What kind of wine is Barolo Riserva DOCG 2016 - Marchesi di Barolo
The Barolo Riserva DOCG 2016 - Marchesi di Barolo is an exceptionally elegant Piedmontese red wine made 100% from Nebbiolo grapes, the king of the Langhe vineyards. This designation, recognized as DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita - Denomination of Controlled and Guaranteed Origin), is a symbol of quality and a strict connection to the territory.
Full-bodied and profound, Marchesi di Barolo’s Barolo Riserva combines power and refinement: a wine that already offers an intense experience today, but which will evolve over time, revealing all the typical nuances of mature Nebbiolo.
Details of the vintage
The 2016 vintage is considered among the best of the last decade for Barolo. The balanced climate, with warm but not scorching summers and a dry autumn, allowed for perfect grape ripening. The Nebbiolo bunches arrived at harvest healthy and rich in aromas, yielding a harmonious wine, characterized by excellent structure and pleasant freshness.
Vinification and aging
The grapes are traditionally vinified: fermentation takes place at a controlled temperature, followed by a maceration of about 10 days on the skins, a process that allows the wine to extract color and tannins.
Aging continues for three years in Slavonian oak barrels, wood particularly suitable for long-aging wines, and concludes with a period in the bottle, where the wine achieves its balance and aromatic complexity.
Tasting notes
Color
Visually, the Barolo Riserva DOCG 2016 - Marchesi di Barolo displays an intense garnet red with slight orange nuances, typical of great Nebbiolo wines that have already begun their evolution in the bottle.
Nose
The bouquet is broad and complex: notes of ripe red fruits, withered violet, sweet spices, and slight balsamic nuances emerge. With aeration in the glass, deeper hints of tobacco, licorice, and undergrowth are perceived, signs of oak aging and the wine's great maturity.
Taste
On the palate, it is full, elegant, and enveloping. The tannins, initially vigorous, are perfectly integrated with the structure, conferring balance and a long finish. The finish is harmonious, with lingering notes of spices and dried fruit.
Which dishes to pair with Barolo Riserva DOCG 2016 - Marchesi di Barolo
This Barolo is a meditation wine but also an ideal companion for important and structured dishes. The most classic pairings enhance its strong character and elegance.
- Braised or stewed red meats
- Game such as wild boar or deer
- Aged cheeses, such as Castelmagno or Parmigiano Reggiano
- Typical Piedmontese dishes, such as risotto al Barolo or braised beef
Served at around 18°C, it best reveals all its aromatic nuances.
Storage and aging: how to store Barolo Riserva DOCG 2016 - Marchesi di Barolo wine
The Barolo Riserva DOCG 2016 - Marchesi di Barolo is a wine of extraordinary longevity, capable of evolving in the bottle for over twenty years. To store it at its best, it is important to follow some simple rules:
- Store it in a cool, dark place, with a constant temperature between 12 and 16°C;
- Maintain humidity around 70% to prevent the cork from drying out;
- Store bottles horizontally to keep the cork always in contact with the wine;
- Avoid vibrations and sudden temperature changes.
If properly stored, this Barolo continues to evolve, offering more complex aromas and an increasingly harmonious structure year after year: a sensory and valuable investment over time.
Marchesi di Barolo
The history of the Marchesi di Barolo winery Marchesi di Barolo is a winery that embodies Piedmont's winemaking tradition, blending past and present with a touch of innovation. Founded in the 19th century, this winery has built its prestige not only on the quality of its wines but also on a legac...
How to open and best serve Barolo Riserva DOCG 2016 - Marchesi di Barolo
1. Bottle Positioning
Before opening the Barolo Riserva DOCG 2016 - Marchesi di Barolo, it is important to handle the bottle with care. If it has been stored horizontally, place it upright at least 24 hours before opening. This allows the natural sediments of the aged wine to settle at the bottom, preventing them from ending up in the glass during service.
2. Ideal Serving Temperature
The optimal temperature to fully enjoy the complex aromas and structure of this wine is between 18°C and 20°C. If the bottle is stored in a cellar at a lower temperature, allow it to acclimatize slowly to room temperature, avoiding sudden changes that could alter the Barolo's bouquet.
3. Opening the Bottle
To correctly open the Barolo Riserva DOCG 2016 - Marchesi di Barolo:
- Remove the capsule with a foil cutter, cutting below the ring.
- Thoroughly clean the neck and cork with a dry cloth.
- Use a lever or screw corkscrew professionally, inserting it gently without fully perforating the cork to avoid fragments falling into the wine.
Once the cork is extracted, check that it does not have any unpleasant odors, a sign of possible storage defects.
4. Inspection and First Tasting
Pour a small amount of wine into a glass and observe its color: a Barolo Riserva 2016 presents garnet tones with orange reflections. Bring the glass to your nose and assess the aroma: you should perceive notes of ripe red fruit, spices, and tertiary hints typical of aging. Taste a sip to ensure the wine is harmonious and free of defects.
5. Decantation and Oxygenation
This wine, having several years of aging, strongly benefits from decantation. Slowly pour the Barolo Riserva DOCG 2016 - Marchesi di Barolo into a carafe or decanter, leaving the sediments in the bottle. Let it rest for 45-60 minutes to promote oxygenation and the full expression of complex aromas and elegant tannins.
If you wish to experiment, you can taste the wine at intervals to appreciate its evolution in the glass during oxygenation.
6. Serving
Use large, tulip-shaped or balloon glasses, ideal for great Piedmontese wines like Barolo. Fill about one-third of the glass to allow for proper aeration. When pouring, keep the bottle tilted and the flow steady, avoiding stirring any sediments.
Pair the Barolo Riserva DOCG 2016 - Marchesi di Barolo with structured dishes such as braised meats, game, or aged cheeses: the wine's aromas and complexity will enhance every bite.
7. Storage After Opening
If not consumed entirely, reseal the bottle with the original cork or an airtight wine stopper. Store it in a cool, dark place, away from direct light. The Barolo Riserva DOCG 2016 - Marchesi di Barolo maintains good aromatic qualities for up to 3 days after opening if stored correctly, preferably in the refrigerator and brought back to serving temperature before consumption.