1995 Barolo

The dark ruby/garnet-colored 1995 Barolo exhibits a spicy, aromatic nose with scents of earth, dried herbs, leather, and sweet black fruits. In the mouth, it is powerful, with excellent richness, moderate tannin, and a rustic but impressively endowed finish. Importer: Paterno Imports, Lake Bluff, IL; tel. (847) 604-8900 Aug 1999, www.robertparker.com

From a large cask: Red fruits, leather, smoke and animal fur on the nose. Sweet, firm and solidly structured. Finishes with substantial, slightly dry tannins. From a barrique: Dark ruby red. Wild, sappy aromas of crystallized black fruits and game. Sweet on the palate, but lively acids give the fruit excellent clarity and grip. Seems stronger than the first sample. A representative blend: Very good red ruby. Sappy aromas of black raspberry, smoke and game. Sweet, dense and chewy, with a noble rusticity. Finishes with dusty but even tannins and a flavor of chocolate. Excellent potential.