Aurelio Settimo, Barolo DOCG (Piedmont, Italy) 2016

 This is the second-best wine I tasted blind from the highly regarded cru of Rocche dell’Annunziata, and surely the best value.  It is a conspicuously big, rich wine in the context of the 2016 vintage, with very ripe fruit that packs a very prodigious punch, but shows no heat in the finish.  There’s also quite a bit of overt wood at this point in the wine’s development, but the concentrated fruit will surely be up to the task of absorbing and integrating the oak notes in time.  Although one of the virtues of the 2016s from Barolo is their elegance and early approachability, this is an exception to the rule, requiring a good five years from now to really hit its stride.  But with that caveat noted, this is a complete wine that represents a sure bet for those with decent storage conditions and adequate patience.