Maretti Barolo 2016

Barolo – the Italian wine of kings. If you have never tried Barolo then prepare yourself as it is not a wine for the faint hearted. First there is the searing acid and then a freight train of rustic tannins. But once you get through that there is the most beautiful and perfumed fruits – Barolo is like pinot noir on steroids, and this is a great place to start.

The Maretti has moderate colour, but don’t let that put you off. It opens with the aromas of a wet cellar – damp earth, old leather and potpourri under which sits sweet dark cherry fruits. It is then dry and full-bodied – classic nebbiolo in style – with dense tannins and tangy acid underpinning freshly laid tar and cold tea flavours, and with some serious concentration. It is also balanced and surprisingly light on its feet suggesting good ageing potential. Brilliant for the price and worth hunting down.