The 2003 Barolo Brunate is an impressive effort. It is noticeably fresher than the Cerequio, with livelier color and more freshness in its essence of blackberry liqueur, roses, menthol and sweet toasted oak. This vibrant Barolo offers superb length and definition in a powerful, yet sweet style. It is another terrific Barolo from a vineyard that seems to have been especially successful in 2003. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2018. Roberto Voerzio is one of the very few producers who has always been enthusiastic about his 2003s. His wines are beautiful even if they have shut down considerably since I last tasted them in tank a few months prior to their bottling. Voerzio’s passion for the vintage notwithstanding, 2003 presented an extremely challenging set of circumstances. Some of the wines never fully completed fermenting their sugars. Voerzio refused to use the additives that could have helped, saying that would have compromised the wines’ naturalness. In 2003 there is no Barolo La Serra or Barolo Rocche dell’Annunziata. Voerzio also decided not to bottle his Langhe Merlot. There will be a new Barolo Riserva made from his newest holdings in Fossati/Case Nere, of which Voerzio says “this will be my Monfortino.” Curiously, Voerzio is often lumped in with producers of the modernist school, yet the Piedmont wines he is most passionate about are those of Bruno Giacosa and Giacomo Conterno, both of whom are heavily represented in his own cellar. Importer: Winebow, Hohokus, NJ; tel. (201) 445-0620

The 2003 Barolo Brunate is an impressive effort. It is noticeably fresher than the Cerequio, with livelier color and more freshness in its essence of blackberry liqueur, roses, menthol and sweet toasted oak. This vibrant Barolo offers superb length and definition in a powerful, yet sweet style. It is another terrific Barolo from a vineyard that seems to have been especially successful in 2003. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2018. Roberto Voerzio is one of the very few producers who has always been enthusiastic about his 2003s. His wines are beautiful even if they have shut down considerably since I last tasted them in tank a few months prior to their bottling. Voerzio’s passion for the vintage notwithstanding, 2003 presented an extremely challenging set of circumstances. Some of the wines never fully completed fermenting their sugars. Voerzio refused to use the additives that could have helped, saying that would have compromised the wines’ naturalness. In 2003 there is no Barolo La Serra or Barolo Rocche dell’Annunziata. Voerzio also decided not to bottle his Langhe Merlot. There will be a new Barolo Riserva made from his newest holdings in Fossati/Case Nere, of which Voerzio says “this will be my Monfortino.” Curiously, Voerzio is often lumped in with producers of the modernist school, yet the Piedmont wines he is most passionate about are those of Bruno Giacosa and Giacomo Conterno, both of whom are heavily represented in his own cellar.Importer: Winebow, Hohokus, NJ; tel. (201) 445-0620

Shows aromas of blackberry and strawberry, with just a hint of flowers. Full-bodied and chewy, this is a fresh, powerful young Barolo. Layered, with great depth. Excellent for the vintage. Best after 2011. 260 cases made, 40 cases imported.??–JS??Region: Italy / Piedmont / Barolo Select to Add