Wines Barolo Falletto di Bruno Giacosa - Le Rocche del Falletto Riserva - 2016

Falletto di Bruno Giacosa’s Barolo “Le Rocche del Falletto Riserva” 2016 is a wine of exceptional pedigree, expressing the very best of Nebbiolo from this storied corner of Piedmont. This Riserva comes exclusively from the Rocche del Falletto vineyard, one of the finest crus in Serralunga d’Alba, with vines rooted in calcareous clay soils enriched by traces of sandstone and blue marl. The 2016 vintage in Barolo was widely acclaimed, marked by a long and balanced growing season with cool nights and sunny days, allowing Nebbiolo to reach perfect phenolic ripeness and preserving exceptional freshness and complexity. Bruno Giacosa’s meticulous approach favours traditional vinification: extended macerations and patient ageing in large Slavonian oak casks, resulting in Barolos of profound depth and remarkable longevity.

Piémont, nestled in northern Italy at the foothills of the Alps, is one of Europe’s most revered wine regions. The Barolo zone, encompassing eleven communes south of Alba, boasts rolling hills, south-facing slopes, and soils rich in limestone and clay, factors that, together with the region’s continental climate, provide ideal conditions for the late-ripening Nebbiolo grape. Barolo’s history of elite winemaking dates back to the 19th century, and today it stands firmly among the world’s great reds, with Giacosa widely regarded as a master of the appellation.

This powerful and complex Barolo pairs exquisitely with equally refined and flavourful dishes. Classic local pairings include braised veal cheek with Barolo sauce, tajarin pasta with white truffle, or slow-cooked beef stews such as brasato al Barolo. Mature cow’s milk cheeses and game birds like guinea fowl or pheasant are also excellent companions, as are wild mushroom risottos or porcini-stuffed ravioli.

For optimal enjoyment, decant the wine for at least an hour to allow its exquisite aromatics to unfurl. Serve at a temperature of 18-20°C. While showing beautifully in its youth with ample aeration, this wine promises to evolve gracefully in cellar for decades to come, revealing ever greater layers of nuance and sophistication.