2006 Barolo

Oberto’s 2006 Barolo is a serious wine at this level. There is a spiciness to the fruit I find very attractive. With time in the glass the aromas and flavors gain definition, caressing the palate all the way through to the classy finish. This is a jewel of a wine and a standout among its peers in 2006. Oberto makes their entry-level Barolo from a combination of higher-altitude plots in La Morra ranging from 390-410 meters. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022. This is a strong set of 2006 Barolos from father and son team Andrea and Fabio Oberto. I had a chance to taste the 2006s next to the estate’s 2005s, and it is pretty clear the 2006s possess an extra dimension of generosity over their older brethren that, among other things, results in better integration of the oak. The 2006 Barolos were vinified in steel for roughly 10-12 days, with the exception of the Brunate, which was vinified in oak. The malos took place in a heated cellar. The single-vineyard Barolos were subsequently aged in a combination of barrel and cask (30% cask, 35% new barrique, 35% once-used barrique). The estate’s 2007s, which I tasted from barrel are highly promising as well. Various American importers, including: Chambers & Chambers, San Francisco, CA; tel. (415) 642-5500; Vinvino Wine Co., Inc., New York, NY; tel. (212) 463-7880, Worldwide Cellars, Minneapolis, MN; tel. (612) 378-0316

Good full red. Complex nose melds raspberry, coffee and sexy smoky oak, lifted by some floral high tones. Rich, sweet and creamy, with impressive fat to the red fruit flavors. Not the last word in complexity but this plush, seamless wine is classy and satisfying for normale