2001 Barolo Gavarini Chiniera

The 2001 Barolo Gavarini Vigna Chiniera opens with a beguiling, totally exotic bouquet. Sweet roses, Mirabelle plums, spices, tar and mint are some of the many nuances that emerge from the glass. The 2001 has gained quite a bit of body and volume over the last few years. This is a pretty big style for the Chiniera, even if the wine isn’t quite as polished as the very best vintages Anticipated maturity: 2012-2021. These are three fine Baroli from the Grasso family. Personally, I think the wines improved markedly after 2004 or so, but the 2001s have nevertheless aged nicely. Various American importers, including: Martin Scott Wines, Little Neck, NY; tel. (516) 327-0808; Langdon Shiverick Imports, Cleveland, OH; tel. (213) 483-5900; Classic Wine Imports, Norwood, MA; Admirality Beverage Co. Columbia Distributing Company, Portland, Oregon; tel. (503) 289-9600

The 2001 Barolo Gavarini Vigna Chiniera presents a nose of flowers, spices, minerals and toasted oak. It is a beautiful, medium-bodied Barolo that offers plenty of sweet red fruit with excellent length and terrific overall harmony. All class and elegance.

(from minerally sand-and-chalk soil) Good medium red. Pure, highly aromatic nose combines strawberry, dried flowers, mocha and underbrush. Sweet, broad and rich, with good density of texture leavened by harmonious acidity. Serious, floral, minerally Barolo that's still youthfully tight. Finishes quite long, with substantial but sweet tannins.