2016 Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe

A certified organic wine, the Cavallotto 2016 Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe is born in vineyards on a beautiful ridge in Castiglione Falletto with wide views of both the sunrise and the sunset. From this magical site at the heart of the Barolo appellation comes a wine that represents the very best of vintage and territory. Dark fruit, dried cherry, wild plum, rose and iron ore meet a perfect intersection that gives this Barolo a beautiful sense of balance and inner energy. Fruit comes from a 2.4-hectare plot with southwest-facing vines that are 60 years old. After destemming, the grapes see 28 days of skin contact (semi-submerged caps) in steel tanks. Secondary fermentation occurs in cement in the spring following the harvest. The wine is aged in Slavonian oak for 60 months. Production is 8,794 bottles and other larger formats.

The 2016 Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe is a powerhouse. Huge swaths of tannin wrap around a core of dark fruit in a brooding, almost somber Barolo that demands patience. Hints of licorice, spice, leather, menthol, incense and black cherry fruit begin to emerge with time in the glass. I won’t be surprised if the 2016 turns out even better than this note suggests. There is a ton of potential here. I find the combination of power and translucent energy both evocative and quite promising.

Casiglione Falletto. Cask sample. Deep ruby with orange tinges. Deep and brooding dark nose loaded with stony minerally notes. Hints of dried fruits mingle with cherry. Lush, juicy and long and sensationally balanced. Gorgeous fine gravelly tannins supporting the fruit. Long and with a full spread on the finish. Amazing depth of flavour. (WS)