2018 - Barolo Monvigliero, Fratelli Alessandria

The 2018 Barolo Monvigliero is broad, ample and so expressive, all while showing the finesse and classicism that are such a signature of this wine. All elements are so well balanced in a Barolo that speaks to harmony above all else. Sweet red cherry, cedar, orange peel, tobacco and cinnamon give the 2018 tons of aromatic presence. Best of all, the 2018 will drink well with minimal cellaring. It's a gorgeous wine in every way.

The 2018 Barolo Monvigliero shows a beautiful signature of pressed violets, rose garden, white stone, crushed peppercorn and grilled rosemary. The wine is smooth and soft in texture, yet it feels stitched up and firm at the back thanks to the support it gets from those balanced tannins. This wine should hold 20 years or more.

The 2018 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo Monvigliero has an appealing, youthful, blueish tone. Aromas are very sweet at first with a top notes of coconut oak spice with lots of ripe cherry and fragrant fruit. On the palate the first impression is soft, round and gentle and the medium-bodied tannins are light and pleasantly grippy. There's a crunchy green herb note in the middle that reminds me of the 2018 vintage but which adds to the range of flavors and offsets the ripe red fruit notes. Leave 2 years, and drink for 15 to 20.

Verduno. Mid to deep ruby. Tight, compact and very lifted nose with sour cherry, but really very embryonic. This is more sour cherry/cool climate and has less obvious richness compared with their San Lorenzo di Verduno. Amarena-cherry notes and minerally salty hints underneath. Truly complex, elegant, compact and youthful with a beautiful aromatic build-up on the finish. Finely balanced and with a layer of finely ground tannins. Long. Possesses inherent freshness with lots of acidity. (WS)