The Cascina Adelaide 2016 Barolo Riserva Per Elen is immediately spicy and dark in character. This full-bodied approach not only underlines the wine's Riserva status but it also speaks to the more elaborate style of winemaking practiced at this winery in the recent past. Newer releases (like the various 2018 Barolos tasted in this report) are characterized by finesse and grace. This 2016 Riserva has more sweet spice and toast from oak aging along with dark fruit and blackcurrant. The wine has a black label and a pinch of red meant to symbolize the black hair and lipstick of Elen, the wife of estate founder Amabile. A mere 1,000 bottles were made.

The Cascina Adelaide 2015 Barolo Riserva Per Elen shows lots of dark concentration and fruit weight with dried blackberry and plum. The wine offers earthy notes as well, with a hint of truffle essence or rosemary. The 2015 vintage is distinguished by its richness and exuberant fruit, and you get both those qualities here. They are delivered in an upfront and accessible manner, giving this wine the flexibility to be enjoyed pretty soon, or set up for longer cellar aging.

Showing some tertiary definition with cola, burnt embers, licorice and dried fruit, the Cascina Adelaide 2014 Barolo Riserva Per Elen represents a small release of only 2,500 bottles. This vintage produced slender wines because of cool temperatures and above average rainfall. It is a little monotone in character, with fine-grained tannins that add some texture or a tactile response on the palate, but I look forward to the upcoming 2015 and 2016 vintages.

The Cascina Adelaide 2012 Barolo Riserva Per Elen is a direct and accessible wine that can be consumed immediately. It offers soft fruit and spice that are evenly intermingled and presented as a united front. That extra year of aging has awarded this wine more time to better integrate. Only 1,500 bottles were made.

The 2003 Barolo Riserva Per Elen is a soft, open Barolo made in an accessible fruit-driven style with pretty red cherries, leather, licorice and spices. The wine offers excellent balance and well-integrated tannins as sweet notes linger on the finish. This medium-bodied Barolo is an excellent choice for near-term drinking but doesn’t appear to be built for extended cellaring. Importer: Tesori Wines, San Francisco, CA; tel. (310) 455-9463