2016 Borgogno Barolo Cannubi
Region: Piedmont, Italy
Grape: Nebbiolo
Culinary Suggestions: Truffle/mushroom dishes, charcuterie or roasted meats
Vineyard Practice: Organic
About
It's not every day that you come across a winery that's been around since 1761. Borgogno, the oldest continuously operating winery in Barolo, is one of those rare gems. Their history is steeped in tradition, and their wines reflect that.
Back in the 1920s, Cesare Borgogno expanded the winery's production, and it wasn't long before their wines were being shipped abroad. Fast forward to 2008, when the Farinetti family bought the estate; that's when things really took a turn.
Under Andrea Farinetti's leadership, Borgogno initiated organic conversion and went back to using cement vats for fermentation, just like in the old days. All of their wines are made at the estate's underground facility in Barolo village, where they have historic fermentation and ageing rooms.
Today, the winery boasts 39 hectares of land, 31 of which are dedicated to vineyards, including Timorasso, and some of Barolo's most storied vineyards, including Cannubi, Cannubi San Lorenzo, Fossati, and San Pietro delle Viole. The wines are made with long maceration times and minimal intervention, resulting in a traditional style and exceptional ageing potential.
Borgogno Winery's unwavering commitment to quality winemaking and its rich history make it a cherished brand that continues to captivate the hearts and palates of wine enthusiasts around the world. If you're lucky enough to get your hands on a bottle, you'll understand why they've been around for over 250 years.
Tasting Notes
Supple, soft, beautiful, pretty, delicious and very unadorned feeling. Very fine. Fresh. A pinosity or grenache-like feel here. Imagine! Red fruited, alpine herbs, fennel, white pepper, soft spice notes. Moreish, delicious and with great energy here. Wonderful expression that has immediate appeal and long term cellaring written all over it.
96+ points - Mike Bennie, The Wine Front June 2021
Drink: 2023 - 2042+
Very light, raspberry and strawberry, herb, camphor, and almond, almost a light-grenache or alpine Neb quality to this. It’s understated, a wine of delicacy and finesse, sporting ultra-fine dusty tannin, sweetness of fruit with a stony and savoury edge. Bright, succulent and so charming, with a liquorice root aftertaste. It takes a certain level of confidence to make a wine that’s so quiet and nuanced. Old school in the best possible way.
96 points - Gary Walsh, The Wine Front June 2021
Drink: 2023 - 2042+
Extremely perfumed with cedar, light mushroom, toffee and plum, following through to a medium to full body with firm, dusty tannins and a long, compact and linear finish. Builds at the end. Real Cannubi magic. Drink after 2026.
97 points - jamessuckling.com July 2021
The 2016 Barolo Cannubi is the first Borgogno Barolo made from organically farmed vineyards, which represents a pretty significant shift here. Bright and beautifully lifted in the glass, the Cannubi is so expressive today. Succulent red berry fruit, spice, blood orange, rose petal and star anise build as this sensual, open-knit Barolo shows off its allure, which is considerable.
93 points - Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media January 2021
Drink: 2023 - 2031