2001 Barolo Rüncot, Elio Grasso, Piedmont
Slight brick colour on the rim with a deep, bright garnet core. The nose is wonderfully complex displaying aromas of dark fruit, black cherry, tea chest characters, tarry notes and a scented, perfumed quality. The palate is equally impressive: full, bold and intense, yet fresh with finely-expressed tannins. Impeccable balance, with the oak maturation giving a supple, rounded quality to the fruit. A finely layered style which exhibits some tannic firmness, though this is admirably veiled by volume of fruit. Harmonious, fine and focused, a dusky, fruit-laden Barolo both pure and refined. How many Barolos offer such fine quality and such great value? Exceptional.