Stroppiana Oreste, Barolo (Piedmont, Italy) 2010

I’ve had my eye on this producer for several years, as the quality of the wines has been impressive and consistently improving.  This terrific wine provides final confirmation of potential at this house for actual greatness, as it shows a big, billowing, super-sexy bouquet and set of flavors that show even more savory than fruity character.  Nevertheless, the balance and strength of the fruit is what enables this wine to seem coherent and natural in the presence of all of those savory dramatics.