Paolo Scavino's Barolos are well worth savouring, a wine journalist has noted, describing the Italian estate as closer to Aldo Conterno than Angelo Gaja.

The Wine Spectator's editor-at-large Harvey Steiman said Scavino's Carobric 2001 is a blend of three classic sites: Rocche di Castiglione, Cannubi and Bric del Fiasc.

"It costs less than the single-vineyard cuvees but a bit more than the regular Barolo," he commented.

The 2001 vintage went down well with Mr Steiman, displaying "gorgeous plum and blueberry fruit" and a finish that is "plush in texture but stands up straight, like a Barolo should".

The critic paired the Barolo with tagliatelle Bolognese, made from locally-sourced wagyu beef, and awarded the wine 93 points.

A recent San Francisco Examiner article described Scavino Barbera d'Alba 2007 as having a "woodsy quality" combined with a "hint of dried mushrooms", which is brought to life with brambly, black cherry fruit.