Experts rate 2016 as a 5-star vintage, one of the best in recent years. Accomplicated by a climatic trend that favoured a long harvest, with grapes of perfect quality. The 2016 Barolo wines, in particular, are characterised by excellent balance and structure. A fine example is this Sorì Gepin, produced by the family-run La Spinona winery in the commune of Novello. For five generations, La Spinona has cultivated the land and produced its wines with passion and respect for tradition. Sorì Gepin, in particular, is a Barolo that stands out for its aromatic complexity and the perfect balance between power and finesse. The grapes come from a single vineyard on top of a hill with southern exposure. The harvest takes place between the end of October and the beginning of November, when the Nebbiolo reaches its maximum maturity. The bunches are picked by hand and carefully selected in small baskets. After harvesting, the grapes undergo cold maceration for one day, followed by fermentation for 15-20 days, with automatic punching-down and pumping-over to allow optimal extraction of the noble substances from the skins. The malolactic fermentation, conducted at a controlled temperature, softens the natural acidity of the Nebbiolo, giving roundness and harmony to Sorì Gepin. The wine matures for approximately 18 months in large 25-hectolitre Allier and Slavonian oak casks, with barrels between 5 and 10 years old, to ensure depth without overpowering the elegance of the Nebbiolo. After barrel ageing, Sorì Gepin matures for a further 12 months in the bottle, achieving a perfect balance of freshness, structure and aromatic complexity. In the glass it is ruby red in colour, evolving towards garnet shades with age. The nose offers a rich and layered bouquet: aromas of ripe red fruits mingle with delicate floral notes and complex nuances of spices, leather and tobacco, developed during the long ageing in wood. In the mouth, Sorì Gepin is austere and deep, with robust, well-integrated tannins and extraordinary persistence. The full body and the balance between freshness and tannic intensity make it a harmonious and enveloping wine. Able to age for more than 10-15 years, Sorì Gepin is ideal with full-bodied dishes such as braised meats, roasts, game and mature cheeses. It is also perfect as a meditation wine, to be savoured slowly to grasp every nuance of its long evolutionary path.