2016 Paolo Scavino Rocche dell’Annuniziata Riserva Barolo DOCG
Producer: Paolo Scavino
Region: Barolo, Langhe, Piedmont
Country: Italy
Grapes: 100% Nebbiolo
Vintage: 2016
ABV: 14.50%
Vivino: 4.5
Drink By: 2050
Occasional Wine Note: There is a reason that this is a 100 point wine and the top ranking Barolo in James Suckling’s top 100. It’s outstanding and a brilliant representation of why they call barolos the King of Italian Wines. We visited the Scavino vineyard for a tour and tasting this past summer and were blown away by the entire lineup. If you look up “Best Value” nebbiolo wines on wine-searcher.com, you will see Paolo Scavino all over it. Barolos are elegant wines to be sure, but they are not for the faint of heart. “Tar and roses” is a common descriptor for these wines.
These are made with 100% Nebbiolo grapes, which are very high tannin, high acid, and powerful. They have some of the highest aging requirements in Italy - for Barolo Riserva like this one, 62 months of aging, of which at least 18 months must be in oak, is the minimum requirement. If you visit the Barolo area, you will note just how much meat, much of it veal, is part of the menu everywhere. You will also find the pasta dishes to be richer in the Piedmont region than those in the southern half of the country. Barolo (or its sister Barbaresco) is the perfect match. Lay this one down for another 25+ years or decant and enjoy for that special occasion.
James Suckling
Critic Score: 100
Wow! There’s so much going on here. The nose presents an intense mix of dried cherry and red-berry fruit and rose petals, together with mild spice, Mediterranean herbs, tobacco dried apricot and dried and fresh nuts. Much more if you dig in. Full-bodied, super-relaxed palate that is the perfect display case for all the complex fruit character.
The tannins are dense but seamless, never displaying any angular edge. Super-long and super concentrated, this is hard to fault. Yet, despite all the seeming extravagance, it remains a composed red with a long life ahead of it. Drink at your leisure.
Wine Advocate
Critic Score: 98
This is a stunner. The Paolo Scavino 2016 Barolo Riserva Rocche dell'Annunziata is a beautifully balanced and memorable wine that will continue to delight for years to come. It is compact and silky in texture with abundant and very lively aromas of dark fruit and wild cherry. The Rocche dell'Annunziata vineyard is located in La Morra. This is a gorgeous wine that awards lots of emotion.