Paolo Scavino Barolo Riserva 2016 (750ML)

98 KO / 98 JD / 98 WS / 97 VM / 96 JS / 94 WA

Not made since the 2011 vintage to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the winery and before that not since 1964, the Paolo Scavino 2016 Barolo Riserva is gorgeous. Made with a selection of the best grapes from the estate’s historic vineyards, it’s intensely fragrant, boasting multifaceted aromas of forest floor, iris, ripe woodland berry, camphor and brown exotic spice. Combining power and finesse, the delicious palate offers cherry marinated in spirits, raspberry compote, licorice and tobacco set against a backbone of firm, fine-grained tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it balanced and energized. Still primary and youthfully austere, it needs a few more years to unwind and develop. Drink 2028–2046. --Kerin O’Keefe

Dark red/magenta in color, the 2016 Barolo Riserva is remarkable, offering loads of kirsch, polished leather, balsamic, dark chocolate, and crushed violets. The list goes on and on as it opens and begins to show more mineral aromas of graphite and truffle. Medium to full-bodied, it’s an exquisite red, with ripe, polished tannins, a seamless structure, and a long finish. It retains wonderful purity and ripeness and leaves a haunting sensation as it tapers ever so slowly. This stunning wine from the Scavino family is built for the long haul. Drink 2026-2056.-Audrey Frick, JebDunnuck

Though still a bit shy in aroma, this red offers a deep well of ripe cherry, strawberry, raspberry, mint, mineral and tobacco flavors. Intense and vibrant, combining finesse and power, with terrific tension and a long, complex aftertaste. Drink now through 2042. From Italy.—B.S., Wine Spectator

The 2016 Barolo Riserva is a dense, dark, towering wine. A rush of plum, pomegranate, spice, espresso, cloves and licorice saturates the palate. This sumptuous, full-throttle Barolo has a ton to offer. The interplay of textural richness and structure is compelling. This is a fabulous wine with great purity of fruit, depth and intensity. Scavino lovers will be delighted—Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media

A firm and chewy Barolo showing sour cherries, lemon rind, dried flowers and tar on the nose. Some leather and mahogany. It’s full-bodied, firm and tannic, with meaty and zesty components. Powerful. Try after 2027.-James Suckling

In the bottle with the retro-looking label, the Paolo Scavino 2016 Barolo Riserva Paolo Scavino fu Cav. Lorenzo has strong notes of black licorice, Sucretes (or medicinal cherry), oil paints and dried flower that lift first from the bouquet and infuse the palate. You get pomegranate and redcurrant, and that medicinal cherry comes in strong once again at the end. This is another wine that shows enormous density and concentration. It is a frenetic wine for sure, almost restless. The question is whether that medicinal tone will overtake the rest as it continues to age. It closes with a burly tannic grip. This is the second time, after the 2011 vintage, that a Barolo Riserva made from a blend of MGA fruit was produced. The sites used in the blend are San Bernardo, Albarella, Ravera, Fiasco and Bricco Ambrogio. The wine rests in large oak casks for 22 months, and 5,800 bottles were created.-Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate