2015 Barolo Vigna Elena Riserva
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The 2015 Barolo Riserva Ravera Vigna Elena (with 4,000 bottles made) is coming along beautifully with lots of dark fruit packed tight within and a well-developed savory side, with leather, tar and cured tobacco. Now, with the benefit of distance, we can see that the 2015 vintage has not aged evenly across the board, as some samples already show faded fruit. To be clear, that is absolutely not the case here. In fact, this Riserva sets the bar very high, thanks to its structure and length. Perhaps what it lacks is the extra acidity to push it along even further into the future.
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Average Score
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
Walter Speller, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
The 2015 Barolo Riserva Vigna Elena displays the ripeness and concentration of the vintage, with cassis, cinnamon, leather, and balsamic. The palate has notes of cherry pit, black tea, and tar. Rich and powerfully structured, the Riserva warrants another year or so in cellar and will be prime for enjoyment 2022-2040.
Novello. 100% Rosè. Lustrous mid ruby with orange tinges. Deep nose of cherry and raspberry with a pinch of soy sauce. Lots of succulent cherry fruit lined with fine, polished tannins. Fantastic length and balance while the tannins deliver tactile fireworks on the finish. (WS)
The 2015 Barolo Riserva Ravera Vigna Elena is very tight - but then again, it won't be released for another two years. Intense, searing tannins Sweet red fruit, white pepper, mint, and tobacco come together in a wine that is not quite as refined as usually. This is one of the most tightly wound, classically austere Barolos readers will find in 2015, at least today. The searing tannins need time to soften, which will in turn allow the fruit to emerge more fully.