2011 Barolo Brunate

Bright mid ruby with orange tinges. Earthy cherry and baking spice and with notes of dried fruit. The beginning of tar. Muscular structure that builds a unity with the ripe fruit. Salty notes and a hint of oak on the finish. Tannic, yet the fruit is already open and fine. (WS)

The 2011 Barolo Brunate is one of the most tannic and vertical wines in the range, both attributes it has shown every time I tasted it prior to bottling. A powerful, brooding Barolo, the Brunate hits the palate with notable density and structure. Today, the flavors are understandably quite primary, but that just bodes well for the future. Voerzio's Brunate is one of the most impressive wines of the year. (AG)

Voerzio's 2011 Barolo is a real head-turner. Weightless and gracious on the palate, yet blessed with tons of pure explosive energy, the Brunate captivates all the senses with its dazzling intensity and precision. The tannins are formidable, yet there is so much purity in the fruit they are barely evident at all. The Brunate has been stellar on both occassions I tasted it prior to bottling. Readers should put the Brunate on their short lists for 2011, as this looks to be one of the wines of the vintage.