The 2008 Barolo Pi Vigne is an absolutely beautiful wine graced with expressive dark red fruit, flowers and spices. It shows gorgeous purity and fabulous overall balance. Let’s see how the Pi Vigne goes into bottle, but right now, this barrel sample is impressive. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2018. The Grasso Baroli have always been delicious, but over the last 2-3 vintages quality seems to have taken a major jump up, which is great news for lovers of these wines. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including: de Grazia Imports; tel. (417) 732-4200; Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300, Estate Wines Ltd., San Rafael, CA; tel. (415) 492-9411, Robert Houde Wines, Elk Grove Village, IL; tel. (847) 430-3887

The 2007 Barolo Pi Vigne is an attractive entry-level bottling with excellent suppleness in its dark fruit and an easygoing personality well suited to near-term enjoyment. Flowers, chocolate and sweet French oak linger on the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2017. This set of reviews includes several 2007 Baroli that Grasso tends to bottle later than his two flagships Bricco Manzoni and Bricco Luciani. 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, Robert Houde Wines, Bensenville IL; (630) 422-1119

Federico Grasso’s 2005 Pi Vigne is the entry-level Barolo made from the estate’s younger vines. Super-ripe red cherries, flowers and menthol emerge from this surprisingly firm, concentrated Barolo. The wine reveals terrific length although some rough edges linger on the finish. Another year or so of bottle age should help the Pi Vigne come around nicely. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300, Vin Divino, Chicago, IL; tel. (773) 334-6700, and Estate Wines, Ltd., San Rafael, CA; tel. (415) 492-9411