1998 Barolo Vecchie Vigne

Saturated dark red. Deep nose hints at almost port-like ripeness in the style of a '97; hints of underbrush and nutskin. Fat, sweet and large-scaled (the label says 14.5%), but seems ripe beyond Barolo and lacking in cut. Hugely tannic wine, but the tannins are sweet. Today I don't find the verve and class this wine showed from barrel two years ago, but this massive wine is most likely in an awkward stage.