Cascina Bruciata, Barolo (Piedmont, Italy) 2008

 This producer turns out superb Riserva wines, but this bottling demonstrates great skill with a more conventional ageing regimen as well.  The fruit is very ripe but just short of stewed in character, with predominantly red tones but some suggestions of black fruit around the edges, which are tinged with oak that is subtle and very well tuned to the weight and energy of the fruit.