Freddy R. Troya

9.0

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. — 2 days ago

Stuart Pollack

9.7

Beautiful American Pinot Noir, powerful and masculine. Intense cherry flavor, followed by an elegant finish. — 2 years ago

Kamall

9.2

Deep, dark and lovely texture. — 4 years ago

Marc Melser

9.1

We had to the 2019 Vintage on 11/22/25. A very good full bodied wine. The bouquet and flavor profile are darker and more subdued fruit compared to a Napa floor wine. There is some mocha and minerality. This wine would be better in five years. — a month ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.3

A superb aromatic 100% Chardonnay, the V. 2022 Grower Collection is entirely sourced from the Calesa Vineyard by the Petaluma Gap, situated in the coolest parts of Sonoma County where Chard ripens slowly, developing pure, vibrant flavors and ideal acidity. They grow Chards from Clones Robert Young, and Burgundian Dijons.

This particular Chard wakes up all senses with its vibrant notes of lemon meringue, some ripened lychees, and baked guava. On the palate is respectfully complex, baked stony fruits in the mid-range and the lemon and mandarine peels continue to dominate to the back-end of the tongue.

Mouthfeel overall, pleasant, savory on soft spices, creamy thanks to its 100% MLF, and enticing oak touch coming from the 35% new French oak the wine was seating on. Great price point considering the quantity produced (1,200 cases) and where it comes from. Cheers! — 8 months ago

Adam Gäfvert

9.4

This was decanted in a cool wine cellar close to 12 h before we enjoyed it. It is very aromatic and inviting. Layered with dark fruits, pencil lead, five spice, nutmeg, preserves, orange peel, menthol and more. Great posture. Only 13,5 abv. — 2 years ago

Edward Nelson

9.2

Rocco’s takeout and a nice bottle. Not a bad Saturday night. Bonus that the wife is letting me call the ball after dinner. — 2 months ago

President Obama

9.5

Fuck that's good. Thanks Derek. — 7 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2022 vintage. Last tasted 4.17.24 (9.1). This grew up quickly...filled out in all the right places with the smoke, plum flavors/scents tabulating receipts. Not quite as much body as their La Bohème effort but close behind. Newish AVA. 03.19.25. — 9 months ago

Carter White

9.1

Crisp, lots of minerality, tropical hints, a nice twang. — 2 years ago