Wine: Barolo Brilliance

The 2013 Barolo vintage yielded across- the- board beauties that show precision and intensity, and it’s surely one of the best vintages since 2008, writes James Suckling after tasting more than 300. These are young nebbiolos that will please wine lovers w

Our top 10 picks for the excellent 2013 Barolo vintage to enjoy in pairs or by itself

Poderi Aldo Conterno Barolo Cicala

The aromas of flowers, blackberry and white truffle are superb. Full to medium body and ultra-fine tannins. The finish lasts for minutes. An amazing Cicala. Don’t miss this. Drink in 2022. 99 points

Pio Cesare Barolo Ornato

Extremely complex and showing the terroir of Serralunga with rose stems, wet earth, strawberry and mushroom. Orange peel to boot. Full to medium body, ultra-fine tannins and bright acidity. Fascinating character that takes everything from the aromas. Lightly chewy on the finish. Expanding. Needs time to soften with bottle age. Better in 2021. 98 points

Vietti Barolo Ravera

Fresh and vivid, with strawberry, rose petal and sandalwood. Full body, firm and silky, with a beautiful balance and length. A fabulous young Barolo. Try in 2020. 97 points

Elvio Cogno Barolo Ravera

Wonderful complexity and subtlety here with firmness. Aromas of orange peel, stone, walnut and dark fruit. Medium to full body, plenty of fruit and a racy finish. A beauty. Drink or hold. 97 points

Giacomo Fenocchio Barolo Cannubi

Wow. This is so perfumed and beautiful, with scents of berry, walnut, dried herb and cherry. So subtle. Full body, super-integrated tannins and a long finish. Gorgeous. Best Cannubi this year? Drink or hold. 97 points

Paolo Scavino Barolo Cannubi

Aromas of strawberry, flowers and tea follow through to a full body, a dense centre palate, and a tannic and structured finish. Big and powerful Cannubi. Tiny production. Drink in 2022. 96 points

Parusso Barolo Bussia

This is one of the greatest wines I have ever had from here. So much ripe cherry, raspberry and floral character. Medium body, super-refined tannins, and a long and flavourful finish. So much going on here. Better in 2021. 97 points

Elio Grasso Barolo Gavarini Chiniera

Beautiful aromas of tar, rose and berries follow through to a full body, soft and silky tannins, and a long and flavourful finish. Tight and focused. Fantastic wine. Drink or hold for many years ahead. 96 points

Bruno Giacosa Falletto Barolo Falletto Vigna Le Rocche

This is incredibly powerful and structured, with so much tannin backbone and ripe fruit. Aromas of plums and hazelnuts. Full-bodied and chewy. Fabulous finish. Needs three to four years to come together. Great wine. No Falleto was made in 2013, only Le Rocche. 97 points

Marchesi di Barolo Barolo Sarmassa

Fantastic nose to this wine, with aromas of rose, blackberry, strawberry and orange peel. Full-bodied, tight and focused, with firm and racy tannins. It really shows a laser-guided backbone of acidity and tannin. Serious all around. Drink in 2022. 96 points