1999 Luciano Sandrone Barolo Le Vigne

The 1999 Barolo Le Vigne is striking and super-expressive today. Still quite youthful, the 1999 possesses lovely balance and plenty of silkiness. Subtle hints of sweet tobacco, mint, dried cherries, crushed flowers and anise are all layers of nuance in a finely sculpted, chiseled Barolo long on personality and class. This is a fabulous showing from Le Vigne.

Medium ruby. The 1999 Le Vigne presents a highly aromatic, perfumed nose and gorgeous layers of bright, focused red fruit on a medium bodied frame, with excellent length and concentration. This firmly structured Barolo remains a model of restrained elegance and finesse that strikes a gorgeous balance between traditional and modern expressions of Barolo. It will benefit from a few years of bottle age and drink well until age 20.

I generally prefer Le Vigne, which uses the grapes of a variety of sites in the eastern part of the zone, and the 1999 Barolo Le Vigne is no exception. These soils give a more concentrated Nebbiolo, and the powerfully smoky, tarry, and floral aromas of this Barolo are echoed on the palate, with large-framed, deep, and potent flavors, very mineral and with excellent spice. It is superior in density, texture, and drive. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2022. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300, Vin Divino, Chicago, IL; tel. (773) 334-6700, and Estate Wines, Ltd., San Rafael, CA; tel. (415) 492-9411