The summer vacation is over and we start with the tasting of the new Barolo vintage 2018.
The 2016 Barolo vintage has the finest tannins, but the 2018 vintage is also surprisingly approachable.
The Conterno-Fantino 2018 Barolo Sori Ginestra is very elegant and light-footed althouth it has 15% alcohol. The wine has red currant, herbs, a full-body, polished tannin, lots of glycerin and perfect balance. 18.3/20 points.
The E. Pira & Figli 2018 Barolo Via Nuova has a bit strange aroma of trumpet flowers, liquorice, cassis and white pepper. The wine has full-body, a medium long finish, balance and a lot of tannin. 17.5/20 points.
The Domenico Clerico 2018 Barolo Ciabot Mentin has red currant, herbs, undergrowth, a full-body, tannin, balance, structure and density. It is a typical Ciabot Mentin and needs time to get its full potential. 18.5/20 points.
The Baudana 2018 Barolo Cerretta is traditional with white pepper, red currant, a full-body, tannin, structure, density, a long finish, elegance and power. 18.8/20 points.
The E. Pira & Figli 2018 Barolo Cannubi needs a lot of air and with aeration it gets better and better. The wine has herbs, red currant, a full-body, structure, tannin, complexity and a long finish. 18.5/20 points.
Our favorite is this wine: The Conterno-Fantino 2018 Barolo Castelletto Vigna Pressenda has an opulent nose with blossoms, herbs and undergrowth, a full-body, potential with lots of tannin, structure, a long finish, perfect balance, complexity and a light sweetness. It has everything a Barolo needs and has potential for a long life. 19.3/20 points.
For a comparison with 2016, we tasted these wines as a reference:
The Roberto Voerzio 2016 Barolo Rocche dell‘ Annunziata is amazing. The wine has a light sweetness and steams out of the glass expressively with blossoms, vanilla, dark fruit and herbs. It has a full-body, perfect tannin, structure, perfect balance and a long finish. This is nearly perfection. 19.5/20 points.
Why do you need a Monfortino when there is Francia, Airone and Cerretta by Giacomo Conterno: The Giacomo Conterno 2016 Barolo Cerretta is a perfect traditional Barolo with undergrowth, herbs, a full-body, a lot of glycerin, perfect structure, perfect tannin, a long finish, a light sweetness, high complexity and elegance. The wine needs a long aeration. 19.8/20 points.
