Barolo Cru Vigna Margheria Riserva 2016 – Franco Boasso’s Powerhouse Nebbiolo

If Barolo had a heavyweight division, this would be the champ. The Margheria Riserva 2016 from Franco Boasso stands tall with concentrated fruit, savory depth, and serious structure—all sourced from a west-facing half-hectare Cru in Serralunga d’Alba. Think dense cherry, espresso grind, a hint of leather and firm-chalk tannins—that's Margheria flexing.

• Winemaker: Franco Boasso is the family man behind the label, guiding his single-vineyard Margheria block planted in the early 2000s. He’s a traditionalist, leaning into Serralunga intensity with minimal frills—just pure terroir, grapes, and patience 

• Winemaking: 2016 in Piedmont was cool and late, but Boasso nailed ripeness with balanced structure. Like all Riserva, this sat a minimum of 5 years aging post-harvest in big casks—building power without sacrificing focus .

📝 Critic Reviews & Tasting Notes

• 96 pts – Wine Review Online (Jul 1, 2020)
  “A very big, concentrated wine for a 2016…marvelous balance and proportionality…packed full of fruit but still very savory and complex…judicious dose of toasty, spicy notes…” 

• 94 pts – CellarTracker (Derek Darth, May 23, 2024)
  “Boasso Barolo…Drank in Conterno Sensory… medium intensity…Clear…great structure” 

• 95 pts – Wine Spectator via KLWines
  “A fresh and elegant red, showing aromas and flavors of cut hay, strawberry, cherry, iron, eucalyptus and tar. Lithe and intense…” 

• Additional praise
  Vivino and Wine Decoded call it “extremely attractive, ripe berries, smoke and spice… juicy and chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Tight and structured.”

This is not for lightweights—if you’re into richly layered, boldly flavored Barolo, Margheria Riserva delivers.

👃 Tasting Profile

• Colour: Deep garnet with youthful depth.

• Nose: Black cherry liqueur, coffee grind, smoked spice, graphite.

• Palate: Full-bodied, with chewy tannins, firm acidity, espresso-toned finish.

• Finish: Long, savory and structural—espresso bitterness softens into elegant powder.

🍽️ Pairing Picks

• Protein: Grilled ribeye, braised short rib, seared venison loin.

• Cheese: Aged Castelmagno, Parmigiano Reggiano, robust blue.

• Other: Porcini pasta, wild mushroom risotto, truffle-laced dishes.

📦 Wine Specs

• Grape: 100% Nebbiolo (Cru Vigna Margheria)

• Region: Barolo DOCG, Serralunga d’Alba, Piedmont, Italy

• Vintage: 2016

• ABV: ~15%

• Aging: Reserved for Riserva with at least 5 years post-harvest in large oak

• Vines: Youngish block (first production 2003), west-exposed, ~0.5 ha 

• Production: Small-batch—few thousand bottles

• Drinking Window: 2022–2032+ with peak complexity mid‑late 2020s

💥 Why It Slays at InBodega

This isn’t your polite afternoon pour—this is baritone Nebbiolo swagger. With steak-level weight, smoky-chocolate depth, and electric tannins, Margheria is the wine you bring when subtlety isn’t on the invite list.

On shelf now at InBodega — free U.S. shipping over $150. Want the next legend lined up? Hit me with the name.