Barolo, Riserva, Monvigliero, 2013

Gripping but stylish. Racy fresh salt-infused red fruits awaken the palate. Long vivid rose, alpine strawberry and wine-berry notes captivate and thrill, whilst a white pepper and rock-salt kick provide a bit of spice and interest to the long, long finish. A stunner. 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. There is also the fine perfume you’d expect from the river-influenced Verduno commune, where big day/night temperature differences build aromatics in the wines. For Riservas here the winemaking is the same as the other crus, though the wine is kept an additional two years in bottle before release. Long slow fermentation in open oak vats for up to 60 days, followed by ageing in large used Slavonian oak casks