The 2016 Barolo Riserva San Pietro opens to a medium saturation with dark ruby and garnet. This Nebbiolo from the village of Barolo offers some balsam notes that are rounded off in this case by dry tobacco and pressed roses. The tannins are dry, but the wine maintains pretty silkiness throughout. Like the other Riserva releases from this estate, production is 3,070 bottles and 127 magnums.

Drawing its fruit from the village of Barolo, the 2015 Barolo Riserva San Pietro shows a darker garnet color and has already lost some of the shiny gloss that you see in young Nebbiolo. Sporting a more austere and sultry personality, the wine opens to delicate fruit tones of cassis and dried plum. There are background notes of spice, tar and tilled earth as well. This is a steady and complete package with tannins that are for the most part integrated, or likewise headed toward integration.

The San Pietro cru delivers dark, structured fruit with an immediate or accessible approach. This is especially true with the 2011 Barolo Riserva San Pietro that was born in a very warm growing season. The bouquet is redolent of ripe fruit, plum, blackberry and cassis. That ripe primary fruit is enhanced by savory tones of spice and grilled herb. The tannins are well integrated and velvety in texture. Bottle production is 3,075 units strong, with 127 magnums.

The 2010 Barolo Riserva San Pietro is a dark and brooding Nebbiolo. This is a sophisticated expression with a wide range of aromas that spans from dried blackberry to spice, tar, licorice and dried garden herb. Like the other Barolos from this classic vintage, this expressive wine delivers both power and elegance in generous supply.

Claudio Viberti’s 2007 Barolo Riserva San Pietro shows immediate aged tones and cured meat and some grittiness. Gas petrol – lots of petrol – and road pavement also emerge. It has nice intensity. No toasted oak is used, although there’s enough wood spice at the back to add structure. Drink: 2015-2025. Importer: Opici Wines; www.opiciwines.com