2017 Paolo Scavino, Barolo, Cannubi

This is so perfumed with dried flowers, blackberries, spices and citrus peel. Medium-bodied with fine tannins that spread across the palate, giving this impressive focus and texture as you taste it. Like a real Cannubi, it’s very elegant and approachable, but you know it’s for the long term. Better in 2024 and onwards.

Sadly after this vintage, we only have one more. This Cannubi will no longer be produced after 2018. Enjoying it while we can, the Paolo Scavino 2017 Barolo Cannubi is fragrant and rich, showing a gorgeous level of aromatic purity and intensity that could not have been easy to achieve in the very hot vintage. Tones of wild cherry, blackberry, spice and sweet earth rise from the bouquet with prominence. This is a lovely wine that defies most everything we know about 2017.

The 2017 Barolo Cannubi is ripe with leather, cola spice, tobacco, and dried cherry. There is building structure and grip as well as a fairly long finish that continues to dry the palate. Hold 3-5 years and enjoy 2024-2046. Helmed by fourth generation winemaker Elisa Scavino, the estate owns and manages 30 hectares spanning eight of the 11 communes of the Barolo region and is based in Castiglione Falletto. Since 2007, they have implemented the use of a netted, submerged cap cylindrical system developed by Elisa’s father, Enrico, which achieves a delicate extraction during fermentation. They have moved to slower, longer fermentation periods, and as of 2018 will only be utilizing large casks. In the vineyard, there is great attention to the compression of the soils, creating a healthy ecosystem rich in oxygen and microorganisms and a sustainable approach.

The 2017 Barolo Cannubi is bright, effusive and punchy. It is also quite nervous at this stage. That won’t be an issue in a few years’ time, but readers should be prepared to be patient. Dark cherry, lavender, mint, cinnamon and star anise add lovely aromatic presence to this classy, mid-weight Barolo.