2016 Luigi Oddero Barolo Rocche Rivera
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Tasting notes
Castiglione Falletto. Mid ruby with orange tinges. Fascinating deep spicy savoury fruit nose with earthy and peppery undertones and notes of mostarda di frutta . Supple earthy savoury fruit palate with a layer of sandy tannins. Fills out the palate beautifully without being heavy. (WS)
Critic scores
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Castiglione Falletto. Grapes from the Scarrone cru. Tasted blind. Mid ruby. Savoury nose with still-subdued fruit. Balsamic lift. Subdued on the palate too, with brooding fruit and gripping tannins, the fine acidity coming out only on the finish. A little unpolished, if genuine. (WS)
Rocche Rivera is a 2.5-hectare parcel inside the Scarrone cru located in Castiglione Falletto with sandy calcareous soils. The celebrated Rocche di Castiglione is located adjacent, and the Pira cru is directly above. Rocche Rivera enjoys an ideal position in one of the best-performing areas of the appellation in this classic vintage. The Figli Luigi Oddero 2016 Barolo Rocche Rivera is stunning, with a level of harmony and purity that makes an immediate and lasting impact. The wine shows pristine fruit aromas backed by wild rose, tar, ash and blood orange. Those aromas hang in perfect balance. The wine is firmly compact and solid in terms of mouthfeel, requiring a few extra years of cellar time to fully unwind. This beautiful 6,000-bottle release will hit the market in October 2020.
The 2016 Barolo Rocche Rivera offers up plenty of up-front appeal, but is ultimately penalized by huge, searing tannins that clamp down on the mid-palate and finish. Dried flowers, tobacco and wild, feral notes add to a rough around the edges feel.