2001 Barbaresco Maria Adelaide

The 2001 Barbaresco Maria Adelaide is a recent addition to the line-up. It is made from a selection of the ripest fruit in all of Rocca's various vineyards, so the exact source of the fruit in the wine is subject to variation from year to year. The 2001 is a deeply-colored effort, spiced and balsamic on the nose, with plenty of concentration in its sweet dark fruit and an ample, generous frame of notable length as well as balance. Perhaps I caught it at an awkward stage, but it does not appear to be especially typical of either nebbiolo or Barbaresco, although it is unquestionably well-made and enjoyable.