The 2009 Barolo Le Vigne impresses for its textural finesse and sheer silkiness. Sweet red berries, crushed flowers, spices and mint are all woven together nicely. There is plenty of early appeal in this mid-weight, gracious Barolo from Sandrone. The integration of fruit and tannin is simply masterful. The 2009 may start shutting down a bit in bottle, but it is likely to enjoy a fairly broad window of drinkability. I wouldn't wait too long, however.

– vinous.com, May 2013

Beautiful aromas of strawberries and cherries with hints of flowers follow through to a full body and ultra-fine tannins. Long and flavorful finish. This needs another two or three years to soften the tannins and come together. Excellent 2009.

– jamessuckling.com, January 2014

The 2009 Barolo Le Vigne shows class and pedigree with bright fruit tones carefully wrapped within the wine’s elegant texture. The purity and the intensity of the wine are exceptional, especially when compared to other Barolos from this vintage. The bouquet is polished and long, with pristine accents of spice, licorice and anise seed. Made with fruit sourced from various parcels, this wine speaks with a strong and confident tone. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2028. The winemaking team at Luciano Sandrone is responsible for some of the finest Nebbiolo-based wines available today. Importer: Vintus Wines, Pleasantville, NY; tel. (914) 769-3000

The 2009 Barolo Le Vigne shows class and pedigree with bright fruit tones carefully wrapped within the wine’s elegant texture. The purity and the intensity of the wine are exceptional, especially when compared to other Barolos from this vintage. The bouquet is polished and long, with pristine accents of spice, licorice and anise seed. Made with fruit sourced from various parcels, this wine speaks with a strong and confident tone. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2028. (Monica Larner)

– The Wine Advocate#207, June 2013

Deep, bright red. Enticing aromas of blackberry, violet, licorice and bitter chocolate. Then surprisingly round and open-knit in the mouth, offering dense, sweet flavors of red and purple berries and flowers. Distinctly silkier in the early going than the Cannubi Boschis, this finishes sweet and long, with pliant tannins. A superb showing. This was the first vintage of Le Vigne to include some Baudana fruit but Sandrone lost his source for Conterni and Ceretta di Monforte. (The splendid 2005 Le Vigne, re-released this year in limited quantities, boasts wonderfully fresh purple fruit and violet aromatics; an extract-rich texture like liquid silk; and a horizontal finish that combines outstanding energy and perfume. In my September tasting I scored it a solid 95 points: it's a remarkable example of its vintage.)

Coffee, licorice, tar and spice flavors mingle in this rich, firmly structured red. A bit reticent, with a sweet core and dense, dusty tannins on the finish. Best from 2017 through 2030. 450 cases imported.

– Wine Spectator, November 2013