Paolo Scavino Barolo Bric del Fiasc 2017 (75cl, 14.5%)

A single-vineyard Barolo DOCG from Castiglione Falletto, Piedmont, bottled at 14.5% ABV in a 750ml bottle. The fruit comes from three southwest-facing plots on sandstone and limestone soils. Each cru is vinified separately in temperature-controlled stainless steel with native yeasts, with 8 to 12 days of maceration and 20 to 30 days of alcoholic fermentation. Ageing runs to 10 months in neutral French oak barrels, 12 months in large casks, 10 months in stainless steel and 10 months in bottle. The nose opens with stony graphitic earth and licorice before violets, cherry liqueur and dried flowers. Walnut and hazelnut undertones add depth. The palate is pure and focused, with dark fruit, sweet cherry, dried apricot, blood orange and cinnamon, plus balsam herb and limestone minerality. The finish is long, with fine-grained tannins, plum, spice and graphite.