critic reviews
The 1996 Barolo San Rocco has also held up well. Scorched earth, smoke, tar, tobacco, licorice, incense and dark-fleshed fruits all build in the glass. Powerful and direct, the 1996 should continue to drink well for at least another few years. This is a very beautiful, expressive, suave Barolo from Luigi Scavino. The Azelia San Rocco remains one of the most unheralded and overlooked wines in Barolo. In 1996, the San Rocco was aged in French oak barrels, about 40% new.
The 1996 Barolo San Rocco possesses a spicy, cedar box, fruitcake, and cherry liqueur-scented nose, a sweet, full-bodied personality with loads of glycerin, evidence of charred wood, oak, and a rich, multilayered, low acid, structured/delineated finish. It is a big, mouth filling Barolo with considerable complexity. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2020. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300, Vin Divino, Chicago, IL; tel. (773) 334-6700, and Estate Wines, Ltd., San Rafael, CA; tel. (415) 492-9411