Roagna Barolo Vecchie Viti Pira

BYO with the Barolo Boys (67 Pall Mall) : On paper this should have been incredible, but perhaps it suffered from being tried straight after the delightful Burlotto. Roagna always seems to push towards being over-ripe for my palate (although most often stays masterfully on the right side of the line) and this did seem a big wine, rich with dark cherry fruit. Perhaps there were facets that I didn't spot given the circumstances?

14% alcohol. The grapes come from old vines set in the ground in 1937. Reminiscent of an older Italian wine farmer with a slightly tight proud expression with an inner charm of cherries, dried orange fruit peel, light acetone, roaddust and good salts. Really good depth on the aromas. Medium + full-bodied wine with powerful yet delicate cherry mouthfeel, dried fruit peel, light vegetal tone and licorice. A little bit of tar too. The middle section is surprisingly good for …