Monti’s Bussia Barolo, from the Monforte d’Alba subzone, opens with an aged, browning color and aromas of apples, wild berries and citrus. The wine shows a lean, thin quality in the mouth. ——M.L.(12/1/2010)—— 85

Strong oak influence here, with toast, vanilla and scorched wood dominating the nose at this point. But given the wine’s core of cherry fruit, this should come into better balance within a couple of years. Finishes tart, with soft tannins, a short-term ager for the non-oak averse. ——J.C.(11/15/2004)—— 87