Gagliasso Mario, Barolo DOCG (Piedmont, Italy) 2016

 This house makes ripe, fleshy, flamboyant Barolo from this cru as well as Torriglione, the latter of which is also the source for occasionally astonishing releases of Riserva in high acid vintages such as 2006 and 2010.  In 2016, I slightly preferred this Rocche dell’Annunziata, which is a bit fresher and more restrained, or at least restrained for Gagliasso.  Light floral and spice aromas get this off to a fine start, followed by dark cherry fruit notes with balsamic and liqueur undertones.   Plenty of tannins to help this age, but swaddled in fruit as they are, they won’t deter most tasters from cracking into this early on.