5 | Wine | Barolo, 750 ml

"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."

"The 2008 Barolo Turne is drop-dead gorgeous. Dark red berries, rose petals, mint and spices flow effortlessly from this mid-weight, gracious Barolo. The long maceration time and aging in cask seems especially well-suited to the personality of the vintage. This is one of the most impressive Baroli I have ever tasted from Grasso. The 2008 is classy, elegant and first-rate. The Turne is completely different from the other Grasso Baroli because of the traditional approach to vinficiation and aging, but it is striking in 2008. Ethereal floral notes underpinned by veins of chalky minerality support the long, brilliant finish."

"The 2005 Barolo Falletto offers up a gorgeous bouquet of red cherries, flowers, spices and menthol. This is a relatively delicate, elegant Barolo Falletto yet it offers gorgeous balance, tons of inner perfume and a long, refined finish. It is one of the overachievers in 2005."

"This shows superb purity on the mid-palate, where hints of smoke, tar, licorice and a host of other aromas and flavors add complexity to the seamless fruit. A minerally, saline finish rounds things out in style. This is a stunning Barolo from Azelia."

"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."