The Giovanni Viberti 2017 Barolo Riserva Bricco delle Viole is very medicinal on the nose with dried mint, eucalyptus and balsam herb. It's a little too much, and I'm not surprised, given the very dry and hot conditions of this growing season. There is cherry cola, black plum and spice, but overall, the bouquet lacks the greater depth and dimension of a cooler vintage. This is a production of 3,026 bottles and 126 magnums.

With 3,070 bottles and 127 magnums made, the Giovanni Viberti 2016 Barolo Riserva Bricco delle Viole is an exceptional wine with a most unique bouquet that is alive with blue flower, balsam herb, mint and cola. I just love it, although I recognize that not everyone is as crazy about those medicinal nuances as I am. The wine is vertical and bright, with aromas that come blasting off the bouquet. The wine's structure is fine and silky. This is a keeper.

This wine, with fruit from the village of Barolo, shows lots of fun aromas of exotic spice and clove that are delivered in a measured and elegant manner. Those savory characteristics come from the fruit and the age of the wine and not necessarily from the oak. The Giovanni Viberti 2015 Barolo Riserva Bricco delle Viole shows a lot of verve and character, and the closer you inspect this vintage, the more you are aware of crushed rose, dried violet and essence of truffle. It is an offbeat Barolo for sure but quite interesting nonetheless.

The 2011 Barolo Riserva Bricco delle Viole opens to a very tangy bouquet with notes of medicinal and balsam herb. Those buoyant herbal notes are very prominent and specific. Nebbiolo tends to go in this direction when aged. Released now, seven years after the harvest, this wine reveals tertiary aromas of licorice, cola and rosemary sprig. There is a touch of bitterness on the close. This vintage drinks nicely right now, but there's not enough primary fruit to carry it over the long haul. Some 3,075 bottles and 127 magnums were released.

The 2010 Barolo Riserva Bricco delle Viole opens to immediate opulence and depth. There is a spicy characteristic to the bouquet with dried potpourri, violets, cinnamon and nutmeg. These nuanced tones give the wine a delicate and elegant approach. Don't underestimate the power of the mouthfeel that is driven by solid tannins and tight texture.