PIEDMONT
BARBARESCO
97 La Ca’ Nova 2016 Montestefano (Barbaresco). Forest floor, red berry, leather and pipe tobacco aromas are front and center. The intense, full-bodied palate offers impressive structure and finesse, delivering succulent Marasca cherry, cinnamon, star anise and a hint of hazelnut alongside assertive but noble tannins and vibrant acidity. It already shows focus and depth, but give it time to fully bloom. Drink 2026–2038. Weygandt-Metzler. Cellar Selection. —K.O.
abv: 14.5% Price: $NA
97 Musso 2016 Pora (Barbaresco). This has a lovely, alluring nose that evokes rose, iris, woodland berry, new leather and cake spice along with a whiff of camphor. It’s focused and delicious, with juicy Marasca cherry, star anise, clove and mocha flavors framed in taut, fine-grained tannins and bright acidity. Drink 2026–2036. Panebianco. Editors’ Choice. —K.O.
abv: 14.5% Price: $40
97 Sottimano 2016 Cottà (Barbaresco). Red berry, violet, forest floor, vanilla and balsamic aromas of menthol and camphor slowly appear on this stunning, radiant red along with whiffs of charcuterie. The vibrant, focused palate is young and taut but already impeccably balanced, evoking juicy red cherry, pomegranate, star anise and cool mint framed in firm acidity and tightly knit but fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity. It’s already fantastic but will hold for even more complexity. Best 2026–2036. Skurnik Wines, Inc. Cellar Selection. —K.O.
abv: 14% Price: $70
Spearmint, black-skinned berry, blue flower and new leather aromas lead the way along with whiffs of menthol. Tight and taut, the elegant, structured palate delivers juicy black cherry, crushed raspberry, wild herbs
