The Jancis Robinson Story | Mission Blind Tasting | Wine writing competition

Barolo 2016 – the tasting notes

Snow in Verduno, Barolo on 15 November 2019

Walter spent an intensive tasting week in the snowy Langhe recently and took this picture of the alps in Verduno on 15 November.

For Walter's thoughts on the background to this stupendously distinctive vintage, see Barolo 2016 – the path to stylistic change, also published today. Alistair Cooper also provided a brief preview here.

The 110 wines described below are grouped by commune, with subgroups for individual crus within each commune. Tasting notes on 73 Barolo 2016s are followed by 37 new releases and older vintages. 

2016 Barolo

Intercommunal blends

Intercommunal blend with grapes coming from Gramolere, Pisapola...

Grapes come from Ginestra, Mosconi, and a tiny quantity from...

Bottled in August 2019.
Lustrous mid ruby. Great purity, lift...

Grapes come from their Serralunga d’Alba holdings, as well as...

From the Bricco Chiesa and Capalot vineyards, both in La Morra...

Lustrous mid ruby. Sleek oak and red-fruit nose. Super...

Grapes come from Monrobiolo di Bussia (80%), the balance from...

Lustrous mid ruby. Minerally nose with notes of iron and...

Lustrous mid ruby. Pretty nose of concentrated, peppery cherry...

Roddi

Bricco Ambrogio

Roddi. NICBA stands for ‘name in code Bricco Ambrogio’, the...

Roddi. Total skin maceration time of two weeks. Aged for 20...

Grinzane Cavour

Castello

Grinzane Cavour. Lustrous ruby. Inviting nose of sweet, red...

Verduno

...
Become a member or log in to continue reading
Member
$135
/year
Save over 15% annually
Ideal for wine enthusiasts
  • Access 296,866 wine reviews & 16,131 articles
  • Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
  • Access askJancis, our AI wine assistant
Inner Circle
$249
/year
 
Ideal for collectors

Everything in “Member”, plus:

  • Early access to the latest wine reviews, 48 hours in advance
  • Early access to the latest articles, 48 hours in advance
Professional
$299
/year
For individual wine professionals
  • Access 296,866 wine reviews & 16,131 articles
  • Access The Oxford Companion to Wine & The World Atlas of Wine
  • Access askJancis, our AI wine assistant
  • Early access to the latest wine reviews & articles, 48 hours in advance
  • Commercial use of up to 25 wine reviews & scores for marketing
Business
$399
/year
For companies in the wine trade

Everything in “Professional”, plus:

  • Commercial use of up to 250 wine reviews & scores for marketing
  • Access to submit wines for review
  • Offer memberships to your employees and manage them from a single place
  • API access available for an additional fee
Pay with
Visa logo Mastercard logo American Express logo Logo for more payment options
Join our newsletter

Get the latest from Jancis and her team of leading wine experts.

By subscribing you agree with our Privacy Policy and provide consent to receive updates from our company.

More Tasting articles

Harvest at Robert Weil by Peter Quirin.jpg
Tasting articles A year of extraordinary balance, bright acidity and some of the best Gutsweine in recent memory. Plus a whole lot...
Monty on the beach at Betty’s Bay, near Hemel-en Aarde
Tasting articles Coolness and light in bottles from some of South Africa’s best producers. Above, Monty enjoys the cool surf in Betty’s...
Chris Keets (left) and Banele Vanele (right)
Tasting articles Proof that South Africa remains one of the most rewarding countries for wine. Above, Chris Keets (left) of Weather Report...
Lasseter Trinity Ridge Vineyard - Michael Housewright photography
Tasting articles The combination of historic vineyards, high elevation, volcanic soils and organic viticulture make this little-known AVA stand out. Above, Lasseter...

More from JancisRobinson.com

Ch Langoa Barton chai in May 2025
Free for all How is the work of the ISVV transmitted to the châteaux? And how has it affected the wines? Plus, highlights...
Wanton at XO Kitchen
Bite-sized Umami junkies, head east for jaw-achingly tasty fusion and a Honshu sour. Having garnered itself quite a reputation for clever...
chickens in the HJW vineyard at Hermann J Wiemer, Seneca Lake
Wines of the week The dry white wine that established New York’s Finger Lakes as the Riesling mecca of the US. And it’s only...
cheddars, apples and fruity red wine
Inside information Real cheddar for real wine. By some small miracle I manage to locate the one with four functioning wheels. My...
Emptied plates and glasses after a meal by Jason Lowe
Free for all The joy of a roadside diner, by Charlie Geoghegan. Photo by Jason Lowe. There’s this old building by the side...
Opus One winery
Free for all The first transatlantic joint venture Opus One involved icons of 20th century wine. A version of this article is published...
Constantino Ramos
Wines of the week A Vinho Verde white made with the exactitude of a former chemist and the soul of a vine whisperer. From...
Tony Bish in Tronçais forest
Don't quote me Forest terroir is as real, and as consequential, as vineyard terroir. Above, Tony Bish in the Tronçais forest in central...
Wine inspiration delivered directly to your inbox, weekly
Our weekly newsletter is free for all
By subscribing you're confirming that you agree with our Terms and Conditions.