2009 Barolo Bricco Fiasco

The 2009 Barolo Bricco Fiasco is more subtle and bashful in the mouth but shows similar intensity on the nose. The expressive bouquet delivers dark fruit, plum, licorice, cola and tar. This wine sees a small percent of French oak, whereas the base Barolo is aged in botte grande. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2025. Here’s a story that so faithfully represents the ideological shift from father to son, you could play it on continuous loop across the territory of the Langhe. In perfect protocol with local traditions, the last three generations of the Scavino family are Lorenzo (grandfather), Luigi (father) and Lorenzo (son). Lorenzo (grandfather) watched in horror as a young and rambunctious Luigi announced his intention to drop fruit in the vineyard with an eye on producing quality wine. To Lorenzo’s World War II generation, reducing yields was a mental leap of impossible proportions. Fast-forward to today and Lorenzo (son) is the custodian of that patrimony of knowledge and experience accrued over the years. Founded in 1920 (over five generations), Azelia has 16 hectares and recently acquired a half-hectare parcel adjacent to their San Rocco vineyard in Serralunga d’Alba. The average age of their vines is 55 to 60 years old. I was greatly impressed with all the wines in the Azelia presentation and think this is a winery to watch carefully in the coming years. Luigi Scavino purchased the San Rocco vineyard in 1993 (after many sacrifices) because he always loved Serralunga d’Alba Barolo. Various American Importers, including: Michael Skurnik Wines, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300; The Vintner Group, Ashland, VA; tel. (804) 752-3670; Epic Wines, Capitola, CA; tel. (800) 322-3742

Azelia's 2009 Barolo Bricco Fiasco wafts from the glass with dried flowers, crushed raspberries and sweet spices. This is a surprisingly soft, floral vintage for the Bricco Fiasco, with fewer of the signature carnal notes of this site and moderate structure. Soft, silky tannins frame a finish that is unusually feminine and gracious for a vineyard that typically yields powerful, intense Barolos. The 2009 was aged 80% in cask and 20% in French oak barrels.