2000 Barolo Vigneto Rocche

The 2000 Barolo Rocche dell’Annunziata is the finest of Veglio’s wines from La Morra. The fruit has softened considerably, yet the wine shows lovely overall balance. The Rocche has aged quite well and should continue to offer fine drinking over the next few years. Anticipated maturity: Anticipated maturity: 2011-2016. Mauro Veglio’s 2000s are fairly advanced and need to be drunk over the next few years. These wines belong to an early period in the estate’s history. Among other things, the use of French oak was far more prevalent than it is today.

The 2000 Barolo Vigneto Rocche is less successful, less ripe and more herbaceous in aroma than the Gattera with a drier, tougher palate. The concentration is reasonably good, the texture less convincing. Drink: 2005-2014. Various American importers, including T. Edward Wines, Ltd., New York, NY; tel. (212) 233-1504

Medium red. Complex aromas of redcurrant, dried flowers, mocha, milk chocolate, nuts and cinders. Suave and nicely concentrated, with cherry and berry flavors. Not hugely primary but the least forward of Veglio's 2000 Barolos, with good thrust for the vintage. Gutsy, aromatic wine, finishing with firm but rather suave tannins and building length. Veglio says the crop level here was lower than in his other Barolo vineyards. He also aged this wine in about 80% new barriques, vs. 40% to 50% for his other Barolos. I'd give this two or three more years in bottle.