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SKU 829813
$47.94/bottle
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The 2016 Barbaresco Bric Balin, Moccagatta’s flagship, is fabulous. Rich and sumptuous in the glass, with tremendous allure, the 2016 has so much to offer. A rush of dark cherry, espresso, licorice, spice and leather builds as this creamy, luscious Barbaresco shows off its immediacy and appeal. There is plenty of tannin, but it is nearly buried by the wine’s luxurious fruit. What a gorgeous wine this is. The 2016 is once again simply compelling. Another year in bottle has only been a help.
The Nebbiolo grape varietal is widely understood to be the fruit responsible for Italy's finest aged wines. However, its popularity and reliability as a grape which gives out outstanding flavors and aromas has led it to be planted in many countries around the world, with much success. These purple grapes are distinguishable by the fact that they take on a milky dust as they begin to reach maturity, leading many to claim that this is the reason for their unusual name, which means 'fog' in Italian. Nebbiolo grapes produce wines which have a wide range of beautiful and fascinating flavors, the most common of which are rich, dark and complex, such as violet, truffle, tobacco and prunes. They are generally aged for many years to balance out their characteristics, as their natural tannin levels tend to be very high.
Country
Italy
There are few countries in the world with a viticultural history as long or as illustrious as that claimed by Italy. Grapes were first being grown and cultivated on Italian soil several thousand years ago by the Greeks and the Pheonicians, who named Italy 'Oenotria' – the land of wines – so impressed were they with the climate and the suitability of the soil for wine production. Of course, it was the rise of the Roman Empire which had the most lasting influence on wine production in Italy, and their influence can still be felt today, as much of the riches of the empire came about through their enthusiasm for producing wines and exporting it to neighbouring countries. Since those times, a vast amount of Italian land has remained primarily for vine cultivation, and thousands of wineries can be found throughout the entire length and breadth of this beautiful country, drenched in Mediterranean sunshine and benefiting from the excellent fertile soils found there. Italy remains very much a 'land of wines', and one could not imagine this country, its landscape and culture, without it.
Region
Piedmont
Situated in the north-western part of Italy, the region of Piedmont is known worldwide and is highly respected for the quality of the wines produced there. Many of the most successful sub-regions in Piedmont produce many of the world's finest red wines, such as those made from the excellent Nebbiolo grape varietal in areas such as Barolo and Barbaresco. However, the historic wineries which typify this region use a relatively wide variety of grapes, including Dolcetto and Barbera for their red wines, which are typically aged and have a delightful velvety character. Piedmont isn't all about beautifully complex red wines, though, as it is also famed for high quality, elegant sparkling wines, notably the Asti wines made with the white Moscato grape. The region benefits from a range of terroirs which are often well expressed in the sparkling wines, and a wonderfully consistent climate ideal for vineyard cultivation.
Appellation
Barbaresco
Barbaresco, a jewel within Italy’s Piedmont region, is an illustrious wine appellation celebrated for its exceptional Nebbiolo wines. Nestled alongside the Tanaro River, its unique terroir, characterized by marl and calcareous soils, imparts a distinct finesse to the grapes. What sets Barbaresco apart is the Nebbiolo grape’s expression—marked by elegant tannins and a captivating balance between power and grace. The region’s temperate climate and significant diurnal temperature variation enhance the grape’s aromatic complexity. Barbaresco wines, with their notes of red berries, roses, and earth, offer a refined alternative to the robust Barolo. Recognized for their approachability in youth yet capable of impressive aging, Barbaresco exemplifies the artistry of Piedmontese winemaking, inviting enthusiasts to savor the rich tapestry of flavors and the inherent elegance of Nebbiolo.
VM96pts
Vinous Media
The 2016 Barbaresco Bric Balin, Moccagatta's flagship, is fabulous. Rich and sumptuous in the glass, with tremendous allure, the 2016 has so much to offer. A rush of dark cherry, espresso, licorice, spice and leather builds as this creamy, luscious Barbaresco shows off its immediacy and appeal. There is plenty of tannin, but it is nearly buried by the wine's luxurious fruit. What a gorgeous wine this is. The 2016 is once again simply compelling. Another year in bottle has only been a help.
WS94pts
Wine Spectator
Well-marked by vanilla, coconut and toasty oak aromas and flavors, this red offers ripe cherry and plum notes and a spine of vibrant acidity. This should really sing once it integrates more fully. Features a fine, mouthwatering finish, with a chalky, minerally aftertaste. Best from 2023 through 2037. 1,100 cases made, 500 cases imported.
JS92pts
James Suckling
A very ripe and self-assertive Barbaresco with peanuts, coffee beans, notes of tar and ash, as well as dried fruit. Hints of menthol. Very chewy and decadent on the palate with brassy tannins and an opulent finish. Blockbuster style, but holds together. The tannins linger on the roof of your mouth. Drink from 2024.
WA91pts
Wine Advocate
This is a private vineyard site registered to Moccagatta. The 2016 Barbaresco Bric Balin shows ripe fruit intensity with dark layers of cherry, dark blackberry and spice. This wine is more dry and subdued in terms of aromas with less of the baby fat and spice that you get in the other wines. The effect is dry and streamlined. This is a great bottle to open soon with pumpkin risotto. Production for this wine is the largest, with 14,000 bottles made.
Winery Notes
• 100% Nebbiolo.
• Calcareous blue marl soils.
• All of the fruit comes from the slopes of the Muncagöta cru, which happens to be the dialect form of “Moccagatta”.
• Maceration on the skins in temperature-controlled steel tanks.
• Aged in French oak barriques (40% new) for 18 months.
