The 2016 vintage was a year for Barolo in which conditions were ideal for the winegrower to produce exceptional wines. Two thousand sixteen is a classic, late-ripening year with no shocking events during the year. A dry first half of the year with temperatures above the 10-year average only in April. The summer months were warmer than average but without any real outliers. The rain in July and August fell at just the right time. But most important of all: the night temperatures started to drop seriously from September onwards, creating the perfect conditions for a late harvest. This started in 2016 some 5 days later than average.
What strikes one most about the 2016s, when tasting them, is their extraordinary balance and harmony. In top vintages such as 2006, 2010, 2013 and 2016, the perception of acidity and tannins are higher because they are prominent. But in 2016, nothing really stands out because everything is so beautifully balanced.
Not only in Barolo did this yield wines of top quality but also in the slightly more northerly Roero region where top wines are also produced from the same Nebbiolo grape.
The Barolo 2016 by Oberto comes from La Morra where we find a slightly softer style of Barolo due to the presence of more sand in the soil. The Barolo Serralunga 2016 is a firmer Barolo due to the harder clay, limestone, sandstone soil in Serralunga. The Bric Valdiana 2016 by Almondo is a Roero DOCG that may safely be placed alongside many Barolo wines.