The most remarkable thing about Enrico Scavino is that, even today, this man ever longs to make better Barolo. Decades at the helm of his family estate, founded in 1921, have already proven him a leader in the qualitative advances that have occurred in the Barolo area. Yet he has never stopped the experimentation that has kept him on the avant-garde of the Langhe region. He continues to vinify his wines parcel by parcel, taking advantage of these small fermentations to make better wines. In fact, in 2007, Enrico designed and fabricated his own fermentation vessel, used exclusively on his Barolo, to improve the finesse of extraction from his Nebbiolo grapes. Today, with his daughters Elisa and Enrica working with him full-time, it would seem possible for this statesman to take a step back. Instead, Enrico’s passion is further bolstered by the presence of the next generation!
Those of us who have been at this a while know there is never enough to go around, and 2017 will be remembered for very high quality but unfortunately low quantity due to early season frost and hail damage.
The 2017 & 2018 will be the last vintages of Cannubi bottled by Scavino. Their parcel was the only parcel not owned by the family and their 50-year lease ended with the 2018 vintage. All that to say… the winery is holding back a significant amount of these two wines for their personal cellars.
As always press tends to come out late on these wines, usually when they are already sold out. Fortune favors the bold, but a few recent reviews solidify the quality and longevity of these wines:
The 2017 Barolo Bric del Fiasc is another gorgeous wine in the line up from the Scavino family. Readers will find a Barolo that is more nuanced and less bombastic than in the past. Bric del Fiasc has plenty of power on its own so this style works so well. Dried rose petal, mint, spice, kirsch and iron all blossom with a bit of coaxing. I can’t wait to see how it ages. 95 + pts Antoni Galloni
The 2017 Barolo Prapò is yet another stellar wine in this range. Dark and brooding in the glass, the Prapò expresses all of the natural weight of this Serralunga cru, but with more overt fruit and a bit less tannic heft than is often the case. That should make the 2017 a real pleasure to drink, with just a handful of years in the cellar. Succulent black cherry, licorice, menthol, gravel and cured meats build into the heady finish. 95 pts Antonio Galloni
The 2017 Barolo Ravera is dazzling. Deep, potent and virile, the 2017 has a lot to say, but it won’t be ready to drink anytime soon. Black cherry, graphite, licorice, smoke, game, lavender and licorice convey a real impression of gravitas that is reinforced by the wine’s overall feel. This powerhouse Barolo is magnificent today in a sort of old-school meets new-school style. 96 pts Antonio Galloni
The 2017 Barolo Cannubi is bright, effusive and punchy. It is also quite nervous at this stage. That won’t be an issue in a few years’ time, but readers should be prepared to be patient. Dark cherry, lavender, mint, cinnamon and star anise add lovely aromatic presence to this classy, mid-weight Barolo. 93 pts Antoni Galloni