2015 Barolo Brunate
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Tasting notes
Marcarini's property lies right in the heart of the town of La Mora. From their 4.5-ha (11-acre) patch of this highly prized cru of La Mora. Marcarini are certainly Barolo traditionalists. Maceration time is around four weeks with ageing in botti of 20–40 hl (500–1,060 gallons). Pale ruby. Very pale rim. Lightly tarry nose with some promise of sandy texture. Light and lively. The definition of a transparent wine. Very dry finish. Long. With an impressively meaty streak and very refreshing acidity. (JR)
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Average Score
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
La Morra. Tasted blind. Mid ruby with broad rim. Balsamic and sweetly perfumed nose with lots of minerally iron notes. Fragrant and elegant and with firm, finely chiselled tannins. Beautifully structured and very restrained. Not hugely fruit driven or powerful, but for that you get a beautifully elegant wine. (WS)
The 2015 Barolo Brunate is powerful, dense and tightly wound. That should not be much of an issue, as the 2015 will be released later than normal, a path Marcarini will take gradually over the next few years with the goal of releasing the wine two years later than they had previously. Dark and hulking in the glass, the 2015 is clearly not in the mood to show all of its cards today. Iron, smoke, menthol, game, dried rose petal and soil tones give the Brunate its brooding, inward personality.
Aromas of pralines, tar and ripe fruit follow through to a full body, with lovely density and richness. Very velvety and plush on the finish. Gorgeous already, but shows lovely length and breed. Drink from 2021.