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.
critic reviews
The 2012 Barolo Riserva Monvigliero is a very pretty wine that shows the immediacy and allure of the vintage off to great effect. Silky, pliant and open-knit, the 2012 will drink well with minimal cellaring. Even so, readers who want to experience the 2012 with its full range of aromatic nuances will have to wait for the better part of a decade or so for it to be at its best. This is a gorgeous wine, especially within the context of the year.