The Barale Fratelli 2015 Barolo Cannubi offers a powerful nose with a hint more alcoholic power (measured at 14.5%) that reminds us of the warm and sunny growing conditions experienced in this vintage. There is a sweet note to the fruit that comes forward with candied almond or cherry liqueur and ultimately finishes with spice, tar and tobacco. Eleonora Barale farms half a hectare in the celebrated Cannubi site. I'll give the wine the benefit of a long drinking window, but there's nothing wrong with popping the cork after a shorter aging of about five to 10 years. A mere 1,764 bottles were released.

The 2014 Barolo Cannubi is a loosely textured and softly intense expression of Nebbiolo, with dark fruit layers that are closely interwoven and tight. This wine shows the delicate character of the vintage, with light hints of evolution that come forth as licorice, tar and smoke. This is a good one to tuck away in the cellar for a while. A mere 1,850 bottles were released.

The 2012 Barolo Cannubi shows a dark and sophisticated personality. Thanks to its sandy soils, Cannubi is often one of the first vineyard crus in the Barolo appellation to ripen. Fruit reached maturity even faster in the hot 2012 vintage. This can be difficult for the delicate Nebbiolo grape to handle, but this wine has evidently been guided by an expert farmer's hand. Its appearance is thick and darkly concentrated, and the aromas are pronounced but balanced. Dark cherry and blackberry segue to spice, tar, tobacco and black licorice.

Made in small production numbers, the 2011 Barolo Cannubi is a vibrant and bright Nebbiolo with a robust delivery of dark primary fruit. The bouquet offers rich notes of mulberry, cassis and wild strawberry. Spice, tar and licorice fill in at the rear. The wine glides smoothly over the palate with long intensity. This Barolo ages in large oak casks for three years. Only 1,272 bottles were produced.