The 2016 Barolo Cerequio is a big, powerful wine. Chiarlo has chosen to bring out a bit more power and density than Cerequio seems naturally predisposed to, but it all works well. Black cherry, spice, leather, licorice and menthol all flesh out with some coaxing. The new oak tannins are pushed to the maximum, but it all works.

The 2016 Barolo Cerequio is born in the vineyard cru that best represents the excellent winemaking efforts of the Michele Chiarlo team. The estate owns a beautiful boutique hotel and restaurant in the middle of the vineyard and fittingly uses this spot for most public functions. This is a terrific expression, showing the power and balance of the vintage with pretty accents of wild fruit, rose and dark earth that render volume and intensity to the wine's overall performance.

La Morra. Tasted blind. Concentrated mid to deep ruby. Deep cherry fruit nose with a touch of Moroccan leather. Minerally, too. Concentrated, lush fruit palate of great depth and length and reined in by supple, fresh acidity and with an undertow of long, sandy tannins. Gorgeous. (WS)