Pecchenino, Barolo (Piedmont, Italy) 2009

This is one of the most expressive and interesting of the 2009 Borolo bottlings, showing only moderate weight but superb intricacy–especially in aromatic terms.  Almost intensely floral, it also shows cardamom and menthol and balsamic topnotes.  The flavors are ripe and the texture is smooth, with a lovely sweet impression to the fruit that is enhanced by modest oak and very fine-grained tannins.