There are just 3,300 bottles (one cask and one tonneau) of the 2015 Barolo Rocche dell'Annunziata to go around. Powerful and ample, yet also wonderfully translucent, the 2015 shows plenty of Rocche character. The tonneau adds a bit of new oak influence that the wine doesn't really need, but that won't be an issue starting in 2018, when production goes up in conjunction with Oberto taking back parcels that his family previously leased to Ratti. "I can do much better than this," adds Oberto. The 2015 spent 27 days on the skins, including two weeks of post fermentation maceration, followed by 25 months in oak.

La Morra. Tasted blind. Mid to deep ruby with orange tinges. A little stalky and closed on the nose. The round and open-knit fruit is nicely contrasted by tangy acidity. Supple finish with good depth of fruit and soft, grainy tannins. Very long, perfumed finish. (WS)