The 2016 Barbaresco Montersino is laced with the essence of black cherry, plum, lavender, rose petal, cinnamon and menthol. Dark and brooding in the glass, the 2016 is a Barbaresco of gravitas. I would give it a few more years in bottle. There is a lot of character here.

Drawing its fruit from Treiso, the Orlando Abrigo 2016 Barbaresco Montersino is a real beauty. The wine pours from the bottle with a lively dark ruby color, and it delivers sharp and linear aromas of bright fruit, tilled earth and licorice. This classic vintage provides an authentic portrait of the Nebbiolo grape with some of the extra fullness and layering that we can expect of this vintage. I could imagine a happy pairing with any food that involves truffle oil or essence.

Oak, cracked dill and toast aromas mingle with leather, stewed plum and the merest whiff of barnyard. The palate is concentrated, offering baked prune, vanilla and licorice alongside close-grained, drying tannins.