Mission Codename Crulicious
“…buy, drink and enjoy…” - JS
Bussia! 2016 vintage!
Prime vineyard + an epic vintage + double 94 point scores! That equals one insane offer. The famed Bussia, for those who know, is one of the top sites where Nebbiolo reaches its highest potential, yielding big, rich Barolo. A $200+ price tag is a totally normal price of entry to experience the best wines from this prestigious Cru. But these are not normal times still. Because we somehow landed a small parcel of this double 94-pointer beauty at a hair-raising HALF OFF!
Maybe you remember Ghisolfi from last year when we brought you the 2015 vintage of this which was the #1 HIGHEST RATED Bussia of that year by the Wine Spectator?! Now we’re back with the even better (we think) 2016 at an UNREAL price again - $35?!
Just how good is the 2016 Barolo vintage? James Suckling explains that “they are reminiscent of the excellent and well-structured 2010s, which some say is one of the best vintages ever… so many have such beautiful early drinkability, yet they have a formidable structure of tannins, fruit and acidity. It’s hard not to drink them now even knowing that they are wonderful wines for the cellar. Both 2010 and 2016 are excellent Barolo vintages, but 2016 is probably slightly better in general… So buy, drink and enjoy this marvelous vintage.”
Intoxicatingly perfumed and expressive straight out of the glass - you know what’s coming from all the bright red cherry, pomegranate molasses, and black tea. More of all that follows on the palate, with a gentle kirsch-y note, sour cherries, wood, star anise, rose petals, and leather. All carried in a superb liveliness and super silky texture. Of course, those typical massive, yet fine-grained tannins build on the finish. Don’t let the price fool you, you should lay this collectible bargain down at least a couple of years to resolve or breathe a day in advance. It has a lonnnnng runway ahead.
Bussia, for those who know, is a most glorious vineyard. Legends such as Conterno, Giacosa, Ceretto, Clerico, Parusso, just to name a few, have all adorned their top labels with this Cru over the decades.
Master of Wine Mary Ewing-Mulligan adds “Such are the riches of the Barolo wine zone that even those of us who visit the area regularly can be delighted by the discovery of a producer with whom we are not already familiar …tasting the Ghisolfi Barolo wines, I found much to like. Attilio Ghisolfi is what I would categorize as a traditional-style Barolo producer… with flavors that are precise and pure.”
Precise and pure indeed.
Thrilling too! One of the best examples from one of the best vintages - at this price?! SUPER limited - do not miss this opportunity!
94 Points – James Suckling
“Lots of ripe berries, walnuts, flowers and spices. Orange peel, too. Full body and round, chewy tannins. The finish is fruity and tannic at the same time. Better after 2023.”
94 Points – The Tasting Panel
“Garnet color and a floral nose. Racy and crisp, juicy and pure, with lively berry fruit and a silky texture; elegant and long.”
Tasting Profile
Tasting Profile
Look | Gorgeous medium garnet with mild bricking on the wide circumference |
---|---|
Smell | Intoxicatingly perfumed and expressive, bright red cherry, pomegranate molasses, and black tea |
Taste | More of all that, with a gentle kirsch-y note, sour cherries, wood, star anise, rose petals, and leather |
Finish | A superb liveliness, super silky texture, those typical massive, yet fine-grained tannins build on the long finale |
Pairing | What else but hearty Piemontese cuisine drenched in eggs, cream, cheese, truffles, and exotic mushrooms |
What the Winery Says
2016 Bussia Barolo
- Winemaker
- Gianmarco Ghisolfi
- Varietal
- 100% Nebbiolo
- Vintage
- 2016
- Appellation
- Barolo DOCG, Piedmont
- Vineyard
- Cru Bussia
- Alcohol
- 15.2%
- Total acidity
- 6.18 g/L
- Residual sugar
- 0.54 g/L
- Vine age
- 5-18 years
- Planting density
- 5,500 vines/ha
- Altitude
- 300-350 meters
- Exposure
- South to south-west
- Soils
- Marl, white tufa
- Maceration
- 10 days on skin
- Aging
- 36 months
- Barrels
- Neutral Slovenian 25-30 Hl casks