2015 Barolo
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Tasting notes
Elio Altare gives me a bit of his winemaker's wisdom: "Wine is like a marriage—it needs to be consummated early." With that in mind, the 2015 Barolo is engineered for near- and medium-term drinking with lots of plump fruit that jumps right out. The wine is open and inviting. Dark fruit is followed by warm tones of tilled earth and cured tobacco. Grapes are harvested from different parcels in four vineyard passes. In 2015, the team had the time to wait for each parcel to mature properly because the harvest was relaxed and spread over more comfortable timing. This Barolo would match up nicely with a mild liver dish.
Critic scores
Average Score
Tim Jackson MW, jancisrobinson.com
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Grapes come from vineyards in La Morra (Rocchettevino), Castiglione Falletto (Pernanno), Serralunga and Barolo (Liste). Lustrous ruby. Finely spiced raspberry nose. Elegant, juicy palate and fragrant finish with wonderful tannins. Precise and finely built. (WS)
Pale-medium ruby. Nutty oak that is pretty well integrated into bramble fruit, some dried-herb tones and a touch of old leather. Brisk acidity lifts ripe and dried cherry fruit. Chocolate oak and some smokiness. Firm, slightly chalky tannins. Touch of warmth to the finish, but there’s good length here. (TJ)
The 2015 Barolo is an absolutely glorious wine. Sensual, silky and polished, the 2015 has so much to offer. Bright red berry fruit is nicely complemented by an array of floral and spiced notes that add nuance. Polished tannins add to the wine's considerable near-term appeal, but the straight Barolo also has a track record here of aging exceptionally well. Vineyard sites include Pernanno, Sarmassa, Rochettevino and Cerretta. Don't miss it.