2017 Barolo Bricco Viole

The labels used in this flight of Barolo are very intuitive, as the shade of orange used in the printing grows darker to correspond with the tasting order of increased structure and concentration. A release of about 6,000 bottles, the M. Marengo 2017 Barolo Bricco delle Viole is presented in a medium-orange color, telling you it is a degree lighter than the Brunate but a degree heavier than the classic Barolo. The wine shows wild berry fruit, sour cherry, dried violet and lilac, with dried licorice root and aniseed. You'll notice the tannins, especially if this wine is tasted too young, so give it time.

The 2017 Barolo Bricco delle Viole is a powerful, driving wine. All the signatures of this site are amplified in 2017. There is plenty of that distinctive red berry fruit but the tannins are also pretty imposing. It will be interesting to see where this goes.