The 2001 Barolo Bricco Rocche flows with layers of dark red berries, crushed flowers, licorice and tobacco. There is an effortless, gracious quality to the 2001 that is quite attractive. Here, too, my impression is that the wine needs to be drunk over the next 2-3 years. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2014. Ceretto’s 2001s have fared quite a bit better than the 2000s. I remember tasting the 2001s when they were about to be released. At the time the wines were quite sleek and oaky. Since then, the estate has backed off considerably on the new French oak, as I detail in my article on the 2008 Baroli, also in Issue 200. Importer: Wilson Daniels Ltd, St. Helena, CA; tel. (707) 963-9661

The 100% new-oak aged 2001 Barolo Bricco Rocche was made from old vines yielding just 40 hectoliters per hectare. The nose is redolent of spices and menthol with notes of minerals and anise. On the palate it is very dense and long, although the wine remains dominated by the new oak and is tough to fully evaluate today. Once again I find this wine’s price to be out of line with its quality. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2023. Importer: Moet Hennessy USA, New York, NY; tel. (212) 251-8200

Extremely floral and pretty, with roses, light plums and light, fresh herb character. Full-bodied, with well-integrated tannins and a long, light spice and vanilla aftertaste. Lots of new wood. Best after 2008. 580 cases made, 150 cases imported.??–JS??Region: Italy / Piedmont / Barolo Select to Add

Shows great precision in its aromas and flavors, delivering ripe cherries, floral and herbal notes in a swirl of complexity that never seems muddled or cluttered. Medium-bodied—despite great intensity of flavor it never feels weighty or heavy. Finishes with dusty tannins, so although its approachable now, it should easily go 20 years. Imported by Moet Hennessy USA. ——J.C.(3/1/2006)—— 94