Fragrant and delicious, this gorgeous wine opens with inviting aromas of rose, sandalwood, camphor and perfumed berry alongside whiffs of truffle and French oak. The full-bodied palate combines elegance and structure, featuring ripe Morello cherry, crushed raspberry, licorice and a dollop of vanilla alongside firm, refined tannins. It's already tempting but hold for more complexity. (KO)

According to Luca Sandrone, his key to success in the hot and dry 2017 vintage was resisting the temptation to pick too early, before the grapes reached optimal phenolic ripeness. While some producers began picking in September, the Sandrone team waited until early October, when cooler temperatures refreshed the vines. Le Vigne, a blend of fruit from four communes (Barolo, Castiglione Falletto, Novello and Serralunga d’Alba), indicates that the team’s timing was spot-on. The wine’s rich dark cherry flavors are laced with notes of licorice, carob and warm spice, the flavors gliding on smooth, polished tannins in a long, layered finish.

The 2017 Barolo Le Vigne is rich, pliant and so expressive. Even so, I imagine it will need a few years to open up fully. Bright red fruit, rose petal, blood orange and spice give the 2017 its distinctly red-toned profile. Elegant and translucent, the 2017 is very nicely balanced. Vineyard sources are Baudana, Villero, Vignane and Merli. (AG) 95+