The new 2016 vintage of our Own Selection Barolo has arrived. It’s our best Barolo yet, says Davy Żyw, our Italy Buyer.

This year, we introduce the finest expression of Barolo that we’ve ever put under our Own Selection label. The 2016 vintage in Piedmont was simply excellent. Many producers made their best-ever wines, and our friend Davide Rosso is no exception.

WHAT IS IT?

Barolo is the pride of Northern Italy and is one of the world’s great wines. These red wines are made entirely from the Nebbiolo grape variety, grown in the hills of the Langhe sub-region in Piedmont.

Our Barolo is made by our friend Davide Rosso, one of the region’s greatest producers. Davide trained at some of Burgundy’s best domaines before returning to his ancestral home and family winery, Giovanni Rosso – named after Davide’s late father.

WHY IS IT DIFFERENT?

This wine is our nod to the tradition of multi-vineyard and multi-village Barolo; Davide has used fruit from three different Barolo villages. The ’16 vintage has yielded vivid, classical wines, with rare levels of structure, fruit depth, acidity, and vineyard expression.

Such long-lived wines as Barolo often need years in the cellar before they can be approached. This one is absolutely a wine for long-term cellaring, but it is also one for immediate enjoyment. My recommendation is to buy as much as you can from this joyful, epic vintage. Open a bottle on choice occasions to taste for yourself how it evolves and gains over the years and decades to come.

WHAT DOES IT TASTE LIKE?

Our Barolo reaches new heights with this magnificent vintage. This is a traditional blend of fruit from three of Barolo’s best communes, each bringing something unique to the wine. Fruit from Castiglione Falletto fills the nose with morello cherry and roses; Barolo itself lends power and depth of fruit; and the ancient white soils of Serralunga d’Alba give it an unmistakeable mineral grip. Articulate and expressive, this is of the highest class and elegance.

WHAT SHOULD I EAT IT WITH?

This is a full-flavoured and complex wine, calling out for some equally strong flavours at the dining table. Try it with a rich wild-boar ragù or your favourite stew.

You can buy our 2016 Own Selection Barolo or browse all of our Own Selection wines on bbr.com.