2012 La Spinetta Barolo Garretti, Piedmont

The 2012 Barolo Vigneto Garretti is a dark and brooding wine that has a long way to travel on its evolutionary track. Only at the beginning of its ageing trajectory, this Barolo reveals stern and uncompromising notes of dark fruit, tar, licorice and smoke. The mouthfeel is firmly constructed, tight and crisp. The bouquet is layered and powerful. Give this wine five more years, at a bare minimum, of cellar aging. 94 points. Monica Larner, Wine Advocate June 2016

Smells like bouquet garni with lot of spices and flowers. Dark fruits too. Full body, chewy tannins and a flavorful finish. Drink in 2019. 91 points. James Suckling, jamessuckling.com March 2016

Exuberant to the core, the 2012 Barolo Vigneto Garretti is one of the more immediate wines of the year. A rush of red berries, wild flowers, mint and sweet French oak hits the palate. There is a lot to like in this racy Barolo. The new oak is a bit prominent, but the wine's depth and overall presence are both intriguing. While showy today, the 2012 will be even better in another year or two, once the tannins soften a bit further. 91 points. Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media March 2016