The 9 Best Barolo You Should Drink in 2023

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Barolo
This is our review of the 9 Best Barolo you should drink this year. Enjoy!
Welcome! Have you ever found yourself staring at many Barolo bottles wondering which one you would like best?
 
We spent a lot of hours researching the topic and tested hundreds of wines to come up with the below 9 best-of list for you.
 
We have ranked them by quality, region, and value for money and added an extensive buying guide so that you have all you need to make an informed decision.
 
I come from a nearby area and I know Piemonte very well, let’s say that you are going to have some local insight here.
 
You don’t have to spend several $100s to get an outstanding bottle of wine.
 
Choose one of the below bottles and you’ll find quality wines at a competitive price, for all occasions and pockets.
 
Barolo DOCG is one of the top-quality wines, along with Barbaresco, made entirely from Nebbiolo grapes.
 
It’s produced in the southern part of Piemonte in Italy across several villages and communes all in the province of Cuneo.  
 
It’s known for its intense red fruit aromas, tar, licorice, high acidity, and high tannin content which makes Barolo suitable even for decades of aging.
 
Barolo has a DOCG appellation, that we are going to go through below.
 
Our best value bottle selection for you is Renato Ratti Barolo Marcenasco 2016.
 
If you are after the best overall bottle, our recommendation is Cordero di Montezemolo Barolo Monfalletto 2017.
 
You’ll find the table of content below. Let’s start with the review!
4.4/5

Vivino’s tips: Great value for money. Similar wines usually cost 2 times as much.

Region: Italy, Piemonte

Tasting notes: Raspberry, Cherry, Cocoa, Tobacco, Spice.

Cordero di Montezemolo Barolo Monfalletto is an exceptional wine that embodies the essence of the Barolo region.

Its complex aromas, rich flavors, and elegant structure make it a truly outstanding wine that wine lovers should not miss.

The wine’s deep ruby color and aromatic bouquet of dark fruit, spice, and leather are just a preview of the incredible experience that awaits on the palate.

On the palate, Cordero di Montezemolo Barolo Monfalletto is a masterpiece of balance and elegance.

The wine’s full-bodied texture is complemented by firm tannins and a refreshing acidity, providing a long and intense finish that lingers in the mouth.

The wine is best enjoyed after decanting and can be cellared for several years to allow its full potential to be realized.

This wine is an excellent example of the quality and craftsmanship of Barolo wines.

The Montezemolo family has been producing wines in this region for centuries, and their dedication to tradition and innovation is evident in every bottle.

The Barolo Monfalletto is a true reflection of the family’s passion for winemaking and the unique terroir of the region.

Whether you are a seasoned wine enthusiast or just beginning to explore the world of Italian wines, Cordero di Montezemolo Barolo Monfalletto is a wine that you will not regret trying.

Its complexity, depth, and elegance make it a wine to savor and enjoy on special occasions or to simply indulge in a moment of relaxation.

Experience the magic of Barolo with Cordero di Montezemolo Barolo Monfalletto.

4.3/5

Vivino’s tips: 97 points by Wine Enthusiast

Region: Italy, Piemonte

Tasting notes: Black Cherry, Cherry, Plum, Tobacco, Oak,
Licorice.

Renato Ratti Barolo Marcenasco 2016 is a remarkable wine that showcases the best of Piedmont’s Nebbiolo grape.

Its complex aromas of dark cherry, raspberry, licorice, and spice, along with its full-bodied, velvety texture, make for a truly captivating drinking experience.

The wine’s long finish, with its elegant tannins and hints of oak and earth, leave a lasting impression on the palate.

The Renato Ratti Barolo Marcenasco 2016 is a true masterpiece of winemaking, carefully crafted by skilled hands and using only the finest grapes from the renowned Marcenasco vineyard.

This wine is a must-try for any serious wine connoisseur, as it represents the epitome of Barolo’s exceptional terroir and winemaking tradition.

Whether you’re enjoying it with a special meal or sipping it slowly on its own, the Renato Ratti Barolo Marcenasco 2016 is a wine that will leave a lasting impression on your taste buds and your memories.

Its exceptional quality, depth of flavor, and rich history make it an excellent addition to any wine collection or a perfect gift for someone special.

Don’t miss the chance to experience the magic of this magnificent Barolo.

4.2/5

Vivino’s tips: Great value for money. Similar wines usually cost 2 times as much. | 93+ points by Wine Advocate.

Region: Italy, Piemonte

Tasting notes: Cherry, Strawberry, Plum, Blackberry, Oak, Tobacco, Licorice, Rose.

This is a great bottle of Barolo, consistently rated 90+ points, that offers exceptional value for your money

It has garnet red colour with very intense bouquet of cherry and dried rose.

