What are wineries saying about the 2016 Barolo and 2015 Brunello vintages?

Davide Mozzone in the Cellar

Davide Mozzone of Bongiovanni

“The 2016 Barolo is a generous vintage. The 2016 vintage was harvested later than the 2015 or 2014 vintages. The summer was longer but did not have the peak hot days that the 2015 vintage had, because of the regular ripening season the yeast in the 2016 vintage was well maintained so that the fermentation was completed without hindrance. This natural yeast was able to support the higher alcohol content of the 2016 vintage creating excellent balance. 2016 is a noteworthy vintage that will be appreciated as it ages. I would say it has an aging potential of 15 to 20 years when it will hit its peak.”

Giuseppe Marengo of Ca’ Rome’

“It was an excellent vintage with a very long growth cycle, so also a late harvest. We harvested mid-October. The wines are balanced with excellent acidity and a good ratio between anthocyanins and polyphenols. This vintage will be remembered for its quality. ”

Fabio Fantino after bottling

Fabio Fantino of Conterno Fantino

“We are ready to release the 2016 Barolos in spring 2020. We are looking forward to them because the vintage was classic. Nebbiolo showed all its character, its power along with nice tannins, elegance and finesse. Our wines have a lot of energy and nice acidity. It will be a nice vintage to cellar. ”

Matteo Sardagna Einaudi in the cellar

Matteo Sardegna Einaudi of Einaudi

“2016 Barolo is a beautiful, classic vintage, compared to the 2015, which was a warmer vintage, beautiful but warmer. The 2016 vintage was rainier in the spring with a warm summer and a perfect September to October. The quality and the health of the grapes was beautiful and the berries had thick skins. This means we had less pumpover and a longer maturation which produces wines with excellent aromatics. This is an elegant vintage with a beautiful, deep and strong finish”

Manuel and Elisa Marchetti

Manuel Marchetti of Marcarini

“I remember the 2016 vintage was amazing, beautiful. 2016 shows power, because of the sun in summer and because we had a longer season so the growth cycle could fully complete itself. The grapes were perfect – tannins, polyphenols, color, everything was in excellent condition. It is a vintage that everybody wants to have. 2015 was very similar except the weather was a little warmer, so you have more black berries instead of red berries. 2016 is a memorable vintage in my opinion.”

Andrea Costanti in the winery

Andrea Costanti of Costanti

“I remember five years ago at the end of the 2015 harvest and I remember is saying ‘2010 is a great vintage, one of the best ever, but I think 2015 will be better.’ And I was right.

September is always the most important month in term of quality of the vintage and the mircoclimate of September 2015 was excellent for acidity in the grapes. The balance of acidity and alcohol is the most important point for Sangiovese.”

Daniele Zeffirini in the Cellar

Daniele Zeffirini of Fuligni

“The 2015 Brunello is rich but very fresh. It has wonderful tannins and structure, but also great acidity. It’s a classic vintage that is built for aging. From our side of side of the hill, the northeast side, we really benefitted from a warm vintage and our altitude, between 350-400 meters, provided large swings in the day to nighttime temperatures which creates that finesse in our Brunello.”