Size & Type
Other
$164
The Cru from Monforte will provide much more structure than the pretty wines of Verduno.
Standard practice at Wine Decoded is to grab a bottle and try before we load up on anything. Particularly, when we haven’t tried wines from the producer. We do a bit of research and check for continuity at the winery, avoiding potential earthquakes from changes in ownership and vigneron.
With this in mind I had a bottle of 2015 Barolo sent down to try. Well, it took all of 10 seconds of tasting for me to sling an order in for the 2016’s.
The 2015 balanced the flowers and plush tannins of Verduno against the dark structure of Monforte impeccably. In a way that effortlessly added a tick on the side of blending not only throughout a commune, but, through the entire region of Barolo.
This was one of those wines that was devoured with gusto with the parting commenting ‘Is it all gone?’ form both me and Maree the ultimate judge!
Looking forward to trying the Cru’s, if I can save a bottle!
Out of stock
Vittore Alessandria has a stunning set of 2016s on his hands. The wines are positively brilliant. Harvest for the single vineyards started with San Lorenzo, on October 12 and finished with Gramolere on October 19. Yields were pretty much in line with historical averages. As is the custom here, Alessandria gave the 2016s around 28 days on the skins, which is just a touch bit longer than the norm. Alessandria prefers to gently keep the cap moist and does not do submerged cap fermentation. The malolactic fermentation was done in steel, after which the wines were racked into cask, where they spent around 32 months prior to being bottled.
Antonio Galloni
The usual winemaking info is available. The 2 most important elements that shine through for me.
First they use big old wood, no trees to chew through.
Second, the wines look great in the glass. They are beautifully balanced, have wonderful personalities, and, have that freshness with development that is so crucial for any decent drink.
2016 has come at just the right time. We have a number of winemakers with incredible experience and wine wisdom. The vineyards in Barolo are in the best condition they’ve been in with incredible detail going into their care.
Combined we have a situation where vignerons are in the best possible position to make the most of the great fruit yielded by the 2016 harvest!
When you compare the 2015 & 2016 vintages you see the difference between a warmer vintage with a shorter ripening period and a cooler one with the longest ripening period in memory.
Nebbiolo responds beautifully to a cooler longer ripening. Once it reaches sugar level high enough to make a wine around 14-14.5% alcohol the sugar levels stop increasing, it tends to hold its acid and the tannins so important to the insane mouthfeel of Nebbiolo ripen and increase in depth.
Such vintages tend to offer wines with more perfume, energy, and, vitality.
Fratelli Alessandria is based in Verduno, home to its most famous Cru, Monvigliero. The boys have additional holdings in Monforte.
This 3D flyover is Epic covering each of the communes you can see just how varied and extreme the aspect of each vineyard is and how in the space of a few metres just how dramatically the change.
The 2016 Barolo Gramolere is another super-classic Barolo from Fratelli Alessandria. Searing in its intensity, the 2016 is endowed with tremendous energy and pure cut. Black cherry, lavender, mint, anise and crushed rocks infuse the 2016 with striking layers of complexity and nuance. It, too, is likely to require a number of years to be at its best.
Pressed rose, camphor, woodland berry, dark spice and new leather are just some of the aromas you'll find on this fragrant red. Radiant, structured and boasting finesse and depth, the palate delivers raspberry compote, mature morello cherry, cinnamon and menthol framed in taut refined tannins. It's well balanced, with bright acidity. Drink 2024–2036.
Where in the world does the magic happen?
Fratelli Alessandria, Via Beato Valfrè, Verduno, Province of Cuneo, Italy
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