- Last updated on March 17, 2023
Our Best Barolo Selection
- Best Overall: Cordero di Montezemolo Barolo Monfalletto 2017
- Best Value: Renato Ratti Barolo Marcenasco 2016
- Best under $40: Mauro Molino Barolo 2016
- Best under $50: Damilano Barolo Lecinquevigne 2015
- Best under $70: Vietti Barolo Castiglione 2016
- Best under $100: Pio Cesare Barolo 2016
- Best Dessert: Giulio Cocchi Barolo Chinato
- Best Luxury: Mascarello Giuseppe e Figlio Barolo Monprivato 2016
- Best Luxury (runner-up): Gaja Dagromis Barolo 2015
9 Best Barolo Reviewed
Find below the reviews for our wine selection of the 9 Best Barolo so that you have all the info you need to pick what’s best for you.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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
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?
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.
