Dario Stroppiana, Barolo (Piedmont, Italy) 2011

This is a seriously under-rated producer on a roll, and those who care more about the quality of their wine than the name recognition of their labels would be well-advised to look for Stroppiana Barolos.  This San Giacomo from La Morra was among the handful of most expressive and exciting of all the 2011s that I tasted, showing astonishing aromatics recalling roses, incense, cola and ripe fruit.  The flavors are very deep, and the texture quite rich, with tannins in evidence, but just barely due to the sheer richness of the wine.  Extremely impressive.