Ginestra Barolo Nebbiolo

Significantly better than last year's bottle, this baby gained weight after 2 hrs in the decanter. Nice tarry and brambly nose, but it really came through on the palate, round and powerful, with a core of blackberry, dried cranberry, cocoa and dusty tannins. Lonnnnng. Ready, but could go a while.

Big, tarry and tannic. Dry and food-friendly. Red flowers on a black cherry core. Lots of wood at 16 years that could outlast the fruit, which is still hanging in.