Roberto Voerzio Barolo del Comune di La Morra 2016 is a classic red wine produced by Roberto Voerzio, a top modernist winery in Piedmont, Italy. Notably, 2016 was the first vintage of this "village-level" Barolo, and is widely recognized as one of the greatest vintages of the century in recent years for the Barolo region.
Key Highlights of the Wine
- Grape Origin: This village-level wine showcases the unique terroir of La Morra. 50% of the grapes come from Voerzio's own Grand Cru vineyards (such as La Serra and Cerequio), while the other 50% comes from the Boiolo vineyards in the neighboring Brunate and Rocche dell'Annunziata.
- Extremely Low Yield: The winery is renowned for its extreme "Green Harvest," where only a very small number of grapes are harvested from each vine to produce a highly concentrated, top-quality wine.
- Winemaking Process: Spontaneous fermentation is carried out using natural yeasts in stainless steel tanks, followed by aging in French oak barrels (a combination of small and large oak barrels) for approximately 24 to 27 months. Finally, it is bottled unfiltered and unclarified.
Tasting Notes and Style
- Aroma: Exhibits a very deep and firm aroma, with notes of dried rose petals, cedar, redcurrant, plum, and strawberry, accompanied by wild rosemary, thyme, and hints of citrus peel and spice.
- Palmistry: Full-bodied and well-structured, perfectly blending the elegance, finesse, and exceptional purity characteristic of La Morra. The tannins are refined yet powerful, the acidity lively and refreshing, and the overall balance and depth are excellent.
- Aging Potential: Despite its rich fruitiness and juiciness, its powerful tannins and structure give it aging potential of over 20 years.
Rating
- Professional Rating: Renowned wine critic James Suckling awarded this 2016 debut vintage a high score of 95 points.
- Drinking Window: Official and expert recommendations suggest drinking after 2022. It is currently in an excellent drinking window, but further cellaring will reveal more complex layers.
