2016 - Barolo Acclivi, Comm. G.B. Burlotto

Burlotto’s 2016 Barolo Acclivi, from vineyards in Verduno, offers a captivating mix of rose petal, cinnamon, lavender and blue/purplish fruit. The aromatics alone are beguiling for their exotic complexity, but everything about the 2016 is so appealing. Although a young wine with plenty of life ahead, the 2016 Acclivi is absolutely exquisite right now.

Opening to rich darkness and intensity, the 2016 Barolo Acclivi shows vibrant energy. This wine represents a blend of fruit from across various vineyard sites, including old vines in Monvigliero, Neirane and Rocche dell’Olmo. The wine shows dark fruit, smoked bacon, the same pepper spices we got with the Pelaverga and crushed flowers. The wine shows stems and bramble, although they are not green or astringent. A better descriptor would be spice, cinnamon and unripe cherry. 7,000 bottles produced.

Verduno. 7,500 bottles produced. A little deeper than the classic Barolo of the same vintage and a little brooding with spicy notes adding great depth to the fruit on the nose. Energetic, profound red-fruit palate with a layer of firm yet finely sculpted, grainy tannins. (WS)