I am very happy with these new releases from Virna. The 2014 Barolo Sarmassa builds intensity as the wine opens in the glass. It brings on dark fruit, grilled herb and spice—much of which seems to also come from the oak aging. The wine is aged in both tonneaux (both new and used) and botte grande for one year. Sarmassa delivers a contemporary interpretation of Barolo, but there is enough structure and textural richness to pull it all together with seamless integrity and power. Bottle production is very small—only 2,500 units were made.