2011 Barbaresco Sori Paitin Riserva

Neive. Mid ruby with orange tinges. A little green on the nose with a hint of shoe polish. Rather astringent and a little dried out on the palate and with not enough fruit to balance the tannins. (WS)

The 2011 Barbaresco Sorì Paitin Vigne Vecchie is just as stunning as it has always been. A wine of extraordinary purity, the 2011 is laced with rose petals, spices, mint, sweet red berries. The balance of fruit, acidity and tannin is simply magnificent. At the same time, the power and breadth of Serraboella comes through in spades.

The estate's 2011 Barbaresco Sorì Paitin Vecchie Vigne is shaping up to be one of the great wines of the vintage. A large-scaled, dramatic wine, the 2011 is rich, explosive and full-bodied, yet also impeccable in its balance. Cherry, plum, rose petal, licorice and spice notes blossom in a wine endowed with stunning depth and purity. A huge, voluptuous finish rounds things out in style. Today, the 2011 is a bit less expressive than it was last year, but it remains towering just the same.