2012 Figli Luigi Oddero Vigna Rionda, Barolo DOCG, Italy 750ml

Here's a beautiful late release from Oddero. The 2012 Barolo Riserva Vignarionda has been softened and chiseled down with time, and the mellow contours of the once-hard edges are coming out. The wine offers lots of dark and rich fruit, with dried blackberry, tar, leather and cured tobacco. There is a point of subtle sweetness on the close. All of these lovely sensations settle slowly onto the palate, imparting extra density and richness with each step. The 2012 vintage appeared monotone to me when I first tasted it upon its release years ago. A rare exception, this wine shows us that we can expect beautiful things from this vintage. (ML)