Vietti's 2005 Barolo Rocche is creamy, rich and voluptuous, with the classic sense of Rocche silkiness that is such a signature of this steep, hillside Castiglione Falletto site. Layered and inviting, the 2005 possesses striking nuance throughout, even if its a bit darker and more brooding than many other vintages. The high acidity of the year is felt, especially on the finish.

– vinous.com, July 2016

Offers Christmas pudding, currant and other dried fruit. Full-bodied, with amazing concentration of ripe fruit and chewy tannins. Yet it's all in balance. Monumental. Best after 2014. 300 cases made.

– Wine Spectator, July 2009

The 2005 Barolo Rocche is the most finely detailed and nuanced of these 2005 Barolos. The wine reveals spectacular richness and clarity as layers of sweet perfumed fruit, menthol and spices emerge from the glass. The Rocche is an especially complex, multi-dimensional wine with tons of fruit and simply incredible balance. While this is easily one of the finest Barolos in 2005, the wine also appears to need at least a few years of bottle age. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2035.

Vietti has long been an elite, reference-point producer in Piedmont but in recent years brothers-in-law Luca Currado and Mario Cordero have taken major steps to further elevate the quality of their wines across the board. My tasting with Luca Currado encompassed 20-plus Barolos covering vintages 2005 through 2008, including multiple parcels the estate uses for its multi-vineyard Barolo Castiglione. All of the wines were potentially outstanding and some will doubtless turn out to be profound. Vietti fans have much to look forward to in coming years, the biggest decision here will be making choices among a large number of truly special wines. For starters, the 2005s aren’t too far behind the spectacular 2004s. Unfortunately there will be no Barolo Riserva Villero as the vineyard was damaged by hail. The Barolos are fermented in stainless steel, then racked into French oak barriques for the malolactic fermentations. The wines are then moved into Slavonian oak casks where they complete their aging. Over the last few years Currado has gradually lengthened maceration times and taken a more moderate approach to French oak, while limiting yields dramatically, all of which has resulted in an extremely consistent set of Barolos that are easily among the region’s finest. As an aside, long-time visitors to the property will be happy to learn that a much needed renovation to the tasting room is complete. The new facility is strikingly beautiful. (Antonio Galloni)

– The Wine Advocate#182, April 2009

Good deep red. Musky, wild aromas of redcurrant, cherry and game. Silky on entry, then concentrated and subtly sweet in the middle, with an element of dried flowers contributing to the impression of lift. A classy, savory wine that's not at all overly sweet. There's something Burgundian about the wine's texture and flavor complexity but these serious, toothcoating tannins are strictly nebbiolo. Vietti did not make a 2005 Villero due to hail.

– vinous.com, November 2009