Pertinace, Barbaresco (Piedmont, Italy) 2010

 Pertinace clearly got things right in 2010, as the “Marcarini” bottling (reviewed below) is also outstanding.  The Nervo shows scents of sweet, ripe, succulent fruit, and the flavors deliver these same attributes in spades.  Pure and perfectly balanced, this is remarkably open and delectable at this early stage.  There’s acidity and tannin and oak to be found here, but only if you “look” for it, as these structural components are enveloped in gorgeous fruit.