2005 Barolo Monvigliero Riserva

‘In 2003 we realised that Monvigliero could give us great material to make a Riserva – not based on a particularly good vintage or a specific period of ageing but rather with higher quality of the grapes and a later harvest.’ 30-40 days skin maceration, ‘cappello sommerso’ (submerged cap – ie skins are kept in the wine rather than floating atop with the help of a heavy grid that pushes them down) and punching down to extract only the softer tannins and colour and flavour. 2005 as a vintage is not homogeneous. Just mid ruby with orange tinges. Lifted leafy cherry with wonderful concentration. Intense and sweet on the attack, then austere and long and perfumed. Powerful yet lithe and beautifully sculpted. Still young. (WS)