The 2000 Barolo Arborina is impossible to resist. Layers of dark, sensual fruit wrap around the palate effortlessly in this intense, layered Barolo. This shows more depth and richness than the straight Barolo, with just as much class. Altare's 2000 Barolo Arborina represents the height of elegance.

The 2000 Barolo Arborina, expansive and ripe in aroma with much red fruit and licorice, is fleshy, velvety, and full, continuous in its flow and shapely and solid on the close. Drink: 2005-2018. 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

Deep red-ruby, more saturated than the Brunate. Deep, brooding, very pure nose combines cherry, black plum, menthol, tobacco and smoke; distinctly liqueur-like cherry aspect. Large-scaled, powerful and long, but with more aggressive oak tannins showing here than in the Brunate. Can't quite match the Brunate for class.

Mature mid ruby with bright orange rim. Deep, multilayered nose of spice, garden herbs, cherry and iron. Subtle cherry fruit on the palate with underlying, grainy tannins. Grip and fruit concentration on the finish. Seductive yet serious. (WS)