Armando Parusso, Barolo (Piedmont, Italy) 2012

This is a rather wild but nevertheless thoroughly exciting wine on the basis of its exceptional expressiveness and power.  The aromas show balsamic notes as well as floral tones and a mushroomy character that also shows on the palate.  Already rather developed for a Barolo from the 2012 vintage, this doesn’t seem likely to end up as one of the more long-lived examples from the year, but it is already so developed and delicious that there’s really no reason not to consume it with pleasure over the next five years.  A remarkable wine for a straight Barolo bottling with no cru designation.