Rocche Costamagna, Barolo, Rocche dell'Annunziata Bricco Francesco Riserva

wonderfull wine. is at its turning point. requires short decanting and drink. deep color changing to brownish. first nose liquorish with laurier, after some time opening up with some dark fruit. lots of finesse in the nose. on palate also the laurier and dark fruit. lots of levels. some acidity left. nice in balance very pleasant drink.

nice wine, leather and Tabaco notes in nose, pleasant color. long finish. still needs decanting for 3-5 hours.

Faint roses and camphor on the nose. On the palate, black cherry, tar, and notes of strawberry and savory herbs on the medium finish, with moderate tannins and good acidity. This is evolving nicely, and it's noticeably better integrated than a bottle drunk four years ago. It's sophisticated and elegant rather than powerful, and it's in its drinking window, which should last for some years. This was a very good value at about $40.

Menthol on the nose. On the palate, cherry, strawberry, roses, and a hint of tar on the medium finish, with good acidity. This is still young, but it's starting to open up and show a bit of development. This is not a blockbuster style, but instead is restrained and balanced. Good value at about $40.

With the caveat that I drank this way too early (needs another 1-2 years at least), I would call it a fairly decent, low-end Barolo. The cinnamon and cedar on the palate, combined with gripping tannins, tend to throw the balance off somewhat. Again, it needs a few years to mellow out. I would recommend that you only drink now if you have several more waiting in the cellar.

Barolo Seminar with Tom Hyland (Perman Wines, Chicago IL) : nose: very perfumed and delicate with lovely and rounded tones of lilacs, hrebs, violets, red currants, red cherries, cinammon, and slight hints of perfumes. Great balance and polish to the nose with beautiful nuances that dance around with the great complexity that it brings taste: young and elegant with medium+ acidity. Plush feel with soft tones of lilacs, herbs, red currants, spice tones, wild strawberries, and red cherries. Fairly accessible …

Barolo Seminar (Perman) : From La Morra. Lighter color than the Ratti. Potpourri, smoke and wild strawberries. Tight and closed. Cherry and flowers on the palate. A little short finish right now. Overall a nice Barolo.