2011 Barolo Le Vigne - SIBI ET PAUCIS 1,5 l Luciano Sandrone

From a hot and dry vintage that saw dusty winds blowing up through the Mediterranean and spreading particles of sand from Africa, this wine shows open-knit appeal with loose texture and lots of dark fruit intensity. The Luciano Sandrone 2011 Barolo Le Vigne Sibi et Paucis pours from the bottle with rich and velvety intensity, followed by dried cherry, blackberry, spice, leather and tar. I tasted the 2009 vintage before this and am now focused on the 2011, so I wonder if perhaps the 2010 vintage is being held back even longer at the winery in their special cellar built for these precious late-release wines.

The 2011 Barolo Le Vigne is starting to move into an early plateau of maturity. Sweet red-toned fruit, orange peel, spice, rose petal and cedar fill out the layers effortlessly. My impression is that the 2011 has lost a bit of its youthful intensity and depth. For that reason, I suggest drinking it over the next handful of years. This is a re-release from the winery.

Mid ruby with bright orange tinges. Concentrated deep nose. Lots of tannic, concentrated fruit on the palate with the right dose of acidity. Straightforward.