2016 Produttori del Barbaresco 'Don Fiorino' Barbaresco Riserva DOCG
Producer: Produttori del Barbaresco
Region: Barbaresco, Piedmonte
Country: Italy
Grapes: 100% Nebbiolo
Vintage: 2016
ABV: 14.5%
Vivino: 4.3
Drink By: 2043
Occasional Wine Note: This is a Barbaresco from one of the small region's largest producers. They blend grapes from several vineyards here and in the end, it delivers. This is a quintessential Barbaresco with Nebbiolo's tell-tale "tar and roses" prevalent, along with ripe cherries, a touch of mint, and BIG, BIG tannins. This wine is not for the faint of heart, but if you're looking for a big, top quality Nebbiolo, here it is.
Wine Spectator
Critic Score: 95
Rich, broad and spicy, exhibiting plum, cherry, tar, licorice and eucalyptus aromas and flavors. Offers muscle and grace, with intensity and persistence on the long finish. To be released April 2023. Best from 2024 through 2040.
Vinous
Critic Score: 94
The 2016 Barbaresco Riserva is a multi-vineyard bottling from the Produttori that blends lots from the nine vineyards that are bottled separately (except the Asili and Paje because of low production) along with other holding such as Cotta and Faset that arent' bottled separately. It is a powerful, tannic wine that is going to need a ton of time to come around. Intellectually, the idea of blending fruit from numerous sites is appealing. In reality, i am not sure the blend is better than the best vineyard designates in a great vintage such as 2016, but time will ultimately tell. The Produttori last made a multi-vineyard Riserva in 1990. Needless to say, it will be fascinating to see how this ages.