2001 Ceretto Barolo Prapo Bricco Rocche

The 2001 Barolo Prapo comes across as a bit burly and rustic. Dark cherries, flowers and spices take shape in the glass, but the rough, angular contours don’t ever soften. Slightly oxidative notes on the finish suggest the wine should be enjoyed over the near-term. I expected the Prapo to be a longer-lived wine. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2014. Ceretto’s 2001s have fared quite a bit better than the 2000s. I remember tasting the 2001s when they were about to be released. At the time the wines were quite sleek and oaky. Since then, the estate has backed off considerably on the new French oak, as I detail in my article on the 2008 Baroli, also in Issue 200. Importer: Wilson Daniels Ltd, St. Helena, CA; tel. (707) 963-9661

Showing plenty of Serralunga character, the 2001 Barolo Prapò is massive and backward, revealing flavors of dark ripe fruit with terrific sustain on the palate, on a strapping, austere frame, finishing with a distinct note of menthol. Aged in barriques of which 30% are new, 30% one-year old, and 40% two-year old.