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James' mid-tier 2016 Piedmonts

Terra Rossa, London N1

Tasted December 12, 2022 by fussyeater with 154 views

Flight 1 - Preamble (2 notes)

White - Sparkling
2017 Ca' del Bosco Franciacorta Vintage Collection Extra Brut Italy, Lombardia, Franciacorta DOCG
88 points
White flowers and muted citrus on the nose. Medium bodied, good mid-palate energy, yet quite sour and feels a little thin. Interesting rather than enjoyable.
White
2019 Pieropan Soave Classico Calvarino Italy, Veneto, Soave Classico
88 points
Slightly darker than straw yellow in colour. Honey suckle and tropical yellow fruits on the nose. Medium bodied, quite viscous, no shortage of acidity, and did not quite sing for me as the citric notes reminded me of Tutti Frutti sweets from when I was a kid. I found it a bit heady and lacking in freshness.

Flight 2 - Barbaresco (3 notes)

Red
2016 De Forville Barbaresco Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco
This wine followed the Fausoni for me and seemed very 1D by comparison. Tannins seemed a little thin, the wine quite dilute, and it was evocative of a Bourgogne Rouge (not quite sure why it is held up so high by other diners). [N.B. my original note was lost, so to be considered a general impression rather than TN]
Red
2016 Silvia Rivella Barbaresco Fausoni Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco
95 points
Garnet. An ethereal nose showing classic tar and roses. Just over medium bodied with substantial yet velvety tannins. There's serious concentration and beautiful red fruit with a lovely balance and iron filings evident on the finish. A very complete wine. Definitely early and pre-window but fun to try now. This was decent when I tasted it on release, and it is just as good as I remember, if not better. Perhaps the best WOTN although I voted it second, perhaps because it seemed to fade a tiny bit. [Edited to move it up to 95 points as upon reflection, it's deserving].
Red
2016 Musso Barbaresco Pora Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco
89 points
Crimson in colour. Old books, leather and red fruit concentrate on the nose. Quite drying tannins and considerable midpalate concentration. Whilst perfectly pleasant to drink now, I cannot see this evolving into something appealing, at least for my palate.
1 person found this helpful Comment

Flight 3 - Barolo (3 notes)

Red
2016 Segni di Langa Barolo Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
94 points
Slightly closed yet lifted nose. Gorgeous tannins somehow interweaving silk and fire, delicious red fruit, so much energy and verve. Really compelling. My WOTN.
Red
2016 La BiĆ²ca Barolo Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
90 points
Warm inviting red fruited nose, light to medium bodied, lovely mouthfeel. Nice but was somewhat unremarkable in the context of a vintage horizontal.
Red
2016 Renato Molino Barolo Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
89 points
I've had this wine before and loved it. Yet this bottle seemed very different. Nose was unremarkable and the mid-palate seemed to lack concentration and I could not find any energy or positive attributes, which is not to say that it tasted bad or off or faulty. Seems a bit too early to talk about bottle variation, however given the artisinal (and possibly rustic(?) production), who knows?

Flight 4 - Barolo crus (3 notes)

Red
2016 Fogliati Barolo Bussia Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
89 points
Nose shows red fruits, sandpapery tannins and seems to lack concentration. Not a patch on their 2018s where GianLuca Colombo was retained.
Red
2016 Vietti Barolo Castiglione Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
91 points
A little muted on the nose. Four square with good concentration and Vietti shaped tannins (no chalk) with a little wood and crunchy delicious red fruit. Well made.
4 people found this helpful Comment
Red
2016 Livia Fontana Barolo Villero Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
91 points
Quite an airy nose. Medium bodied, red fruits, a little spice, good energy and seems very precise. My third favourite WOTN.
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