Brandini Barolo Annunziata DOCG 2018

From a wonderfully elegant vintage, this is a single vineyard Barolo from the La Morra sub-region. Fermentation in stainless steel, maceration on skins for four weeks and then ageing in large oak barrels, a mix of 20 to 60 hectolitres, for two and a half years and then more time in bottle. The team see this as quintessential La Morra, for good reason.

Deep plum, maroon, purple. The nose is full of cherries, florals, strawberries and coffee beans. Good focus and balance, with abundant but rather silky tannins. Despite their presence, they are near invisible. Superb length here and beautifully attractive flavours, a brilliant Barolo. This has at least fifteen to twenty years ahead of it but will already be providing pleasure.