2007 - Barolo Brunate, Marcarini

The estate’s 2007 Barolo Brunate sweeps across the palate with endless layers of expansive fruit. The Brunate shows fabulous intensity and depth in an uncharacteristically rich, opulent style for Marcarini. Despite the wine’s richness there is plenty of Brunate character, particularly on the finish, where menthol, pine, resin, spices and a host of other balsamic notes speak with great eloquence. Marcarini harvested Brunate on September 24 and 25. The wine saw 15 days of fermentation, followed by another 42 days of contact with the skins. The wine then spent two years in large, neutral casks prior to being racked into steel to rest before being bottled. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2027. These are some of the finest Baroli I have ever tasted from Marcarini and proprietor Manuel Marchetti. The warmth of the vintage has given the wines an extra level of generosity in the fruit that acts as a wonderful counterpoint to the firm tannins that are generally present in this estate’s young Baroli. Importer: Empson, USA, Alexandria, VA; tel. (703) 684-0900

Bright medium red. Sweet, ripe aromas of cherry and redcurrant, with a hint of surmaturite. Fat, lush and sweet, with considerable power to the rich flavors of ripe red fruits and brown spices. Has the stuffing to support its big, round tannins. A very ripe style but with more supporting structure and a bit less alcohol (14.2%) than the La Serra.