Crafted from parcels in the Serralunga d’Alba crus of Briccolina, Le Turne, Broglio and Collaretto, plus a small percentage of a recently purchased vineyard in Parussi within Castiglione Falletto. The wine is aged in large Slavonian oak casks for 24 months. It's an intriguing synthesis of the ethereal and the earthy; fragrant peonies and crushed raspberry meet red liquorice, iron and brick. On the palate, tangy pomegranate is framed by tacky, tactile tannins and succulent acidity.

The 2013 Barolo is elegant and streamlined. This vintage is a bit tighter, more compact and better suited to medium or long-term cellar aging. You feel that positive nervous energy locked with the fruit on display here. Pressed cherry and spice are followed by balsam herb and fragrant rose hip. The wine shows cooling and smooth intensity. Some 62,000 bottles were produced.

Black cherries, tar, hints of asphalt, and licorice all emerge from the 2013 Barolo Serralunga D Alba, a more serious, structured, and age-worthy offering than the Langhe release. Aged 30 months in oak, followed by a year in bottle before release, give it a few years in the cellar and enjoy over the following decade or more.

Serralunga d’Alba. Tasted blind. Concentrated ruby with bright orange tinges. Locked nose with a medicinal hint. Really slow to open up on the palate too. More savoury than fruity at this stage. Fantastic chewy tannins, but not yet open. (WS)

Serralunga d'Alba. Just mid ruby with the beginning of orange. Brooding nose of red fruit with a minerally, liquorice edge. Beautiful lightness on the palate and then muscular but fine, chewy tannins. Proper Serralunga firmness on the finish. A tiny bit austere yet long and truly pretty. (WS)