A muscular, dark plum-colored Barolo, Grimaldi's 1997 offers classic aromatics of melted road tar, rose petals, new saddle leather, beef blood, and kirsch liqueur. Impressively endowed, with moderately high tannin, this powerful, thick, juicy effort is a definitive Barolo. An impressive effort from this producer (a former policeman from the village of Barolo), whose debut vintage was 1996, it needs 4-5 years of cellaring, and should keep for two decades. 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

Extremely ripe fruit, combined with heavily toasted oak on the nose. Full-bodied, with a thick core of extremely ripe fruit flavors and big, silky tannins. Long, long finish. Tight and compacted. Best after 2007. 375 cases made.??–JS??Region: Italy / Piedmont / Barolo Select to Add