2016 Poderi Marcarini Del Comune di La Morra Barolo 750 ml

The 2016 Marcarini Barolo del Comune di La Morra is one of the most anticipated wines to cross our tasting table this year. It’s a first-ever bottling from a legendary producer whose cru Barolos have earned legions of fans—among Old World collectors and Wine Access members, and most significantly, in our Master Sommelier Sur Lucero.  

Sur practically holds a PhD. in Piedmont, so even as we sat enraptured by the first sip of the gorgeous and expansive 2016, we kept an eye on him as he finished his first taste. He let the Marcarini linger extra long on his palate, and after contemplating the garnet-tinted glass in his hand, finally spoke. 

“Now that...” he began, searching for the perfect words,”... is an instant classic.” 

This 95-point Barolo is the wine we’ve always wanted from Marcarini, which has long been known as one of the first producers to bottle and market single-site Barolo, from their two world-class terroirs of Brunate and La Serra. The 2016 Barolo del Comune di La Morra brings those terroirs together under the Marcarini label for the first time—and it is already shining bright, four years after harvest. 

Simply put, Marcarini is synonymous with the village of La Morra. Their winery is located at the original entrance to the village, and their cellars are directly underneath. Yet despite their stature, they still stand as an incredible bargain: Antonio Galloni said, “Marcarini remains one of the best values in traditionally made, cellar-worthy Barolo.”

Some of the best values can often be found at Barolo’s village level, which is known for providing a snapshot of the entire region. Since Marcarini only makes wines from their own estate vineyards, their new wine is technically a village Barolo, but it’s actually a marriage of two of the best vineyards in Barolo: Brunate and La Serra.

These contiguous south-facing sites bring different characteristics to the table. Brunate, located lower on the slope, boasts brooding and dark fruit showing slightly warmer tones. Higher up, La Serra is exposed to windier conditions and yields Nebbiolo with a more aromatic, red-fruit-dominant profile. Both vineyards feature vines aged 15 to nearly 40 years, and after being hand-harvested, the grapes are vinified in stainless steel and concrete. The wine is aged for two years in Slavonian oak then six more months in bottle—just like the prestigious cru bottlings from the same sites. 

The result is a stunning expression of Barolo showing aromas of dark dried cherries and raspberries that announce a palate of raspberry, cranberry, dried orange peel, and licorice. The wine expands and gains warmth and energy the longer the bottle is open, offering a ticket to the classic La Morra profile of expansive fruit, fine tea-like tannins, and beautiful volume. It’s drinking beautifully right now, and will continue to do so for the next decade. 

This newest bottling does nothing if not bolster Marcarini’s reputation as a first-class producer that still packs a ton of value into the bottle. We couldn’t wait to try this wine, and it exceeded our expectations. Now it’s your turn to experience this new classic.