Barolo Vignarionda DOCG 2016 Germano

Don't miss this wine. From a celebrated site in Serralunga d'Alba, the Ettore Germano 2016 Barolo Vignarionda is a relatively new entry. In fact, this release of about 2,700 bottles is the second vintage produced. These results are nothing short of excellent. This wine is focused and sharp, with an exacting quality of fruit that recalls redcurrant and wild plum. Drying mineral notes with iron ore, baked clay and smoky licorice are folded within the wine's silky tight texture.

A compelling red, from the initial scent of rose, strawberry, cherry, hay and tar, to the sweet, ripe palate of red berries, licorice, smoke and mineral. Silky, with a refined structure, this is long and complex, showing terrific harmony and balance. Best from 2024 through 2043.

The 2016 Barolo Vignarionda is dark, sensual and mysterious. Black cherry, herbs, licorice, menthol and lavender infuse the 2016 with quite a bit of depth, yet the wine remains very much medium in body, in the style Sergio Germano favors these days. There's no way of getting around the fact the vines are still young, but progress is being made.