2021 Barolo, Specola, Figli Luigi Oddero, Piedmont, Italy

Named after the Specola Tower that’s located in the Rive Cru in La Morra and commemorated on the estate’s labels, the gorgeous 2021 Specola is extremely very fragrant, offering rose, menthol, fleshy red berry and cake spice. Polished and delicious, the rounded palate doles out great fruit flavors of crushed raspberry, succulent Morello cherry, licorice and nutmeg. Velvety tannins and fresh acidity provide seamless support. Thanks to the juicy fruit, you won’t need years before this hits the start of its ideal drinking window where it will stay for years.

The south-facing Specola vineyard takes its name from the observatory tower in the centre of the Rive MGA, which has also become the symbol gracing all of Luigi Oddero’s labels. An exquisite nose wafts with raspberry compote, strawberry blossom and Earl Grey tea. The juicy red fruit core is swathed in fine, chalky tannins which increase in volume gracefully across the palate. A burst of blood orange keeps it buoyant, and all that youthful energy makes me want to drink this now – but it has legs for another dozen years. The finish just keeps on going. Very classy.