Elvio Cogno Barolo Ravera 2016

In what I’m now willing to declare as the best Barolo in the 2016 vintage, (yes, even better than the Sperss from Gaja that I loved), Elvio Cogno’s Grand Cru ‘Ravera’ bottling gives wine lovers endless layers of structure and class, with so much dark fruit to sink your teeth into and lucious notes of creme de cassis and cigar box notes that hit you in waves. This Barolo has the bones to drink wonderfully for a half century, that much is already evident. Just how great it can become? That is a mystery worth standing the test of time.

From the fourth generation wine family that Galloni called “one of the hottest in Piedmont” comes their best wine ever. Drawn exclusively from the ‘Ravera’ section, the best part of the estate vineyard with 70-year old Nebbiolo vines. 99 Points from Wine Enthusiast, and a 97+ more from Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, the highest scores the winery has ever received from both publications. Who would’ve thought that a 97+ score would fire me up, but it did… it’s not high enough!!

Undoubtedly, this wine will be worth $250+ bottle in a few years time, but for now this collectible checks in at $99/bottle, easily worth the price of admission for one of the best Piedmont wines I’ve had to date. This is a treasure of a bottle of wine. If you don’t have any room in the cellar, add one more rack– it’s the right thing to do.