Fabio Alessandria describes Acclivi as the old concept of Barolo Riserva: a selection and blend which best represents the vintage. With varying proportions of the Monvigliero, Rocche dell'Olmo and Neirane crus, it is always made exclusively from Verduno fruit. Initially closed, the 2016 eventually reveals a captivating balsamic personality with winter mint and sage joining Verduno’s telltale spice and wildflowers. Despite compact fruit and tactile, clayey tannins, this remains fluid and tangy with a pomegranate lift. There's plenty of stuffing and power to carry it through a couple of decades. (MM)

Opening to rich darkness and intensity, the 2016 Barolo Acclivi shows vibrant energy. This wine represents a blend of fruit from across various vineyard sites, including old vines in Monvigliero, Neirane and Rocche dell’Olmo. The wine shows dark fruit, smoked bacon, the same pepper spices we got with the Pelaverga and crushed flowers. The wine shows stems and bramble, although they are not green or astringent. A better descriptor would be spice, cinnamon and unripe cherry. (ML) 96+

Burlotto’s 2016 Barolo Acclivi, from vineyards in Verduno, offers a captivating mix of rose petal, cinnamon, lavender and blue/purplish fruit. The aromatics alone are beguiling for their exotic complexity, but everything about the 2016 is so appealing. Although a young wine with plenty of life ahead, the 2016 Acclivi is absolutely exquisite right now. (AG)