2016 Ceretto, Barolo

Ceretto offers a tour de force in the 2016 vintage with four excellent single-vineyard expressions from Bricco Rocche, Bussia, Brunate and Prapò. If you can't choose between those wines, you always have this excellent fallback. The classic 2016 Barolo offers dark intensity with great aromatic detailing. Fruit and some floral notes are followed by ferrous notes and a good amount of powdered licorice. The aromas are delicate and fragile; however, the wine deftly hides its power within the soft folds of its slender, mid-weight mouthfeel. This is a perfect go-to Barolo when you can't choose from all the excellent options in this benchmark 2016 vintage. This wine, like the others, hit the market in May 2020.

The 2016 Barolo shows great focus, tension and energy, with all of the vibrancy that is such a signature in this vintage, as well as that extra kick of richness that distinguishes Barolo from Barbaresco. The 2016 has really come together over the last few months. Blood orange, sweet tobacco, mint and sweet cherry notes add a beguiling upper register to this super-expressive wine.