2009 Barolo

Prunotto's 2009 Barolo is totally open for business. Rich, round and seductive, the 2009 flows across the palate with sweet red berries, crushed flowers and spices. The 2009 won't last forever, but it is a very pretty and delicious Barolo to drink now and over the next handful of years. The long, persistent finish in particular makes it hard to resist a second taste.

Just mid ruby with broad orange rim. A little reductive on the nose. Succulent ripe fruit complemented by muscular tannins, but on the whole not very inspiring. (WS)

Prunotto’s 2009 Barolo shows austere aromas of pressed fruit, tar and licorice. There’s no question that this wine has been made with impeccable precision. With a little time in the glass, softer tones of spice and leather become more evident. It shows medium body with rock solid structure at the back. I am interested in tasting this wine again in four or five years. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025. The big news at Prunotto (Marchesi Antinori’s estate in Monforte d’Alba) is the near completion of a state-of-the-art winery. This is the latest project added to the Florentine family’s already impressive list of wineries spanning the Italian peninsula. Starting this fall, the new building will house the estate’s more prestigious wine, the Barolo Bussia Riserva Vigna Colonnello. Its first edition, the 2008 vintage, will be released in 2014. I was delighted to see how far this winery has come. Just a few years ago, I recall darkly jammy and over extracted wines from Prunotto. But the current offers are anything but. They show enormous elegance and poise, even in the warmer vintages. Importer: Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Woodinville, WA; tel. (425) 415-3738