2006 Barolo

The 2006 Barolo is a jewel of a wine. The straight Barolo typically includes juice from the single-vineyard Baroli and it is therefore often bottled later, which is why I missed it when I tasted the estate’s other wines for Issue 192. No matter. Time has only done the wine good. The 2006 Barolo impresses for its Burgundian personality. Ripe red fruit, menthol, licorice and anise linger on a classically built, deceptively mid-weight frame. It is a huge overachiever, but will be even better in another year or two. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022. Brovia’s 2007 Baroli look to be worthy follow-ups to the stunning 2006s. They have been gorgeous on the multiple times I have tasted them from barrel. All of the Baroli were in cask when I last sampled them in November 2010. In keeping with the personality of the vintage, the 2007s possess a fleshiness that makes them virtually impossible to resist even at this early stage. At the same time, the intensity of color, tannins and overall freshness makes me think the wines will age gracefully. The 2007s show an intense, almost extreme expression of the estate’s single vineyards, and the differences between the wines aren’t quite as marked as they are in more classic vintages such as 2006. Importer: Rosenthal Wine Merchants, Pine Plains, NY; tel. (800) 910-1990

The estate's 2006 Barolo is a jewel of a wine. It is a Burgundian Barolo graced with sublet red fruits, menthol, licorice and anise, all of which come together on a deceptively medium-bodied frame. This shows wonderful intensity in a finessed, understated style that is impossible to resist.

The 2006 Barolo Rocche is an elegant, mid-weight wine laced with red fruits, flowers and the fine, silky tannins that define the Barolos of this important site. The inner perfume carries through to the finessed finish.