Sandrone's 2006 Barolo Le Vigne possesses awesome balance as intricately woven layers of aromas and flavors come together in the glass. The 2006 is an especially powerful Le Vigne boasting a solid core of floral, red fruits supported by firm yet elegant tannins. This, too, shows the considerable drive and focus that is the hallmark of the vintage. The wine's overall balance is impeccable. Le Vigne is made from parcels in Vignane (Barolo), Conterni and Ceretta (Monforte) and Merli (Novello). The wines are aged separately for a year in 500-liter barrels. The final blend is assembled, after which the wine spends an additional year in oak prior to being bottled.

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Black cherry, plum, tar and licorice flavors are sweet and offset the firm structure in this red, which has a fine, spicy aftertaste. There's an almost lush texture, and though this is balanced, it needs time to come together.

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Love the nose on this, which delivers lots of perfumes of dried dark fruits and minerals. Full and very well-integrated, with super silky tannins and a long finish. Better than 2005.

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In a sense this is Sandrone’s "traditional Barolo" in so far as it is a blend of several small parcels of vines (the sites are listed below). It is the product of four winegrowing areas; all very different in terms of altitude, soil and exposure. All come together in a remarkable synergy to produce this wonderful Barolo. The vineyards are as follows: Vignane (Barolo), Merli (Novello), Conterni (Monforte), Ceretta (Monforte). BIBENDUM Sandrone’s 2006 Barolo Le Vigne possesses awesome balance as intricately woven layers of aromas and flavors come together in the glass. The 2006 is an especially powerful Le Vigne boasting a solid core of floral, red fruits supported by firm yet elegant tannins. This, too, shows the considerable drive and focus that is the hallmark of the vintage. The wine’s overall balance is impeccable. Le Vigne is made from parcels in Vignane (Barolo), Conterni and Ceretta (Monforte) and Merli (Novello). The wines are aged separately for a year in 500-liter barrels. The final blend is assembled, after which the wine spends an additional year in oak prior to being bottled. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2026. ANTONIO GALLONI