2012 Poderi Aldo Conterno Barolo Cicala 1500ml, Piedmont

The 2012 Barolo Bussia Cicala treads with larger, heavier footprints and this is what sets it apart from some of the profoundly finessed and graceful vintages of Barolo's glorious past (and future, we anticipate). The wine offers Nebbiolo-driven aromas of dark cherry, spice, tar, pressed violets and licorice, but the bouquet is a far way off from seamless integration. It feels a little rough at the edges. It will be fascinating to taste where this wine will go with an additional ten years of bottle aging. Most of that sharpness should iron out nicely with time.

Score: 91, Drink: 2017-2030, Monica Larner, The Wine Advocate