Ettore Germano Barolo Serralunga 2016

While Serralunga d’Alba is often synonymous with “patience required,” Sergio Germano has a knack for coaxing a rare, early-access elegance out of these rugged, calcareous soils. The 2016 vintage is a standout—a year where the power of the site meets the precision of a top-tier grower.

This isn’t your grandfather’s “wait thirty years” Barolo, though it certainly has the backbone to get there. It opens with an incredibly high-toned perfume of crushed roses, wild strawberries, and the classic Serralunga calling card of iron and tar. On the palate, it’s remarkably vibrant. You’ll find layers of pomegranate and tart cherry framed by fine, chalky tannins that provide structure without the usual youthful aggression.

Aged in a mix of large, traditional oak and smaller barrels to round out the edges, this is a sophisticated, terroir-driven Nebbiolo that is punching well above its weight class. Whether you’re cellaring it for a decade or decanting it tonight alongside a slow-roasted leg of lamb or mushroom ragù, it’s an essential bottle for any Piedmont enthusiast.