Wines Barolo Bruno Giacosa - Falletto Vigna Le Rocche Riserva - 2016

Viniou Reviews

Bruno Giacosa’s Barolo Falletto Vigna Le Rocche Riserva 2016 is a benchmark Italian red, highly prized among collectors and connoisseurs. Crafted solely from Nebbiolo grapes harvested in the exceptional Falletto vineyard, this Riserva represents a pinnacle of Barolo winemaking. The 2016 vintage is already gaining reverence for its balance and ageing potential, with a classic combination of elegance and structure. After meticulous hand-harvesting, the wine undergoes traditional fermentation before being matured extensively in large oak casks, preserving Nebbiolo’s purity while giving the wine depth and complexity. The robe is a luminous garnet, and on the nose, it offers an intricate tapestry of wild cherry, rose petal, tar, truffle, and a distinctive mineral undertone. The palate is both powerful and graceful, revealing ripe red fruits, fine-grained tannins, earthy nuances, and a remarkably lingering finish.

Barolo hails from the Langhe hills in Piedmont, northwest Italy, a region famed for its rolling slopes, cool climate, and diverse soils – predominantly calcareous clays and marls. This terroir is crucial to the Nebbiolo grape’s expressive aromatic profile. The combination of altitude, diurnal temperature variation, and lengthy autumns allows for gradual ripening, key to Barolo’s famed complexity and longevity. Piedmont boasts a winemaking heritage stretching back centuries, with Barolo earning its “King of Wines, Wine of Kings” reputation throughout European courts in the 19th century. Bruno Giacosa is one of the appellation’s revered artisans, and his wines are known for their precision, traditional craftsmanship, and profound sense of place.

Barolo Riserva’s regal tannins and multifaceted bouquet demand dishes that match their intensity. Traditional pairings include braised meats such as Piedmontese brasato al Barolo (beef slow-cooked in wine), game, truffle-infused pastas, and mature cheeses like Castelmagno or Parmesan. Wild mushroom risotto or roasted lamb can also showcase the wine’s earthy elegance, while classic British fare like roast venison or duck might be equally rewarding.

For optimal enjoyment, decant the wine for at least two hours to allow its bouquet to unfurl. Serve at 18-19°C, using generous, tulip-shaped glasses. This Barolo has impressive ageing potential; those with patience will be rewarded by even greater complexity over the coming decades.