Barolo, Riserva, Monvigliero, 2012

Intensely aromatic. Fine complex deep aromas. Perfumed but darker more violet-scented and spicy than the Barbarescos. Powerful fruit set in a chalky-textured, fine grained tannic framework. Expansive broad finish of earth, undergrowth plum, and plum liqueur. All-enveloping, persistent, generous and warm. Powerful but with finesse to the tannins and good overall balance. One of the great historic Crus of the area. The steep south-facing slope and, unusually for the area, the chalky sandy soils, give powerful wines of great tannic finesse, spiciness and minerality. Aged for three years in large used Slavonian oak casks followed by two years in bottle.