2001 - Barolo Vigna Roul, Rocche Dei Manzoni

The 2001 Barolo Vigna d’la Roul is the most classic of these 2001 Barolos. It reveals phenomenal balance in its layers of dark cherries, violets, tar, new leather, sweet toasted oak and mentholated, balsamic overtones that develop in the glass. This massively structured, large-scaled Barolo reveals an unusual amount of detail for such a big wine. It will require considerable patience, but will offer much pleasure to those who can wait. Vigna d’la Roul is the oldest of the family’s holdings and was the principal component of many of the estate’s legendary wines, including the 1978 Valentino Riserva. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2026. Rocche dei Manzoni is an estate whose Barolos I have tended to underrate when young, but then always enjoyed immensely with bottle age. The estate's Barolos are made in a sleek, modern style, with 100% new French oak aging. The wines typically require some bottle age to absorb their oak component. In time, the wines always express the qualities of their respective Monforte terrroirs. I have consistently been thrilled with how vintages like 1978, 1982 and 1989 have developed, and only wish I had a deeper collection of the wines in my cellar. Rodolfo Migliorini is one of the few producers who decided not to bottle his single-vineyard selections in 2003, opting instead for a blend, which has turned out to be one of the highlights of the vintage. Migliorini has told me on several occasions, however, that he considers his 2002 Barolo Rocche (also a blend) to have more potential for development over time because it is a fresher wine. I also include notes on the 2001 Barolos which were completely shut down when I tasted them last year. Lastly, readers should not look past the estate's more accessible wines, the best of which are noteworthy and deserving of close consideration. Rocche dei Manzoni produces one of the best champenoise-style wines in Italy. Importer: Robert Chadderdon Selections, New York, NY; tel. (212) 332-4999