The 1998 Barolo La Serra is a finesse-styled offering, exhibiting a deep ruby color in addition to a sexy nose of sweet black cherries, fennel, vanilla, and spice. Velvety texture, full body, and overall harmony suggest it will drink well young as well as over the following 10-15 years. A Leonardo Locascio Selection, Winebow, Hohokus, NJ; tel. (201) 445-0620.

The 1998 Vigna Serra (a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Barbera, and Nebbiolo from Le Serra vineyard) offers classic Piedmontese characteristics of licorice, tobacco, black cherry liqueur, and dried herbs, as well as a medium-bodied, elegant, stylish, moderately weighty palate impression. It is meant to be drunk during its first 5-7 years of life.A Leonardo Locascio Selection, Winebow, Hohokus, NJ; tel. (201) 445-0620

Fresh, young Barolo, with dried fruits, flowers and oak. Full-bodied, it's big and chewy and very fresh. Still needs time to give a little more than youth. It's always been a little austere.--1998 Piedmont blind retrospective (2008). Best after 2011. 415 cases made.??–JS??Region: Italy / Piedmont / Barolo Select to Add