Other vintages

Underbrush, wild berry, rose and camphor aromas form the enticing nose along with a whiff of forest floor. The youthfully austere, savory palate delivers ripe red cherry, raspberry compote, star anise and botanical herb framed in firm, refined tannins. Bright acidity keeps it balanced. This stunner is definitely one for the cellar. Drink 2026-2041.

Fossati is predominantly in La Morra, though a section does cross into Barolo, with southeastern exposure, and Borgogno's 3.2 hectares lie between 290 and 350 meters elevation. The 2016 Barolo Fossati is fragrant with dried violets, wild strawberry, and licorice. There is ripe fruit with cherry, balsamic, and turned earth and a somewhat open structure. This wine is generous and prime for drinking now or over the next 15 years. Drink 2021-2036.

The 2016 Barolo Fossati is another very pretty wine for drinking now and over the next handful of years. Sweet dried cherry, crushed flowers, cedar and pipe tobacco give the Fossati a beguiling top register. On the palate the 2016 is a bit light, even for this La Morra site. Even so, all the elements are so well balanced. I would prefer to drink it over the next decade.

Pungent, balsamic aromas of juniper, olive, wild fennel and thyme flank the macerated cherry and iron flavors in this sinewy red, whose tannins are assertive, yet settle down with aeration. Finishes long. Best from 2024 through 2040. 250 cases made, 38 cases imported.

With fruit from La Morra, the Borgogno 2016 Barolo Fossati reveals a delicate textural fiber with softly layered aromas of dried blueberry, cassis, bitter almond and grilled rosemary. I often wonder about the wines of the venerated and historic estate of Borgogno; it has all its cards in place in terms of site selection, but then it ultimately falls short in terms of intensity and clarity of fruit. Everything is there, but it's also a bit muddled and blurred. This vintage shows good results, but I feel that more can be achieved and expected here.