2007 Barolo Brunate

The 2007 Barolo Le Brunate is a dark, seductive wine loaded with vibrant dark fruit. The wine needs quite a bit of time in the glass to find its center, but over time the fruit becomes expressive and darker, mentholated notes begin to emerge, adding complexity. As delicious as this is, it doesn’t quite reach the level of the 2006. There appears to be just a hint of newer cask here as well, but I don’t think that is too big of an issue. That said, neither of the two bottles I tasted was totally convincing. Anticipated maturity: 2017-3032. This is a solid set of new releases from Francesco Rinaldi. I would be hard pressed to name another winery that has made more significant improvements in the overall quality of the wines than Francesco Rinaldi. The style remains rigorously traditional, but the wines are far more elegant than they were just a few years ago. The 2007 Baroli are quite typical for the year. Importers: Polaner Selections, Mt. Kisco, NY; tel. (914) 244-0404; Vinity Wine Company, Emeryville, CA; tel. (510) 601-6010; Triage Wines Inc., Seattle, WA; tel. (503) 236-6262; World Wide Cellars, Minneapolis, MN; tel. (612) 378-0025; Classic Wine Company, Birmingham, AL; tel. (205) 871-9463

Barolo-La Morra. Medium ruby beginning to show orange tinges. Round, sweet cherry and strawberry nose and leafy cherry notes, but with depth. Lots of sweet fruit wrapping up the tannin. Needs much more time. (WS)

The 2007 Barolo Le Brunate is a dark, seductive wine loaded with vibrant dark fruit. The wine needs quite a bit of time in the glass to find its center, but over time the fruit becomes expressive and darker, mentholated notes begin to emerge, adding complexity. As delicious as this is, it doesn’t quite reach the level of the 2006. There appears to be just a hint of newer cask here as well, but I don’t think that is too big of an issue. That said, neither of the two bottles I tasted was totally convincing. Anticipated maturity: 2017-3032. Oct 2011, www.robertparker.com