The 2012 Barolo Brunate is powerful and dense in the glass, but also quite expressive for such a young wine. Dark, and brooding, with fabulous mid-palate richness and depth, the 2012 packs a serious punch. Readers will find a Barolo that brings together a slightly slender, cool-climate sense of structure with good early approachability, all of which make the 2012 quite appealing even in its youth. A blast of sweet red cherry, plum, licorice, leather and spices leaves a strong and lasting impression.

Multifaceted aromas of rose, iris, leather, cranberry, truffle and the barest hint of game lead the nose. The radiant palate offers creamy strawberry, ripe red cherry, orange zest, baking spice, dried herb and tobacco alongside firm but polished tannins. Fresh acidity provides balance while a mineral vein energizes the finish. With its smooth texture, it’s already tempting but hold for even more complexity. Drink 2018–2026. Kerin O'Keefe

The 2012 Barolo Brunate remains bright red in color and is pure and spicy, with notes of licorice, bright cherries, fresh flowers, and toasted spices that lift with precision and clarity. The palate remains youthful and energetic 13 years on, with a snappy structure featuring a vibrant spine of acidity. Its tannins are refined yet still coiled with nervous tension, and it has a long-lasting mineral persistence through the finish. It’s showing very well now, but if bottles have been stored properly in cool cellars, there should be no rush here. Drink 2025-2045. The majority of the wines for this report were tasted with Marta Rinaldi at the estate in Barolo.

The 2012 Barolo Brunate was a bit closed when I tasted it. This wine's ideal drinking window is a long ways away and the bottle needs another decade of cellar aging before it starts to show its best side. The bouquet offers hints of ripe fruit with dark cherry and blackberry at the front. Those fruity tones are followed by mild tobacco, cola and grilled herb. True to the vineyard site, the Barolo Brunate offers a more profound sense of depth and structure at the back. The mouthfeel is robust and generous.