Luciano Sandrone, Barolo Le Vigne ’Sibi et Paucis’ 2011 1.5l

From a hot and dry vintage that saw dusty winds blowing up through the Mediterranean and spreading particles of sand from Africa, this wine shows open-knit appeal with loose texture and lots of dark fruit intensity. The Luciano Sandrone 2011 Barolo Le Vigne Sibi et Paucis pours from the bottle with rich and velvety intensity, followed by dried cherry, blackberry, spice, leather and tar. I tasted the 2009 vintage before this and am now focused on the 2011, so I wonder if perhaps the 2010 vintage is being held back even longer at the winery in their special cellar built for these precious late-release wines. Drink from 2021-2040. Tasted by Monica Larner in June 2021.