2016 Josetta Saffirio Barolo Monforte d'Alba

Barolo is a delicious red wine that comes from the town of the same name in the Northern Italian region of Piedmont. Literally meaning ‘Foot of the Mountain,’ Piedmont (or Piemonte in Italian) sits in the shadow of the snow-capped Alps and is one of Italy’s most beautiful regions.

Barolo must be 100% Nebbiolo, a pernickety grape supposedly named after Piedmont’s famous fog (or ‘nebbia’ in Italian). Nebbiolo requires particular soils and hillside sites above that fog to fully ripen.

Like Pinot Noir, Nebbiolo offers a true reflection of where it’s grown, meaning you could spend a lifetime exploring the different expressions of the wine made in beautiful Barolo.

Barolo must be aged for at least 3 years before release (5 years for Riserva wines), and, thanks to high acidity and firm tannins, can last a long time. Combine a bottle of well-aged Barolo (even over 20 years old) and some of Piedmont’s incredible food (truffle risotto anyone?) for a very special experience.

2016 Josetta Saffirio Barolo Monforte d'Alba

Tasting note

 Is there a more pure Barolo than this? Has the flavor of Barolo, with the finesse and lingering nuance of Barbaresco. Incredibly complex nose of clove, lavender, aniseed, roses and red fruit compote. Prettiness never had such presence. Full, supple and round in the mouth, the flavors and textures woven. Amplitude, that sings louder towards the velvet flecked finish. Beautiful wine, that demanded a rethink of what I expected from Barolo. Measured and refined finesse, and despite its assured originality, is firmly grounded in the traditions of Barolo. I am enthralled and captivated.