2015 Massolino Barolo Vigna Rionda Riserva

Camphor, underbrush, spice and brandy-soaked cherry are just some of the aromas you'll find in this gorgeous red. The full-bodied palate combines firmness with finesse, delivering raspberry compote, ripe Marasca cherry, licorice and tobacco flavors framed in assertive, fine-grained tannins. It's youthfully austere and needs time to fully develop but it's already impressive.

The core of dark- and red-cherry flavors in this wine seems to glow with energy, surging outward as the wine gains notes of graphite and subtle spice. This Barolo offers beautiful balance in the warm 2015 growing season, the pedigree of the Vigna Rionda site showing through in the cool, ferrous tannins that accentuate the brightness of those cherry fruit tones. The flavors are precise and persistent, drawing out on a long and riveting finish.