2011 Barolo Vigneto Arborina

The 2011 Barolo Arborina is a fantastic expression that boasts a seamless fusion of dark fruit and spice. It delivers character, power and a feminine side that comes forward thanks to pretty floral definition. Pressed violets and roses rise from the glass. Elio Altare makes his wines on the verge of reduction (meaning with minimal contact with oxygen) as a way of safeguarding the aromatic intensity. In the mouth, the wine awards fine tannins and silky, long persistency.

The 2011 Barolo Arborina is unusually dark and powerful in this vintage. Only the tense, sinewy finish speaks to Arborina. Most of the other site-specific signatures appear muted in 2011, which is not unusual in this vintage. It will be interesting to see how things develop, but today the Arborina comes across as a bit heavy, with intense jammy fruit and good aromatics, but less finesse than when I tasted it just prior to bottling.

The 2011 Barolo Arborina is impeccable. Plump and juicy in the glass, the 2011 wraps around the palate with gorgeous depth and pure resonance. Cloves, menthol and leather add nuance on the finish. The firm, Arborina tannins are present, but they are nearly buried by the intensity of the fruit.