deVine Thoughts

Author: Dirk Chan

Once in a lifetime, there comes a vintage so special that it receives unanimous accolades from critics, connoisseurs and winemakers alike, and such it is for the great 2016 Barolo Vintage. Hailed as the greatest since 1978 (drinking wonderfully), 1989, 2001 and 2010, the 2016 is a collector’s dream vintage with growing season conditions perfect in every way.

The star grape in Italy’s northern Piedmont wine region is the Nebbiolo grape, named for the misty fog that drifts over the hills at harvest time. While a tricky grape, thin-skinned and difficult to vinify, when fully ripened in a long growing season, it produces something sublime with its haunting blend of licorice, cherry, and floral aromas along with its layers of complex flavors yet elegantly structured are keys to the appeal. Both Barolo’s and Barbaresco’s produced in 2016 are already legendary.

“This is one of the best vintages I’ve ever made, with 35 harvests on my shoulders,” says Luca Currado, winemaker at Vietti, whose vineyards enjoy some of the best locale for Nebbiolo growing. His single vineyard Barolo’s all scored near perfect scores from a slew of critics and we have his Castiglione, a blend from his numerous vineyards on offer.

This is a must for any serious collector. Much like the 1996 and 2010’s when they came around, those who have some of those in their cellar only wish they had bought more. Don’t miss your chance here. The ultra-premiums are extremely rare and expensive already, but these “normales” would be nice in the 10-15 year range.

These wines pictured above from left to right are available in limited quantities and they won’t last so don’t leave it too long…

2016 Rocche Costamagna Barolo (Piedmont, Italy) – $57.99