Barolo Falletto Vigna Le Rocche, Bruno Giacosa 2013

This is incredibly powerful and structured with so much tannin backbone and ripe fruit. Aromas of plums and hazelnuts. Full-bodied and chewy. Fabulous finish. Needs three to four years to come together. Great wine. No Falleto was made in 2013. Only Le Rocche. Available in January 2017.

Cherry and strawberry fruit is supported by leather, licorice, mineral and tar flavors in this red, starting out detailed and elegant, turning firm and unyielding by the finish. Though assertive, the tannins stay within bounds, and this finds equilibrium in the end. Best from 2022 through 2045. 1,150 cases made.

The recent evolution of this wine is a bit confusing. After the 2009 Barolo le Rocche del Falletto was released, the wine was not made in 2010 or 2011. The following year, we got the 2012 Barolo Falletto that I scored last year. We now return to the series with the 2013 Barolo Falleto Vigna Le Rocche—which is, of course, the white label wine. The wine shows extremely elegant and fine characteristics with a dry and streamlined approach. Fruit tones on offer are delicate and nuanced. White truffle, balsam herb, violet and licorice are folded within. The wine was a little reticent when I tasted it and it definitely needs more time to flesh out in the bottle.