The 2005 Barolo Mariondino-Bussia -Le Coste-Mosconi 35a Vendemmia is an elegant, harmonious offering. Made in a weightless, ethereal style, the wine reveals layers of plums, figs, new leather, menthol, spices and herbs. This medium-bodied Barolo offers outstanding length and a refined, finessed finish that makes it fairly accessible even at this young age. The wine doesn’t appear to have the stuffing to be a long-term ager, but it should offer highly pleasurable drinking to age 15 or so. In 2005 Parusso waited to harvest all of his fruit until after the October rains had passed. According to Parusso, the tannins were actually riper in 2005 than 2004. This 2005 Barolo is somewhat of a departure for Parusso, as he blended the juice from all of his single-vineyards into one wine prior to bottling, a decision he says was made in order to deliver a high-quality wine to the consumer at a fair price in light of today’s economic climate. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2020. Importer: Montecastelli Selections, New York, NY; tel. (212) 414-4898