2013 Cavallotto Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe

The Cavallotto 2013 Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe feels magically cool even as the wine warms in the glass. Eucalyptus, menthol and medicinal herbs rise from the bouquet, with dark fruit and savory spice in tow. When you first open the bottle, it shows a distinct mineral character with crushed aspirin, limestone and graphite. I opened a second bottle a few days before this tasting and had both bottles side by side to compare. Both showed impressive results with a pristine level of focus, sharpness and linearity. With aeration, those dark fruit nuances come to the forefront, showing dried cherry, plum and candied orange peel. A few hours later, you pick up on leather, tobacco and cedar wood. This is a fluid and ever-changing wine that is well worth adding to your cellar selection. What a beauty.

The 2013 Barolo Riserva San Giuseppe is just gorgeous. It's good to see how well the 2013 has come together since I first tasted it. Powerful and virile, with tremendous aromatic intensity and tons of structure, the 2013 has so much to offer. Time in the glass brings out myriad layers of nuance. Sage, mint, lavender, geranium, cinnamon and blood orange add an exotic flair. Put simply, the 2013 San Giuseppe is everything Barolo should be. Unlike the Vignolo, the San Giuseppe is going to need a number of years to be at its best. Even so, it is impressive in the early going.

Mid ruby. Smoke-tinged nose with mace and heady earthy notes. Lots of fruit here and quite an elegant structure. Lots of juicy acidity supports the wine. A long, clean and tight finish. Nice balance of sweet and savoury. (AC)