2009 Roberto Voerzio Barolo Cerequio

Bricky ruby. Aromatic intoxicating cherry liqueur nose. Dried and fresh cherry and a hint of leather. Firm, earthy, chewy and dense. Quite forbidding on the palate at the moment. Very very long. Just fresh enough. (JH)

In theme with the qualities of this vineyard cru, the 2009 Barolo Cerequio shows increased weight and structure. The wine is in no way heavy or flat. In fact, it feels infused with remarkable energy and zest. Black fruit, pipe tobacco, licorice and dried mint find perfect integration. In the mouth, the wine’s sheer power has been wrapped within a cloak of silky tannins. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2035. The wines of Roberto and Davide Voerzio offer a fitting conclusion to this tasting of Piedmont’s best red wines. These are stunning wines that capture, head on, the beauty of the 2009 vintage. They remind us of the dazzling heights achieved by the Nebbiolo grape. Importer: Winebow, Pinebrook, NJ; tel. (201) 445-0620

The 2009 Barolo Cerequio is unusually rich and powerful it this vintage. A wine of breadth, expansiveness, and volume, the 2009 boasts stunning depth and resonance from start to finish. The aromas and flavors remain pure and beautifully articulated throughout. The 2009 isn't quite as pure or vivid as the greatest Cerequios, but it is very close, and undoubtedly quite fine when taken on its own terms. A rich, totally intense finish rounds things out in style. Voerzio's 2009 Cerequio is shaping up to be one of the wines of the vintage.