2014 - Barolo La Vigna Elena Riserva, Elvio Cogno

The 2014 Barolo Riserva Ravera Vigna Elena is seamless in the glass, with stunning balance and all of the pedigree of this year. Medium in body and gracious, it shows elegant notes of rose petal, mint, white pepper, sweet tobacco and dried flowers. Sweet red stone fruit marry with a classic sense of austerity. All of the elements here come together in this stunning, gloriously beautiful Barolo from Cogno. Deeply expressive and intense, the 2014 Vigna Elena is not an obvious wine, but instead it is ethereal, lifted and with pure class.

The Elvio Cogno portfolio concludes with the special 2014 Barolo Riserva Ravera Vigna Elena. This wine from the cooler 2014 vintage stands far apart from the other new releases from the 2015 and 2016 vintages also hitting the market at this time. Ephemeral, fragile and delicate, the wine shows a softer caliber of fruit, with wild berry, cassis, smoke, tar and powdered licorice. There are earthy notes at the back with truffle essence and forest floor. This vintage offers a heightened level of complexity and nuance. This wine is a pure expression of the Rosé clone of Nebbiolo that is known for its lighter color and delicate aromas. A mere 3,000 bottles exist.

Novello. ‘In years like 2014 [very rainy and cold] I want to show I can excel and we made all the crus [in this vintage].’Lustrous mid ruby. Deep perfumed nose with a hint of pet shop. Alluring and complex with savoury hints intermingled. Minerally and balsamic notes. Impressive freshness and lightness of touch, yet long and with fine, powdery tannins. Iron and orange and sour cherry on the finish. The accent lies firmly on finesse and elegance. (WS)