Buy Now: Barolo 2015

The village of La Morra, Italy, is believed to have produced the first nebbiolo grape, from which Barolo is produced. (Photo by JamesSuckling.com)

Enigmatic, structured and powerful, Barolo wines have long won praise from the JamesSuckling.com tasting team. The thin-skinned grape they come from, nebbiolo, is fickle and picky, and although the wines’ pale garnet hue leaves something to be desired in the color department, these wines are tannic, high in acidity, complex and some of the most age-worthy on the planet.

One of the great modern vintages for Barolo was 2015. While the summer that year was hot and dry, water reserves from winter snow and spring rain reduced hydric stress, and light rain in October refreshed the vines before harvest. This resulted in vibrant, exuberantly fragrant Barolos with red fruit flavors accompanied by powerful yet fine tannins, with great balance and focus. We described 2015 in a special report as the vintage that “delivered wines that fully encapsulate all that is great about nebbiolo.”

The highly regarded cru Cannubi delivered many exceptional wines in 2015, such as those from E Pira Chiara Boschis, Marchesi di Barolo, Damilano and Giacomo Fenocchio. These are much sought-after bottles with prices to match, but check out the Luigi Einaudi Barolo Cannubi 2015, an approachable wine with a juicy core of fresh red berries, accompanied by firm and sturdy tannins, or the Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Barolo Cannubi 2015 for a more savory, meaty yet classically refined expression.

Vineyards in the commune of Castiglione Falletto such as Villero, Rocche di Castiglione and Serra also shone, making complex and beautifully structured wines like the Giacomo Fenocchio Barolo Villero 2015, a linear, tight and highly structured offering that will reward patience.

This is truly a great vintage for Barolo, and there is a high average standard of quality among 2015s across the board. Of course, prices reflect the exclusivity of the appellation. The nine Barolo 2015s listed below are under $100. Like all serious nebbiolos, these will develop further complexity and mellow in the years to come. But some are entering their (very wide) drinking window now, such as the Schiavenza Barolo Cerretta 2015, Giovanni Manzone Barolo Bricat 2015, Luigi Einaudi Barolo Cannubi 2015 and Francesco Rinaldi & Figli Barolo Cannubi 2015. Enjoy.

– Claire Nesbitt, Associate Editor