Tenuta Rocca Barolo Vigne San Pietro, 2005

This estate claims that its Barolo wines will age "at least 18 to 20 years" if stored properly. Even though 2005 is not a great vintage, this Vigne San Pietro Barolo is doing quite well after 15 years.

Dark color shading to orange tints. Considerably darker than the much younger Nebbiolo d'Alba (2011 Cascina Chicco) beside it on the table. Beautiful Nebbiolo scents of flowers, spice and ripe red and black fruits. I suspect this wine has been aged in new oak barriques rather than the large Slavonian oak barrels traditionally used for Barolo. And the result is an attractive wine. Ripe fruit and spice on the palate. Substantial tannin and acid, but the wine is still smooth and approachable. I would not hesitate aging it another five years, but at this point, I still prefer the traditionally made Cascina Chicco Nebbiolo beside it.