Barale Fratelli, Barolo DOCG (Piedmont, Italy) 2015

 This excellent Bussia is dark in both appearance and tone of fruit, yet manages to seem open in terms of flavors and generous in overall profile.  This impressive accomplishment stems from modest use of oak that bespeaks respect for the fruit among the winemaking team, which was successful not only in leaving center stage for the fruit, but also in allowing floral and savory accents to express themselves.  There’s sufficient tannin in this for years of positive development, but they assert themselves late in the sensory sequence, resulting in a long, symmetrical finish.  Great work evidenced here both in the vineyard and cellar.