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94 WA.
"This is one of my favorite single-vineyard 2014 Barolos from the Scavino family. Fruit for the 2014 Barolo Bric dël Fiasc is sourced from the Fiasco vineyard in Castiglione Falletto. You might guess this by the wine's trademarked fantasy name "Bric dël Fiasc." The family farms a large swath of the Fiasco vineyard, but this wine is made with fruit from a 2.5-hectare section at the center of the cru. It enjoys southeast exposures with both marl and sandy deposits. This complex mix of Tortonian and Helvetian soils makes for a tight, interwoven patchwork. This helps to develop both elegance and power, and you get both in generous supply with this wine. Enrico Scavino realized he had something special during fermentation, and the wine has continued to develop beautifully since then. It boasts finely textured tannins that contribute to the overall structure and firmness. This is an age-worthy Barolo that reveals depth and determination. During my visit with the Scavino family this year, I had the opportunity to see the new underground bottle cellar that was only just finished. Last year, huge cranes and a big hole in the ground marked the spot. This enormous construction project marks a growing trend in both Barolo and Barbaresco. Producers are making space for longer bottle aging. This meets the needs of importers and consumers who want access to older vintages or late releases of top wines. In other news, Enrico Scavino and his daughters Enrica and Elisa have made additional vineyard acquisitions. They bought one more hectare in Prapò that follows 0.8 hectare in Cerretta (both in Serralunga d'Alba). In 2015, they had purchased three hectares of Ravera (in Novello). Although I officially reviewed the 2011 Barolo Riserva Novantesimo last year (I gave it 97 points), the wine is hitting the market now. Only 5,000 bottles were produced and the wine represents a true labor of love. The next vintage of this special Riserva to be produced will be 2016. But if you can't wait, value hunters will be delighted with the excellent 2016 Langhe Nebbiolo hitting the market now." Wine Advocate #237, Jun 2018 |