1996 Barolo
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Tasting notes
The 1996 Barolo should prove to be an uncommon value for a sensational generic Barolo. It offers road tar, rose petal, tobacco, woodsy spices, and cherry fruit aromas that jump from the glass of this evolved, gorgeously proportioned, full-bodied effort. The dark ruby color is followed by a sweet, expansive, hedonistic wine that offers a lot of pleasure. Complex and mouth-filling, it is ready to drink. Anticipated maturity: now-2012. 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
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Medium orange-tinged red. Somewhat sauvage aromas of leather, smoked meat and earth. Shows decent density but comes across as a bit rigid, even hard-edged. Finishes with fairly tough, mouth-coating tannins.