Paolo ScavinoBarolo Prapó 2015

Aromas of incense, rose, iris and eucalyptus carry the nose of this compelling wine. The full-bodied palate is smooth and enveloping, delivering juicy black cherry, pomegranate, licorice, tobacco and clove. It has a fantastic combination of structure and finesse that shows the power of Serralunga and the elegance that is the hallmark of this estate. Hold for even more complexity.

Another new wine in this range, the 2015 Barolo Prapò is superb. Dark and powerful, with tons of Serralunga muscle, the Prapò captures the purest essence of this site in spades. Black cherry, iron, sage, plum, leather, spice and menthol race out of the glass as this virile, explosive Barolo shows off its arrestingly beautiful personality. Vivid and deep in the glass, the 2015 has so much to offer. Even in the early going, it is positively gorgeous.

This is also a new wine, coming from less than a hectare in the Prapò vineyards, from which only five producers draw their fruit. It´s a beautiful plot at about 1,000 feet in altitude and with a full southern exposure, producing some very meaty fruit with a high phenolic presence, as the color is darker and there is more perfume. The 2015 Barolo Prapò is a distinctive vintage of a wine that is one to watch, for sure. The vineyard makes the difference, with brown and orange sandy soils, along with marlstone and veins of soils more typical of the area. The Scavino family bought this plot in 2008 and let the land rest for two years before they replanted. The goal, they said, was to steer away from more productive clones in favor of those that wouldn´t take away too much from the quality. They took wood from the mothership vineyards in Bricco Ambrogio for this experiment, grafting them onto the rootstocks they carefully selected. The result is a soft and delicate Barolo with a lot of personality to go along with its firmness and power. This is an easy cru to recognize. Enrico Scavino said they could have waited longer for this experimental harvest, but they felt the time was right, explaining that "this work is all about feelings and instincts."

Glazed cherries, orange peel, citrus, dried cranberries and tulips. A grainy and very refined palate follows, which rolls irresistibly through taut cherries and bright acidity. Chewy and long on the finish.

A ripe, fleshy version, offering eucalyptus, mint, cherry and subtle clove flavors. Dense, ending with dusty tannins that offset the sweet, ripe fruit.