2001 Paolo Scavino Barolo Riserva Rocche dell'Annunziata

The 2001 Barolo Riserva Rocche dell’Annunziata is huge and seamless from start to finish. The wine totally envelops the palate with masses of dark red fruit, roses, spices, and mint, all supported by nearly imperceptible tannins. The volume and shape of the 2001 is simply breathtaking. This is Scavino’s most vibrant 2001. It is also his most polished, refined Barolo. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2031. Enrico Scavino is without question one of Piedmont’s most consistent producers. He just doesn’t miss a beat. Scavino is ably assisted by his daughters Enrica and Elisa, both of whom are increasingly involved in the winery. Scavino’s Baroli are rich, textured and very showy when young, but they have proven to be equally ageworthy. The 2001s spent one year in barrique and a second year in cask, an approach the estate adopted with the 1997 vintage. These are some of the most backward, intense wines of the vintage. Importer: Banville & Jones Wine Merchants, New York, NY; tel. (204) 294-4899

Good deep red. Reticent and slightly reduced but complex nose offers hints of plum, redcurrant, tobacco, dried rose and marzipan. Large-scaled, sweet and deep, with a superb chewy texture and explosively perfumed flavors of berries, dried flowers, menthol and marzipan. Brisk acids contribute to the wine's powerful structure but the tannins seem suppler than those of the 2004. Wonderfully sappy and perfumed but without any easy sweetness. The wine's uncanny chewy depth and lingering perfume suggest that it will enjoy a long and glorious evolution in bottle.

Notwithstanding all the great wines in this flight, with the 2001 the best was saved for last. The 2001 Rocche dell'Annunziata presents a multitude of aromas and flavors including roses, minerals, smoke, tar and sweet red fruit in a stunning display of sensual elegance. Today it comes across as open-knit and incredibly expressive, showing tremendous overall harmony and balance. My impression is that this exquisite, superb Barolo is destined to take a place among the finest wines Scavino has ever produced. It is a great achievement.