Pecchenino, Barolo (Piedmont, Italy) 2011

This producer was most famous for years for excellent renderings of Dolcetto from the Dogliani district, but a move into Barolo with purchases of a few choice vineyard sites and a small cellar are yielding clearly outstanding wines — and doing so every single vintage.  This shows a little spicy oak, which helps to frame the rich fruit.  Oak spice shows up again in the finish, but there are also savory notes that undergird the fruit flavors, providing a layered impression throughout the sensory experience.  A beautiful wine that will provide great pleasure for many years.  The San Giuseppe bottling is also quite good in 2011, but this certainly seems like the one to buy if offered a choice.