2013 La Spinetta, Barolo, Campe

This wine was released last year, but I never had the opportunity to taste it back then. Giorgio Rivetti was kind enough to open a bottle of the beautiful 2013 Barolo Campè Vürsù so that I could fill in the void in the database. This is an impactful and exceptional wine from a classic vintage. The fruit has had time to integrate, and the aromas appear wrinkle-free today with wild berry that segues directly to spice, tar and ash. These are beautiful results.

La Spinetta's 2013 Barolo Campè is bright, intense and driven, with beams of acidity and tannin that give the wine its shape. In 2013, the Campè offers a good bit of tension and overall structure that works to balance the overt fruit that is such a Spinetta signature. Even so, the palate feel is one of creaminess and supple texture, which makes this a rare 2013 that will drink well with minimal cellaring. Sweet red cherry, plum, spice, menthol, rose petal and anise meld into the super-expressive finish. This is another impressive Barolo from La Spinetta. The 2013 was aged in a combination of cask, new French oak and used French oak.

Grinzane Cavour. Tasted blind. Developing mid ruby with orange rim. Lifted cherry, raspberry notes with hints of new oak, methinks. Lots of drying tannins and hugely aromatic fruit. Almost a little artificial and unbalanced. (WS)