Warm and dry palate, persistent with intense tannins that pairs well with a large variety of meets, cheese and pasta dish like truffle tagliolini for example.

4.2/5

Vivino’s tips: Good value for money. Similar wines usually cost 58% more. | Featured in Top 25 Italian Barolo wines in the USA right now.

Region: Italy, Piemonte

Tasting notes: Cherry, Raspberry, Plum, Leather, Earthy, Violet.

This is another great bottle of Barolo, acclaimed by the critics, that offers once again a great value for your money.

An intense fragrance of rose, leather, tobacco, and subtle hints of violet and tar.

The taste is broad and encompassing, leaving a compelling sensation of softness in the mouth, with a long and persistent finish.

4.2/5

Vivino’s tips: 90 points by Wine Enthusiast (2018 Vintage)

Region: Italy, Piemonte

Tasting notes: Ripe Cherry, Raspberry, Plum, Oak, Leather, Spice, Rose petals.

Pale ruby color with garnet hues and powerful aromas of rich, ripe cherries with intricate complexities of spice, tea leaves and rose petals.

With strong, rich tannins, crisp acidity and masculine structure, this age worthy Barolo shows incredible finesse with excellent balance, integration and a long, lingering finish.

4.3/5

Vivino’s tips: Featured in Top 25 Italian Barolo wines in the USA right now.

Region: Italy, Piemonte

Tasting notes: Red Fruit, Ripe Plum, Leather, Oak, Tobacco, Violet.

Very rich and delicious with supple red fruits, some ripe plum and floral undertones.

This Barolo is extremely lush on the palate where you’ll taste delicious red fruit, black tea and sassafras root.

4.1/5

Region: Italy, Piemonte

Tasting notes: Rhubarb, Ginger, Cardamom, Cocoa, Aromatic Spices.

Renowned in Piemonte since its introduction in 1891, Cocchi Barolo Chinato is a wine of DOCG Barolo infused with quinine bark, rhubarb, ginger, cardamom, cocoa, and a variety of other aromatic spices.

Round and rich, yet with the deep back palate one expects of Barolo, this wine possesses the definition necessary to be an ideal digestif or pairing with dark chocolate.

Serve as you would a high-quality port or Madeira, or use in lieu of sweet red vermouth in a luxurious Manhattan. It will blow you away!

4.7/5

Vivino’s tips: Among top 1% of all wines in the world

Region: Italy, Piemonte

Tasting notes: Cherry, Strawberry, Roses, Leather, Licorice, Oak, Tobacco.

Monprivato is one of the “crus” of Barolo. We are talking cream of crop here!

It presents garnet red with orange-colored highlights. It is complex, very fruity, elegant, intense and spicy aromas with flowery sensations.

Excellent body with power and stuffing, demanding, masculine, long and full. It truly is a masterpiece!

4.4/5

Vivino’s tips: Featured in Top 25 Italian Barolo wines in the USA right now (2016 Vintage)

Region: Italy, Piemonte

Tasting notes: Cherry, Raspberry, Plum, Roses, Leather, Oak, Anise, Fennel.

Intense red. Nose of mixed aromatic herbs and spices underlining the delicate notes of rose, leading to aromas of anise and wild fennel.

Solid structure and a rich softness as well as a lingering finish.

Buying Guide to Barolo

It’s not just about which Barolo you should buy.

There are other important aspects like how to serve it, food pairings, and much more.

The below buying guide will give you a detailed overview of all these topics.

Barolo Overview

Here you find an overview of where Barolo is most commonly planted.

Grape

Nebbiolo

ABV

13.5%–15%

Main Regions

Italy: Piemonte

Other Regions

-

Grape

Nebbiolo

ABV

13.5%–15%

Main Regions

Italy: Piemonte

Other Regions

-

Barolo Taste Profile

These are some of the most common aromas and flavors of Barolo.

Color

Ruby

Nose

Cherry
Raspberry
Roses
Tar
Licorice

Palate

Red Fruit, Licorice
Dry
High Acidity
High Tannins
Full Body

Color

Ruby

Nose

Cherry
Raspberry
Roses
Tar
Licorice

Palate

Red Fruit, Licorice
Dry
High Acidity
High Tannins
Full Body

Barolo Food Pairing

These are some food pairing suggestions for Barolo.

