2009 Barolo Brunate

Good deep red. Very ripe, musky aromas of plum, truffle, leather, menthol and brown spices. Ripe and sweet on entry, then on the dry side in the middle; not a particular vibrant or fruit-driven style. Finishes with good length and serious dusty tannins that avoid coming off as dry.

Smoke, meat, leather, black cherry. Tannins that wait until the end but have a stiff-brushed insistence to the finish. A powerhouse of a Barolo. (RH)

Distinctively masculine and bold, the 2009 Barolo Vigneto Brunate presents savory tones of cured meat, bresaola and dried tobacco leaf. There’s little latitude here in terms of the fruity offerings on display. The finish is dusty and dark and those firmly polished tannins really do kick in with determination and power. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2025. Fabio Oberto and his family have done a fine job of capturing the best of Nebbiolo in a vintage that was arguably more difficult in La Morra than the other townships of Barolo. Various American Importers, including: Vinvino Wine Co., New York, NY; tel. (212) 463-7880; Chambers & Chambers Wine Merchants, San Francisco, CA; tel. (415) 642-5500; Worldwide Cellars, Minneapolis, MN; tel. (612) 378-0316