The 2007 Barolo Vigna La Rosa is stylistically similar to the straight Barolo, but it has more textural depth and sheer body. Sweet, perfumed flowers, dark cherries and licorice are woven together in this graceful, suprisingly vinous Barolo. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022. These are some of the best wines I have tasted from Fontanafredda. The entry-level wines are quite a bit better than the supermarket-quality level that has characterized recent vintages. The dark, opaque color, jammy fruit and overdone oak in the Baroli appear to be things of the past. The Baroli are aged one year in oak and a second year in cask, but Oenologist Danilo Drocco has lowered the percentage of new barrels in the first year dramatically, which is allowing more Nebbiolo character to come through. Importer: Palm Bay International, Boca Raton, FL; tel. (561) 362-9642

Ripe, cherry and plum jam aromas lead off, with a saturated palate of sweet fruit tinged by tar and licorice. Firm tannins conclude the adventure. Best from 2014 through 2029. 750 cases imported.??–BS??Region: Italy / Piedmont / Barolo Select to Add