2 | Wine | Barolo, $20 to $50

"It bursts from the glass with tons of richness and concentration for the year. Dark red fruit, flowers and licorice wrap around the insistent, powerful finish. The fleshy, radiant finish is unusual for the year. This is one of the best Baroli readers will find for the money. I loved it."

"The 2008 Barolo is a pretty, understated wine laced with dark red fruit, flowers, spices, mint and licorice. The tannins could use another year to soften, but this mid-weight, vinous wine is well suited for drinking over the next few years. If opened today, the wine needs at least 30 minutes of air for the aromatics to find their focus. This is a terrific entry-level Barolo."

"The 2008 Barolo Castiglione is striking. Sweet red berries, freshly cut flowers, spices and mint are some of the many nuances that flow from this impeccable, mid-weight Barolo. The 2008 Castiglione impresses for its exceptional balance, polished finish and sheer beauty. This is a feminine Castiglione graced with exquisite class. With time in the glass, the wine fleshes out beautifully. Once again, the Castiglione delivers incredible value. In 2008 Vietti did not make their Villero Riserva, instead that juice went into the Castiglione."

"The 2008 Barolo Gattera shows lovely depth in its dark red fruit, flowers and spices. The Gattera boasts gorgeous transparency in its fruit, fabulous length and great overall balance. Today it is an infant, but the future appears to be very bright. This is the only Revello Barolo aged in cask. In 2008 it is a stunner."

"Sweet fruit is the overarching theme in this lush red. Cherry, raspberry, eucalyptus, iron and tea flavors combine with the well-integrated structure as this glides to an aftertaste of cherry and iron."

"The 2008 Barolo Bricco Viole shows the personality of the vintage and freshness of the site. Sweet red berries, flowers, mint, sage and herbs are some of the nuances that emerge from this chiseled, finessed Barolo. The cool weather personality of the year comes through in this vibrant, wiry Barolo. The Bricco Viole is a wine that needs to be served at the dinner table, where its energy will shine brightest. In 2008, the Bricco Viole is pure elegance."

"The 2008 Barolo Monfalletto is a classy wine bursting with sweet red fruit, flowers and mint. The 2008 shows gorgeous finesse from start to finish in a feminine style that is hugely appealing. A vibrant, floral finish adds lift and energy. This is a delicious 2008 from Cordero di Montezemolo. I would not be surprised if the wine develops very well in bottle. It is all class and elegance."

"The 2008 Barolo Margheria opens with a sweet, inviting bouquet redolent of hard candy, flowers, mint and licorice. Deceptively medium in body, the Margheria packs quite a bit of punch, even if that isn’t totally obvious at the outset. Layers of dark fruit flow through to a powerful, incisive finish laced with dried flowers and spices. The Margheria is notable for its intensity and textural depth."