The 2011 Barolo Lazzarito is a landmark wine and one of the best expressions made region-wide in this challenging vintage. The bouquet is gorgeous thanks to the never-ending aromas of dark fruit, licorice and balsam herb that peel off the top. The Lazzarito vineyard in Serralunga d'Alba is characterized by thick soils and deep shifts between daytime and nighttime temperatures. These are important factors that lead to quality fruit despite the summer heat.

The 2011 Barolo Lazzarito is fabulous in this vintage. Rich, ample and structured, the 2011 is both opulent and savory in style. Iron, plums, dark red cherries, smoke, licorice and tobacco meld together in a remarkably harmonious young Serralunga Barolo. This is the first year the Vietti Lazzarito includes a second recently acquired parcel, which may be one of the factors that influences quality, but at the same time, the Lazzarito has been the most improved Barolo in the range. All the elements come together in the 2011, a wine that has it all. This is a great showing from the Lazzarito. Best of all, readers won't have to wait forever to enjoy this beautiful, pedigreed Barolo.

Lots of gorgeous fruit here with dried berry and walnut plus hints of hazelnuts. Full body, integrated tannins and a clean, fresh finish. Very youthful and direct. Give it two or three years of bottle age.

Dense and wiry, the cherry, strawberry, earth and spice flavors are embedded in the chewy tannins. Initially on the austere side, this gains elegance with aeration. Should be tempered by food or time in the cellar. Fine length.