The 2012 Barolo Perno Vigna Cappella di S. Stefano offers a truly beautiful and elegant interpretation from Monforte d'Alba. The wine sees 21 days of skin maceration, and the aging phase takes the wine through three years in oak and a six-month resting phase in cement eggs. Generally speaking, to my palate the 2012 vintage can often lack detailing and depth. But not this wine. It stands apart for its intensity and aromatic precision. The bouquet offers dark fruit, spice, licorice and smoky tar.