2011 Barolo Sori Ginestra

Dark crimson – bluer than most. Dense, sweet and almost Cabernet-like in its structure. A little overdone. This producer’s wines seem to succeed more in a less intense idiom. Almost bitter in its intensity on the finish. (JR)

A rush of dark red and black fruit, menthol, mocha, spice, tobacco and cedar flesh out in the 2011 Barolo Sorì Ginestra. Some of the typical darker, more balsamic notes of Ginestra are covered by the pure intensity of the fruit. As always, Ginestra is a wine that is defined by its combination of expressive aromatics, rich fruit and incisive tannins. In 2011 readers should expect a Ginestra that will drink well a little earlier than normal.

The Barolo Sorì Ginestra is deep, powerful and explosive, with a huge center of fruit. Dark cherries, plums, tobacco, menthol and licorice are all very much alive in the glass. Unusually pliant and resonant, the 2011 is quite appealing today, although I expect it will clamp down in bottle for at least a few years.