This was such a fun bottle in it's youth, fleshier than one might expect from a young Barolo, which was a sign both of the vintage as well as the cellar practices at Vietti. While I loved the pure expression of fruit this showed early on I was not sure how it would develop.
Well, it has exceeded my expectations. The last 3 bottles showed a very closed Barolo (2013), a somewhat closed bottle that offered some appeal (2016), and this bottle that, while still struggled to open up, shows all indications of developing into a classic example of Rocche.
Very red fruited on the nose with scents of rose petals and folded in oak lifted by a hint of VA. Bright, with tons of acid for the vintage. Medium weight and still very tannic with decent length to the earthy finish. A bit tight still and tarry, severe and lacking the joyous fruit it once had. This is a tough bird once again tonight but better than the last bottle. Long, tannic, and slightly bitter finish. This is a powerhouse without the weight.
And this grows superbly in the glass. I gave it a 9 hour double decant and it unfolded in the glass during the course of a 2 hour dinner. Still tight, though becoming elegant and transparent in the mouth with fine black cherry skin fruit, a hint of coffee, and penetrating minerality emerging on the midpalate and driving through the lengthening cherry fruited finale. One must have faith, and while this may never evolve to be the greatest example of Rocche, all signs point towards it becoming a classic example. A wonderful surprise to me! I look forward to following this over the next 2 decades to see where it ends up. Given current pricing it remain a decent value but I don't expect to buy more unless at a discount to current retail. 92pts with room to grow.
Well, it has exceeded my expectations. The last 3 bottles showed a very closed Barolo (2013), a somewhat closed bottle that offered some appeal (2016), and this bottle that, while still struggled to open up, shows all indications of developing into a classic example of Rocche.
Very red fruited on the nose with scents of rose petals and folded in oak lifted by a hint of VA. Bright, with tons of acid for the vintage. Medium weight and still very tannic with decent length to the earthy finish. A bit tight still and tarry, severe and lacking the joyous fruit it once had. This is a tough bird once again tonight but better than the last bottle. Long, tannic, and slightly bitter finish. This is a powerhouse without the weight.
And this grows superbly in the glass. I gave it a 9 hour double decant and it unfolded in the glass during the course of a 2 hour dinner. Still tight, though becoming elegant and transparent in the mouth with fine black cherry skin fruit, a hint of coffee, and penetrating minerality emerging on the midpalate and driving through the lengthening cherry fruited finale. One must have faith, and while this may never evolve to be the greatest example of Rocche, all signs point towards it becoming a classic example. A wonderful surprise to me! I look forward to following this over the next 2 decades to see where it ends up. Given current pricing it remain a decent value but I don't expect to buy more unless at a discount to current retail. 92pts with room to grow.
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