The 2001 Barolo Bricco Fiasco is one of the most impressive wines in this ten-year retrospective of the 2001 Baroli. The Bricco Fiasco remains vibrant, fresh and beautifully delineated from start to finish. Bright flowers, ripe red cherries, mint and iron flow onto the palate in this gorgeous, totally impeccable Barolo. The 2001 doesn’t taste or feel that much different than it did as a young wine. There is plenty of energy and focus for the 2001 to make it to its 20th birthday. If opened today the wine needs at least a few hours of air for the tannins to soften. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2023. One of the major goals of the modern school of Barolo was to make wines that were approacchable young, but that could also age. In my opinion there are three producers who consistently achieved that goal at a high level; Luciano Sandrone, Elio Altare and Luigi Scavino of Azelia. Of these growers, Scavino is the least well known, and because of that, his wines remain favorably priced. In case readers are wondering, I don’t place Luigi Scavino’s cousin Enrico in the same category only because his wines never strike me as being approachable young. Both of the Azelia Baroli were aged in French oak barrels, 25% new. Importers: Michael Skurnik Wines, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300; Robert Houde Wines, Elk Grove Village, IL; tel. (847) 430-3887, Giuliana Imports, Denver, CO; tel. (303) 547-6343, Epic Wines, Santa Cruz, CA; tel. (800) 322-3742, Selected Brands, Deerfield Beach, FL; tel. (954) 428-0019

As the 2001 Barolo Bricco Fiasco is poured, notes of licorice and menthol jump out of the glass. Showing a darker color than the normale, this sensual Barolo is weighty and rich, with excellent concentration and a voluptuous mouthfeel in its generous expression of ripe dark fruit, cherries in liqueur and toasted oak flavors. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2016. Luigi Scavino may be less well known than some of his more famous neighbors, but make no mistake about it, the wines from Scavino’s estate, Azelia, can hold their own with the very best of the region. The wines combine power and elegance with a level of virtuosity matched by few in the region. Although the wines show much concentration and oak influence, there can be no doubt that the overall balance and sense of proportion of these wines is excellent. “My dream is to make a wine that is great today, but that will be even better in 10 years and in 20 years,” says Scavino. Speaking of his 2001s, Scavino says, “I prefer 2001 to 2000, it was a vintage with less heat, so the wines are fresher and more typical?more ‘Piedmontese’ if you will.”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

A soft and ripe red with plum and berry character and just a hint of meat. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and a long finish. Best after 2008. 1,020 cases made, 680 cases imported.??–JS??Region: Italy / Piedmont / Barolo Select to Add