Appetizer

Porcini Mushroom,
Truffle Risotto/Tajarin,
Vitello Tonnato,
Grilled Radicchio, Butternut Squash

Meat

Battuta di Fassona (Meat Tartare),
Braised Duck,
Roast Turkey,
Ribeye Steak

Fish

-

Cheese

Semi Hard (Parmigiano, Pecorino)
Blue Cheese (Gorgonzola)

Appetizer

Porcini Mushroom,
Truffle Risotto/Tajarin,
Vitello Tonnato,
Grilled Radicchio, Butternut Squash

Meat

Battuta di Fassona (Meat Tartare),
Braised Duck,
Roast Turkey,
Ribeye Steak

Fish

-

Cheese

Semi Hard (Parmigiano, Pecorino)
Blue Cheese (Gorgonzola)

Serve and Store Barolo

Here you find some useful tips on how to serve and store Barolo.

Decant

1 hrs

Glass

Aroma Collector

Serve at

59 - 68 °F
15 - 20 °C

Store for

Up to 10 years
Up to 30+ years finest bottles only

Decant

1 hrs

Glass

Aroma Collector

Serve at

59 - 68 °F
15 - 20 °C

Store for

Up to 10 years
Up to 30+ years finest bottles only

Barolo Styles

You’ll find primarily three Barolo styles: DOCG, Riserva and Barolo Chinato.

The DOCG appellation, see below in FAQ section for more details, requires for Barolo 3 years of ageing of which 18 months in  oak before release.

Barolo Riserva must age for at least 5 years, of which 18 months in  oak before release.

Barolo Chinato is a dessert wine, very aromatic and smooth, that is generally used as digestive.

It’s made with Barolo DOCG and a series of spices amongst which you find cinnamon, coriander, cinchona tree and vanilla.

Barolo wine are very tannic, as such you should wait at least 7 to 10 years after vintage before drink it. 

Our Verdict

Barolo DOCG is one of the top-quality wines, along with Barbaresco, made entirely from Nebbiolo grapes.
 
If you have been through the buying guide, you should have a pretty good idea of how to navigate the Barolo world.
 
At the same time, you have probably realized by now, that there’s a huge selection and various price points.
 
The good news is that you can get very high quality usually at a good price if you know where to look!
 
That’s why proper guidance comes in handy. We hope our guide was helpful in this regard.
 
Our best value bottle selection for you is Renato Ratti Barolo Marcenasco 2016.
 
If you are after the best overall bottle, our recommendation is Cordero di Montezemolo Barolo Monfalletto 2017.
 
As always, make sure to serve your Barolo at the right temperature and with the proper glass.

What to do next?

Read our wine tasting guide to enhance your tasting experience and taste like the pro!

Alternatively, why don’t you check out our guides on Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon vs Merlot, or the other red wines?

FAQ

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Barolo.

What does Barolo mean?

Barolo wine is named after the Falletti family, Marquesses of Barolo, who started the producing Barolo wine at the beginning of the 1800.

What is Barolo history?

The Borolo wine was initially produced at the beginning of the 1800 by the noble Falletti family, Marquesses of Barolo.

In the mid 1800, Giulia Falletti di Barolo perfected the winemaking process and successfully promote the wine across Europe.

Barolo become the favorite wine of the ruling House of Savoy from where the description “the wine of kings, the king of wines” comes from.

From the 60s of the 1900, the wine gained again popularity and in the 80s it got the DOCG.

During the same period, some Barolo producers, led by Paolo Cordero di Montezemolo, Renato Ratti and others, started a more modern production.

This improved the Barolo quality and ability to age and made it more suitable for the international market as well.

Where does Nebbiolo grow best?

Nebbiolo is a delicate grape and needs a careful site selection.
 
It gives its best in calcareous marl soil, dry weather and warm climate. This allows the sugar and fruity flavors to develop and counterbalance the high acidity.
 
The Barolo zone is usually cooler and located on higher elevation compared to the Barbaresco zone.
 
This means that the ripening happens at a later stage which usually coincides with mid-October.

When is the perfect time to drink Barolo?

Barolo is a full body and complex wine, as such it is a great choice for truffle, rich fat dishes and red meats dinner.

Is Barolo sweet?

Barolo is not sweet. It is a dry wine which means it contains less than 15 g/L, or sugar per liter.

Learn more about wine sweetness level here.

What does the acronym DOC and DOCG mean?

DOC stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata. It’s one of the highest classification in Italy.

DOCG stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita. It’s the highest classification in Italy.

Every DOCG wine is tested before bottling by a committee of licensed judges which guarantee the quality of the wine.

To obtain DOC winemakers need to follow rigorous protocols for harvesting, cultivation, and production. 

Other common classifications are DO and IGT.[2]

What’s Barolo's typical price range?

Barolo is rarely an affordable wine but you can find good entry-level bottle around $40.

Great bottles will generally priced around $50-$100 price range.

For those of you who are after the luxury segment be prepared to spend several $100s.

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We try our best to find high quality wines that offer great value for money so that they have a light weight on your wallet as well!🤩

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