2016 Barolo Rupestris
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Tasting notes
Otin Fiorin is a lieu-dit in the MGA Gabutti in Serralunga d’Alba. Just mid ruby with orange tinges. A mysterious wine that takes a long time to open up, at first a little peppery and a hint of leather and becoming more and more complex with layers and layers of minerally embryonic fruit. Very stitched together and compact. Fantastic balance and with the tannins perfectly woven into the fruit. Still embryonic and not even near its peak. (WS)
Critic scores
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
The 2016 Barolo Rupestris is unbelievably delicate. A Barolo of haunting beauty, the Rupestris is endowed with sneaky concentration that reveals itself only with time in the glass. Potent tannins and bright acids give the Rupestris fabulous energy. Readers should be prepared to cellar the 2016 for a number of years. It is one of the most reticent young vintages I have ever tasted here. Dried cherry, mint, cedar, dried flowers and sweet pipe tobacco linger on the sinewy finish.
The 2016 Barolo Barolo Rupestris is very elegant, delicate and refined in this vintage. Sweet red cherry, kirsch, mint, dried rose petal and sage are all beautifully lifted. In 2016, the Rupestris is laid back and very pretty, but also shows less overt depth than it often does. Time in the glass brings out the textural breadth that is such a signature of this Barolo. It will be interesting to see if it gains more volume in bottle. There is no rush, as the 2016 won't see the light of day until 2021.
About the producer
Serralunga d’Alba’s Cappellano is one of Barolo’s most legendary producers, producing ultra-traditional styles of Nebbiolo. Made famous by Teobaldo and now in the hands of his son Augusto, the estate is best known for its Barolo Piè Franco, a wine from ungrafted vines in the Gabutti Cru.