2011 Elvio Cogno Barolo Ravera

Novello. Lacklustre mid ruby with orange tinges. Ripe on the nose yet with real depth. Tangy palate with a vivid, tannic finish. Great stuff! (WS)

The 2011 Barolo Ravera does a terrific job of portraying the soft and rich side of the vintage with a slightly more accessible style. The wine opens to dark extraction and bright cherry flavors with spice, tobacco, black truffle, pressed rose petal and licorice. It shows a youthful, vibrant personality with a pristine varietal voice. If you are looking for an opulent, caressing Barolo, this wine fits the bill. The Ravera vineyard is planted to 50-year-old vines that hold up very nicely in warm vintages such as 2011. It has the natural structure and heft necessary for longer aging.

The 2011 Barolo Ravera emerges from the oldest vines on the property. Dark cherry, plum, spice, new leather and lavender swirl around the glass in a resonant, generous Barolo that captures the generosity of the year as seen through the lens of Ravera. In this vintage, the Ravera is an especially weightless and simply impeccable in its overall balance. Hints of leather, sweet spices add nuance on the soft yet energetic finish. There is so much to like here.