The 2006 Barolo San Rocco is sensual and enveloping. It’s hard to know where to start with the San Rocco, as fruit, acidity and structure are all beautifully integrated and refined. Still incredibly young, the wine will require a bit of patience, but the purity of the fruit is impossible to miss even at this early stage. The finish alone is eternal. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2026. Proprietor Luigi Scavino doesn’t get anywhere near the attention he deserves, but make no mistake about it, his top Barolos play in the same league with Piedmont’s elite bottlings. The Barolos see malolactic fermentation and aging in French oak barriques, although the Margheria is aged in medium-size French oak barrels. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including: de Grazia Imports; tel. (417) 732-4200; Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; (516) 677-9300, Estate Wines Ltd., San Rafael CA; (415) 492-9411, Giuliana Imports, Boulder CO; (303) 547-6343, Robert Houde Wines, Bensenville IL; (630) 422-1119

Loaded with black cherry, chocolate and coffee notes, this Barolo will require time to access its licorice and tar hallmarks. The tannins are refined, and though rich and powerful, there's a lot of finesse. Best from 2012 through 2028. 541 cases made, 316 cases imported.??–BS??Region: Italy / Piedmont / Barolo Select to Add

Azelia’s San Rocco Barolo is a stupendous wine with impressive intensity and generous aromas of wild berries, licorice, white truffle, menthol, spice, tar and leather. The tannins are firm and polished and the wine fades slowly leaving a pretty vanilla aftertaste. Hold until 2018. A Marc de Grazia selection; various American importers. ——M.L.(12/1/2010)—— 95