2016 Barolo Bric del Fiasc

This is an absolutely fabulous collection of Barolos from the Scavino family. In recent years, the Scavinos have expanded their enviable portfolio of holdings with acquisitions in Monvigliero, Ravera and Prapò, along with other parcels that currently are not bottled separately, but used for the straight Barolo. Two thousand sixteen is the first vintage in which oak vats were introduced for fermentation. The Ravera, in which one of two fermentation vats was oak, provides some clues as to what that might hold for the future. Most of the Barolos are aged in a combination of small and large oak, a choice driven largely by practical considerations of managing volume, but those aged in cask have a degree of transparency that is really exciting, especially given the quality of these vineyards in an exceptional vintage. Scavino fans can also look forward to a Riserva along the lines of the 2011 Barolo Riserva Novantesimo as well as a Riserva from Rocche dell'Annunziata. After a few years of some inconsistency, the 2016s suggest Scavino is back big time. These Barolos are compelling.