Barolo, Rocche Rivera, 2018

This precipitous, sandy vineyard was ideally placed to withstand the wet early season weather in 2018. The quality of the terroir and the impact Francesco Versio is having on the estate have conspired to produce one of the wines of the vintage. There is excellent grip combined with beautifully perfumed fruit expression; the fine-cut tannins clasping the intense and concentrated wild strawberry fruit. Instantly aromatic and crystalline with a melting texture, yet this has a great deal more depth than first meets the eye. This holds back initially, but gradually unfurls into a focused, harmonious, fresh and fragrant Barolo of staggering beauty and poise. Rocche Rivera is the historic name for a fabulous little-known plot within the Scarrone vineyard that is a continuation of the famous Rocche vineyard of Castiglione. Sitting above and to the right of Roagna’s Pira. The poor soils of sandy limestone with some clay, as well as east facing exposure, make for a wine that favours elegance, freshness and minerality overpower and body. Aged for 30 months in large used oak casks.