Sandrone’s 2006 Barolo Le Vigne possesses awesome balance as intricately woven layers of aromas and flavors come together in the glass. The 2006 is an especially powerful Le Vigne boasting a solid core of floral, red fruits supported by firm yet elegant tannins. This, too, shows the considerable drive and focus that is the hallmark of the vintage. The wine’s overall balance is impeccable. Le Vigne is made from parcels in Vignane (Barolo), Conterni and Ceretta (Monforte) and Merli (Novello). The wines are aged separately for a year in 500-liter barrels. The final blend is assembled, after which the wine spends an additional year in oak prior to being bottled. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2026. My visit last year with Luciano and Luca Sandrone was illuminating, as I had an opportunity to taste verticals of both of the estate’s Barolos spanning vintages 2005 through 2009, culminating with exceptional bottles of the 1990s, which I report on in this issue’s “What About Now” feature. Sandrone’s 2006 Barolos are among the unqualified successes of the 2006 harvest. The wines show more richness and density than the 2005s, but less exuberance than the 2007s, in a focused, driven style I find quite attractive. Importer: Vintus LLC, Pleasantville, NJ tel. (914) 769-3000

Black cherry, plum, tar and licorice flavors are sweet and offset the firm structure in this red, which has a fine, spicy aftertaste. There's an almost lush texture, and though this is balanced, it needs time to come together. Best from 2014 through 2030. 300 cases imported.??–BS??Region: Italy / Piedmont / Barolo Select to Add

Muted but juicy, sweet cherry fruit on the nose. Strawberry jam flavours on the palate surrounded by good acidity and ripe, silky tannins. Needs time but should develop well. Alc: 14.5%.

Le Vigne is an evolved and elegant wine with dark fruit backed by smoke, spice and toasted nut. It’s a full, ripe, plump and linear wine with a dense, succulent close and sophisticated accents of mineral and cola on the long, long finish. Overall, this Barolo is beautiful and special. ——M.L.(12/1/2010)—— 93