2003 Barolo
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Tasting notes
Azelia's 2003 Barolo, a medium red, comes across as clenched and somewhat rustic. It reveals smoke, earthiness, menthol and red cherries in a powerful, deep style, with excellent length although the coarse tannins clamp down a little on the fin ish. Bottle age will help, but to a limited extent.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Azelia’s 2003 Barolo, a medium red, comes across as clenched and somewhat rustic. It reveals smoke, earthiness, menthol and red cherries in a powerful, deep style, with excellent length although the coarse tannins clamp down a little on the finish. Bottle age will help, but to a limited extent. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2013. Azelia remains a great source for relatively well-priced Barolos. In particular, the San Rocco, from a vineyard in Serralunga, is often one of the region’s top bottlings as it is again in 2003. Proprietor Luigi Scavino has a new Barolo this year, made from the Margheria vineyard, also in Serrlaunga. 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
Heady nose. Tastes quite transparent – not heavy or thick. Some sweetness on the front palate. Easy to appreciate although some quite drying tannins on the finish. Alcohol is very evident. Far from the finest Azelia Barolo I have tasted. (JR)