2005 Barolo Rocche dell Annunziata Riserva

Good deep red. Explosive nose offers scents of black cherry, currant, plum, herbal tea, menthol, tobacco, mocha and peach pit, with strong floral and spice elements. Big, lush and light on its feet, boasting terrific purity and vinosity. This contains all the major Barolo food groups. Finishes quite backward, with broad, firm tannins and outstanding echoing length. Elisa Scavino describes 2005 as "charming but with an edge to it."

Scavino's 2005 Barolo Riserva Rocche dell'Annunziata is another gem from one of the best-performing vineyards in this vintage. Sweet red cherries, flowers, spices and menthol all come together with stunning definition and purity in this refined, aristocratic Barolo. An eternal finish rounds out this superb Barolo, which is one of my early favorites in 2005. The wine won't be released until 2011 so there is still some time for it to come together, but it is already pretty special.

Scavino’s 2005 Barolo Riserva Rocche dell’Annunziata is another gem from one of the best-performing vineyards in this vintage. Sweet red cherries, flowers, spices and menthol all come together with stunning definition and purity in this refined, aristocratic Barolo. An eternal finish rounds out this superb Barolo, which is one of my early favorites in 2005. The wine won’t be released until 2011 so there is still some time for it to come together, but it is already pretty special. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030. (Not yet released) Released until 2011 so there is still some time for it to come together, but it is already pretty special. My visit with Enrico Scavino and his daughter, Enrica, was one of the highlights of my November trip to Piedmont. In addition to these superb 2005 Barolos, I also sampled all of the 2006s, 2007s and 2008s from barrel and/or tank, which made for an incredible tasting. In recent years Scavino’s wines have taken on additional elements of classicism that I find very appealing. Enrico Scavino has the energy of someone half his age. Scavino has recently concluded the purchase in the Monvigliero vineyard in Verduno which he had previously rented, and will make a new single vineyard Barolo from this site. Further acquisitions are in the works but are not yet finalized. I wish every producer in Piedmont had Scavino’s sheer passion. As for the 2005s, well, they are striking for their aromatics and level of ripeness. Scavino continues to dial back the oak, and the color of these wines is much more typical of Nebbiolo than has been the case in the recent past. The overall level of quality is very close to 2004, although the wines are very different in terms of their personalities. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300, Vin Divino, Chicago, IL; tel. (773) 334-6700, and Estate Wines, Ltd., San Rafael, CA; tel. (415) 492-9411