
Barolo Cannubi 2016
Floral, fruity, fresh. Bigger in the mouth than the other three. Big but with sweet tannins, making it relatively approachable now. But this is a wine I would store for a while.
Sneak Peak on the 2017
The 2017 Barolo’s are slightly more extreme and more concentrated than 2016. 2017 was a warm vintage, but Fabio does not see any sign of overripening in the wine. Overall he was quite happy with 2017 vintage. There is an important structure in the tannins. The wines will likely have a strong body.
You can immediately tell that the Gianfranco Alessandria Barolo 2016 is from Monforte. The “masculine” nose and big tannins give it away. On the nose you’ll also find hints of oak, but in the mouth this “disappears”, leaving you with a beautifully balanced wine. As with a typical Barolo, there are also notes of rose petals, red fruits and spices. The 2016 is an excellent vintage with immense potential!
The grapes in the Gianfranco Alessandria Barolo 2016 come from the same vineyard as the San Giovanni, but some of the plants are younger, about 25-45 years old. They use 100% French oak (20% new, 80% used) for 24 months before bottling.
Antonio Galloni’s thoughts
The 2016 Barolo is bright, floral and beautifully lifted. Crushed flowers, sweet red berry and mint all grace this subtle, nuanced Barolo. Medium in body, with lovely freshness and good depth, the 2016 has so much to offer. This is a very pretty, and refined straight Barolo. The 2016 has the potential to be a real overachiever. I especially like the wine’s inner sweetness and perfume.
Antonio Galloni
Gianfranco Alessandria
Smile. That’s what first comes to mind when I think of the Gianfranco Alessandria family of four. I have not met any family that smiles as much as and beautifully as they do. Their work is based on natural principles, respecting the time and methods required to obtain a product most correct in its form. They work as natural as possible only using minimal amounts of sulfur and copper sulfate, out of respect for the environment, as well as their own personal health.
You can check out the complete winemaker profile here.
PIEMONTEGIRL 