2016 Barolo Bric del Fiasc

Castiglione Falletto. Tasted blind. Mid ruby. Balsamic and almost a little ethereal on the nose. Generous fruit framed by bags of ripe grainy tannins adding contrast. Quite a powerful structure but nothing over the top. Muscular finish with cherry fruit and a hint of fruit cake. (WS)

Drawing its fruit from Castiglione Falletto, the Paolo Scavino 2016 Barolo Bric dël Fiasc shows dimension, depth, precision and power. The wine opens to a dark garnet color with a saturated hue, leading to a full, all-encompassing bouquet. The Barolo Bric dël Fiasc is often the most representative wine in the Scavino portfolio, and never has this been more true than in this classic vintage. Dark fruit, licorice, spice and ferrous earth build a fluid and multifaceted bouquet. The mouthfeel sits firm and tight on the palate today, promising to evolve and soften tomorrow. This is a bottle for your cellar.

The 2016 Barolo Bric del Fiasc is a powerful, muscular wine. Youthfully austere and tannic, the 2016 is going to need a number of years to come around, but it is magnificent, even in the early going. Layers of building tannins enshroud a core of dark Nebbiolo fruit, with hints of dried herbs, iron, leather and sweet tobacco that develop with a bit of coaxing. As always, Bric del Fiasc has a feral intensity to it. The 2016 is an especially fine edition and also a terrific example of the style of this Castiglione Falletto site. (AG)