Barolo 'Bric del Fiasc'

Score

98

"What a gorgeous showing. It opens with heady aromas of menthol, forest berry, iris and new leather while the enveloping, full-bodied palate delivers raspberry compote, ripe Marasca cherry, licorice and baking spice before a minty finish. Enveloping, fine-grained tannins and fresh acidity provide perfect balance. Thanks to the ripe, juicy fruit, you'd never guess this had an abv of 15%. Drink 2023–2036. "

Score

98

"Drawing its fruit from Castiglione Falletto, the Paolo Scavino 2016 Barolo Bric dël Fiasc shows dimension, depth, precision and power. The wine opens to a dark garnet color with a saturated hue, leading to a full, all-encompassing bouquet. The Barolo Bric dël Fiasc is often the most representative wine in the Scavino portfolio, and never has this been more true than in this classic vintage. Dark fruit, licorice, spice and ferrous earth build a fluid and multifaceted bouquet. The mouthfeel sits firm and tight on the palate today, promising to evolve and soften tomorrow. This is a bottle for your cellar."

Score

96

"The 2016 Barolo Bric del Fiasc is a powerful, muscular wine. Youthfully austere and tannic, the 2016 is going to need a number of years to come around, but it is magnificent, even in the early going. Layers of building tannins enshroud a core of dark Nebbiolo fruit, with hints of dried herbs, iron, leather and sweet tobacco that develop with a bit of coaxing. As always, Bric del Fiasc has a feral intensity to it. The 2016 is an especially fine edition and also a terrific example of the style of this Castiglione Falletto site."

Score

95

"Woodland berry, wild herbs and rose mingle with whiffs of eucalyptus and coffee bean on this focused red. On the linear, full-bodied palate, firm, close-grained tannins accompany dried cherry, licorice and an almost salty mineral note before a tight, mouthdrying finish. Drink 2023–2032."

Score

96

"The redcurrant-compote character really pops out here, before dried cranberries, licorice and spice box all come to the fore. Tannic and very expansive, sweeping through a whole array of red berries via linear acidity and wrapping itself up in a long finish"

Score

95+

"From the Scavino family’s home-turf vineyard, the 2015 Barolo Bric dël Fiasc (with fruit from Castiglione Falletto) delivers structure, firmness and power. This is a classic interpretation of a historic cru, and the wine offers linear, crisp lines. Fruit from this site was fermented separately for the first time to make this wine in 1978. The family had long recognized the consistently superior quality of the fruit from this location, and they saw its special potential. Enrico Scavino told me about the rush of adrenaline and pride that washed over him when he first tasted this wine with his peers Gaja and Conterno during those Golden Years of the past and saw the enthusiasm their eyes. This is the go-to Barolo if you want to taste classic Scavino."

Score

95

"The 2015 Barolo Bric del Fiasc is dark and imposing on the palate, yet not quite as forbidding as it can be. A Barolo of size and heft, the 2015 has a lot to say, but it won't be ready to drink anytime soon. Black cherry, smoke, leather, iron, licorice, menthol and graphite notes infuse the 2015 with layers of nuance to complement its brooding, sepia-toned personality nicely. The 2015 is a beguiling Barolo, but it needs cellaring."

Score

94

"This is a dark-fruited, seductive wine, its black cherry and plum flavors layered with notes of warm spice, dark chocolate and braised fennel. Compact, leathery tannins add to the earthy impression, as do the leafy tobacco accents."