Barolo, Rocche dell'Annunziata, Riserva, 2016
Silky and seductive, this flows with creamy red berry, kirsch and Victoria plum fruit, topped with a floral hint rose. Seductive and mouth-coating, the rich, salt-flecked fruit glides effortlessly across the palate. The Scavinos have 1.5 hectares in this great Cru, one of the finest vineyards in Barolo. A sandy south facing vineyard planted with old vines, dating back to 1942, situated at 380 metres above sea level. This is released as a Riserva and so is aged for one year in barriques and two years in large oak casks, followed by a year in bottle.
critic reviews
The 2016 Barolo Riserva Rocche dell’Annunziata is done in a much more nervy, taut style than Scavino fans have come to expect over the years. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but there is no question the 2016 represents a pretty significant stylistic shift from the past for this bottling. Whether that is unique to the 2016 or an approach that will carry through in coming vintages remains to be seen. Objectively the 2016 feels a bit clenched and lacking the inner sweetness the Riserva has shown in the past. Crushed flowers, mint, rose petal, sweet red cherry and orange zest lend nuance to this taut, classically austere young Barolo from Scavino.