2015 Barolo, Ester Canale Rosso, Vigna Rionda, Giovanni Rosso, Piedmont, Italy

Amazing purity of fruit that is lifted and with minerally notes, too. Dark and brooding. Transparent palate with energetic acidity that melts into the pure cherry fruit. Succulent and with fine-grained tannins that push up the whole on the finish. Very long, focused and yet generous with nervy acidity on the finish. Hedonistic and stylish. Complex, firm tannins that are at the same time extremely refined.

The 2015 Barolo Vigna Rionda is a wine of real power and intensity. Readers will have to be patient, as the 2015 needs time for the sensuality and pedigree of Rionda to emerge. Today, the 2015 is a bit bombastic, although it offers tons of allure. Hints of tobacco, leather, dark cherry, licorice, menthol, spice and dried flowers build as the 2015 shows off everything its got. I can't wait to taste the 2015 with a bit more bottle age.

If there is a village which has benefitted from the warm vintage in 2015, it is Serralunga. Within it, Vigna Rionda is a cult cru for those seeking elegant Barolo. Extremely pale and garnet coloured, this is reductive in its style with an austere nose of restrained strawberry and rhubarb fruit, then liquorice and tar. It fills the palate with a thick and full body and almost angular yet ripe tannins, showing outstanding integration between fruit and acidity. It's not an easy wine to approach now, yet it has great depth and potential.