BAROLO ROCCHE DELL’ANNUNZIATA 2014: 16.5
La Morra. Just mid ruby thet is a little shiny. Mineral-driven nose with hints of shy cherry becoming more prominent with aeration. Succulent palate with an echo of sweet raspberry fruit, but one that lasts. Light yet very pretty and can still age further. Super-elegant, soft tannins add depth to the finish.
BAROLO ROCCHE DELL’ANNUNZIATA 2013: 17++
La Morra. Mid ruby with narrow bricky rim. Sweet dried cherry and savoury, malty notes with a hint of smoke. Quite good depth and still a little compact on the palate. Finely tuned palate with succulent fruit and a rich layer of powdery tannins. Real freshness and bite and while this has plenty of depth it is elegant rather than powerful.
BAROLO RISERVA ROCCHE DELL’ANNUNZIATA 2012: 17.5
La Morra. Selection of the oldest vines (nearly 50 years old) in their Rocche dell’Annunziata holding. Aged for one year in concrete, followed by two years in large oak cask and three years in concrete tanks.
Developed mid ruby with watery rim. The normal amplified. Savoury and stony with brooding intensity underneath. Hints of dried cherry. Very compact sweet and sleek red fruit. Long powdery tannins. The sweet fruit on the finish demands a little more time. Sleek yet with real depth of fruit on the finish. Subtle rather than powerful.
BAROLO ROCCHE DELL’ANNUNZIATA 2015: 17.5
La Morra. Maturing mid ruby with orange tinges. Fascinating, peppery nose of raspberry, iron and with minerals seeming to jump out of the glass. Ripe, aromatic raspberry fruit tied up in heaps of powdery tannins. Very long and focused and with an impression of richness, but this needs age. Gorgeous supple acidity on the finish.
BAROLO 2016: 16
Lustrous mid ruby with some development on the rim. Lifted, but savoury rather than fruit-driven. Rusty nail and orange skin with a subtle note of spice. Lovely ripe acidity wrapping up shy fruit. Fine chewy tannins on the finish. Light on its feet. (Cask sample)
BAROLO ROCCHE DELL’ANNUNZIATA 2016: 17++
Lustrous mid ruby with orange tinges. Very closed yet enticing nose with a minerally savoury edge and a suggestion of damson. Definitely old school. Fresh, yet shy sour-cherry palate and almost a little lip-smacking and with a layer of powdery tannins. Shy, perfumed finish and really intriguing. (Cask sample)