They say good things come to those who can wait and in the case of Barolo wines, this is especially true.
Tradition is an integral part of the winemaking culture of the northern Italian Piedmont region, home to Barolo. For generations, these wines needed 10 to 20 years of bottle aging to soften enough to be drinkable.
In the 1980’s, a new generation of winemakers began to break with tradition. Many began to question the practices of their parents and grandparents and saw an opportunity to appeal to an international market that wanted softer, more drinkable wines. Suffice it to say, this created a rift in these villages and families and to this day, though the two wine styles live side by side, there is still disagreement. Check out the film “Barolo Boys” for more on that!
What can be agreed upon is that this dramatic period did more for the fame of this region and its wines then anyone could have dreamed. Demand has risen exponentially and so have prices and these former farming communities are now flush with tourists and cash!
Barolo wines tend to be quite dry with higher levels of acidity and tannins These qualities come from the Nebbiolo grape from which it is made and are the reason these wines can age for decades.
2011 Bric del Fiasc from Paolo Scavino is ready to drink now but will also cellar for for another 15 years or more.
The Fiasco vineyard belongs solely to the Scavino family and is unique to the region in that it is a blend of soil types: a mix of limestone and sandstone from the Tortonian and Helevetian eras. This area is located at the foothills of the alps so soil is a big part of what makes these wine unique.
The 2011 is a well-knit wine with supple tannins, tangy acidity and notes of earth and red fruit. It is delicious with the foods of the region: braised beef bolognese would be a great pairing and very traditional.
94 points from Wine Spectator.
Get it while it lasts!