Elvio Cogno Barolo Ravera Bricco Pernice 2016 (1.5L)

97 WA / 97 DE / 97 WE / 97 JS / 97 JD

The 2016 Barolo Ravera Bricco Pernice is a serious wine, and I mean that both in terms of its complex sophistication and its rather austere and brooding personality. The bouquet is redolent of dark fruit, wild plum and redcurrant, but there is plenty more at the back, with iron ore, crushed stone, camphor ash and licorice. Those sharply contoured lines could be from nowhere else but the classic 2016 vintage, and you recognize its many merits right off the bat. It offers ample depth, nuance and power. Only 5,000 bottles exist, unfortunately.—Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate

Cogno’s Valter Fissore has come out with a magnificent set of distinct 2016 Baroli demonstrating the multifaceted Ravera cru. Among the first to be picked, Bricco Pernice is a warm, south-facing parcel sitting at 320 metres. Limestone-rich clay gives an ample, powerful wine that needs years to come into its own. Still brooding and firm, there are no hard edges, and this is already showing great class and detail. Vigorous, chalky tannins wrap around profound fruit depths of salted plum and macerated cherry. The explosive and expressive finish unfolds with liquorice, mint, potpourri and blood orange. To be released early spring 2021.—MM, Decanter

This gorgeous red has enticing aromas of rose, iris, woodland berry, camphor and truffle. Full-bodied and savory, the enveloping palate doles out raspberry compote, licorice, baking spice and tobacco alongside firm, refined tannins and bright acidity. A minty note lingers on the close. --KO, Wine Enthusiast

Aromas of dried roses, asphalt and orange peel follow through to a full body with a solid yet silky tannin texture to the clear, vivid fruit. Goes on for minutes. A subtle and very structured red. Drink after 2024.—James Suckling

Amplified and spiced aromatics lift from the 2016 Barolo Ravera Bricco Pernice, with notes of tar, cinnamon, dried currant, and fresh sage. Flush with mid-palate fruit, it also has driving acidity and gripping structure, noted by plum skin, tea leaf, and burnt orange. Defined with persistence and angular structure, the 2016 is one to hold 3-5 years and drink 2024-2046.—AF, Jeb Dunnuck