The dark ruby-colored 1998 Barolo is a tough-textured, backward effort showing a certain austerity along with notes of minerals, earth, pepper, and truffles. Red fruit notes emerge as the wine sits in the glass, but this is a decidedly stern, backward, atypical 1998. Anticipated maturity: 2006-2018. Importer: Paterno Imports, Lake Bluff, IL; tel. (847) 604-8900

Plum skins, with hints of fresh mushroom. Full-bodied, with raisin and spices and some berries. Balanced and chewy. Lovely.--1998 Piedmont blind retrospective (2008). Drink now. 7,200 cases made, 2,900 cases imported.??–JS??Region: Italy / Piedmont / Barolo Select to Add