The 2016 Barolo is absolutely gorgeous. Dark cherry, red plum, mint, spice and licorice infuse this transparent, gracious Barolo with striking nuance and complexity. Medium in body and gracious, this deceptively mid-weight Barolo is endowed with superb pedigree. The 2016 spent 20 to 25 days on the skins and 24 months in oak - mostly cask and some tonneau. Vineyard sites are San Giovanni, San Pietro and a dollop of Ginestra, all in Monforte. This is a magnificent wine in its peer group - in any peer group, actually. Quite frankly, today it is my favorite wine in the range, especially for its inner perfume, sweetness and gorgeous fruit. But, it is also a wine in cement and has not been bottled yet, so that could explain a lot.

Monforte d'Alba. Tasted blind. Mid ruby. Brooding and deep with hints of old leather and liquorice. Slow cherry fruit on the palate and bags of chalky tannins. Really unfolds on the sweet-sour cherry finish. (WS)