2019 Renato Corino Barolo Rocche dell'Annunziata, Piedmont

The 2019 Barolo Rocche dell'Annunziata is a gorgeous wine from Renato Corino. Bright and effusive, with captivating aromatic presence, the 2019 is all charm. Succulent dark cherry, cinnamon, blood orange, new leather, spice, sweet pipe tobacco and a kiss of French oak all meld together in a sumptuous Barolo that is all charm. In 2019, Corino opted to not make a Riserva, so all the barrels went into this bottling. Give the 2019 a few years to come together in bottle. 2027-2039.

95 points Antonio Galloni vinous.com

Rocche dell’Annunziata ranks as one of the greatest vineyards not just of La Morra but of the whole of Barolo – it is considered equivalent to a Grand Cru (if you wanted to apply a Burgundian term). It possesses a long history, dating back beyond 1194, when it was the property of the Benedictine Abbey of San Martino in the village of La Morra. So many growers own a small part of this 30-hectare vineyard, which goes some way to justify its importance – it is no coincidence that the estates of Bartolo Mascarello, Paolo Scavino, Roberto Voerzio, Mauro Veglio or Lorenzo Accomasso, amongst others, all have holdings here. Rocche dell’Annunziata lies at 300 metres above sea level and comprises south, south-east and south-west facing slopes, where the vineyards are based on calcareous clay, almost chalky white on the higher parts of the slope, with a high proportion of silt. This soil composition is said to lead to the striking perfume and silky textural character common to the wines of this Cru.