Mario Gagliasso, Barolo (Piedmont, Italy) 2015

 Whether from this cru or Torriglione (a little cru located just below the winery), Gagliasso seems to turn out ripe, soft and sexy wines in almost every other vintage.  That’s not usually a profile that does so well in hot, dry years, and there is indeed a bit of alcoholic heat in the finish of this, but the abundant flavors and succulent, silky texture are so overwhelmingly alluring that I was already won over before the heat set in.  By the way, the Torriglione was just too hot for me to recommend in 2015, but I tasted this three times, and in every instance, quickly forgave for its sole transgression.