2016 Serafino Rivella Barbaresco Montestefano: Revisited

Posted by Ian McFadden

"Tasting Teobaldo and Maria Rivella's wines is like stepping back into Piedmont's past." - Antonio Galloni

The wines of Serafino Rivella possess such honesty and precision that it's hard not to be wowed by them. There's something mysterious and special about these wines. They have plenty of finesse and feel devoid of artifice.

After tasting their 2016 Barbaresco Montestefano last fall, I have been hunting down as many bottles as I can get my hands on since then. The wine blew me away.

This has been no easy task. In any given vintage, Serafino Rivella produce 750 cases of Montestefano along with a tiny amount of Dolcetto. For years the wines were only known to a small group of insiders. But that's changed quickly in the past few years. When you combine the small production with a great vintage and a strong following, the situation turns ugly fast.

photo of Teobaldo Rivella in the Montestefano vineyard
photo credit: Clay McLlachlan

Today, I'm happy to offer a modest parcel of Serafino Rivella's 2016 Barbaresco Montestefano for $99.95 on bottles and $94.95 in 4-packs.

The heart and soul of the estate is a top Barbaresco vineyard situated directly adjacent to the family’s home: the Montestefano Cru. Montestefano is famous above all else for how it marries elegance, detail, and intensity. It's a wine that soars with tightly coiled class.

The 2016 is an absolutely brilliant example of the breeding and complexity that Montestefano achieves in Rivella's hands. There's density, precision, silkiness, and incredible nuance. It possesses a radiant clarity, delivering spice, floral notes, herbs and hints of game. For all of its old-fashioned honesty, it comes off as sophisticated and nearly impeccable.

Teobaldo and Maria Rivella follow ultra-traditional methods. Their decidedly old-school philosophy yields savory and understated wines with a whispering complexity.

Serafino Rivella's Montestefano is one of the most compelling examples of Barbaresco. I bought every bottle of the 2016 that I could find. We first offered the 2016 in August and today I'm happy to have another opportunity to offer the modest amount that remains. Please give us your ideal order and we'll try our best.

To order, email offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463.

Ian McFadden
Director, Fine & Rare Wine
Crush Wine & Spirits

Special 4-pack pricing, for a limited time. Use Code: Serafino

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