Damilano – Lecinquevigne Barolo – 2016
Barolo DOCG – Piemonte, Italy 🇮🇹
Overview
A classic, elegant Barolo from Damilano, sourced from multiple vineyards across the Barolo commune (“Lecinquevigne” = five vineyards). 100% Nebbiolo, expressing a refined, traditional profile with precision rather than brute force. The 2016 vintage delivers clarity, balance, and aromatic purity, an excellent example of Barolo with both structure and charm.
Aromas & Flavors
Beautifully expressive bouquet of rose petals, dried cherry, tart red berries, orange peel, and subtle spice. The aromatic profile remains lifted and graceful through the glass, maintaining freshness and definition until the last sip.
Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with vibrant acidity and finely knit tannins. Elegant, linear, and well-proportioned. After ~45 minutes of decanting, the wine opens nicely, gaining aromatic depth and textural harmony without losing its Nebbiolo-driven tension.
Food Pairings
Ideal with braised meats, mushroom-based dishes, truffle pasta, veal, or aged hard cheeses. Also compelling with savory, umami-driven plates.
Verdict
A very well-made, classic Barolo that emphasizes elegance and aromatic finesse over power. The 2016 vintage shines here, offering balance, poise, and a clear expression of Nebbiolo’s signature “rose and tart” character.
Did You Know?
Lecinquevigne is Damilano’s interpretation of a multi-vineyard Barolo, designed to showcase the broader Barolo terroir while maintaining consistency and approachability, especially in strong vintages like 2016.
🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
Graceful and expressive rather than imposing. After a short decant, this Barolo truly comes alive, floral, tart, and polished. A refined take on Nebbiolo that rewards patience and attention. — 3 months ago
Cain Five 2017 spring mt district. Napa. Complex wine. Probably need to open it up. Dry. Tastes expensive, but that might just be that it was held in oak. 2 hrs in. Really nice flavor. Not acidic. Lighter tannins. Fell asleep woke up and had a sip. Even better. Drank some the next day. Even better. Very smooth. Not that jammy cab. The Merlot and franc mellows it out. Similar blend as a home brew where you get a bunch of different varietals and put them together. But it seems to work really nice. 46% cab, 26 Merlot, 21 cab franc, 5 Malbec, 2 petit verdot. Really worth what I got it for. Need to open it up at breakfast for dinner. Just don’t try it with lunch or you won’t have any later. 44$. — 5 days ago
Crisp, lots of minerality, tropical hints, a nice twang. — 3 years ago
Drinking really well right now! — 14 days ago
Ruby with elegant red fruit aromas and gentle floral spice, aged for 10 months in French oak. On the palate flavors of cherry and cranberry with notes of tea, herb pepper with wet stone notes. Soft tannins on a long finish ending with fruit, spice and earthy mineral notes. Very Nice! — 3 months ago
Beautiful American Pinot Noir, powerful and masculine. Intense cherry flavor, followed by an elegant finish. — 2 years ago
Oaky vanilla stone fruit delight. HVD — 4 years ago
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego
2006 vintage. Medium/medium-heavy body. Tannins pretty well-integrated at this point. If it is not at the top of its’ particular bell curve, darn near close. 3.20.26. — 14 days ago