Barolo, Bricco Fiasco, 2017

A class act that offers a real step up into “Cru” quality – for its finesse, freshness and extra intensity. The ripe wild berry fruit is expressive and aromatic but remains crispy, whilst a fine-grained sea salt character adds further zest and energy. Perhaps a tad more delicate than the 2016 there is no doubting the impeccable quality of fruit here, which is reinforced by a fortifying but finely-etched tannic structure. One of the most lively and vital 2017s we have tasted. The Bricco Fiasco is a relatively sandy plot at the top of the Fiasco hill in Castiglione Falletto, planted with 70-year-old vines. This sandy soil gives incredibly aromatic and fruity characteristics to the wine. Contrary to the regular Barolo the wine is aged half in oak barriques, but only 8% new wood, and half in large botti. This is designed to further limit the oak influence on the wine - a direction Azelia have been going in for some years now.