Corino Barolo Vigna Giachini 2000

The explosive 1997 Barolo, Giachini Veccia Vigne is similarly-styled, with additional levels of glycerin and flavor. The plum/garnet color is accompanied by an awesomely layered texture, great purity, abundant quantities of fruit, and complex aromatics as well as flavors. It should drink well over the next 14-15 years.

A Piedmont modernist, Corino does not use any new oak for his generic Barolo, but approximately 40% new French barriques are utilized for his single vineyard offerings. 1997 marks the debut vintage for a limited production, old vine (40-65 year old Nebbiolo) cuvée from the Giachini vineyard. The Veccia Vigne comes from a tiny parcel that sits adjacent and to the east of the famed Rocche cru. Even in structured vintages Corino's wines possess a lushness as well as a Pomerol-like fatness and succulence. Readers can imagine just how flashy and appealing his 1997s have turned out.

The 2000 Barolo Giachini is close to or fully mature. Tobacco, earthiness, cedar, truffles and autumn leaves suggest the wine is best enjoyed sooner rather than later. Anticipated maturity: 2011andndash;2014.

The 2000 Barolo Giachini, from the firmandrsquo;s home vineyard, is the best of the single-vineyard bottlings, sweeter and fuller in aroma, larger-framed and more supple in flavor, sizable but elegant on its lengthy finish.

Corino is one of the increasing number of Piedmontese producers utilizing rotary fermenters. With respect to wood cooperage, approximately 40% new oak casks are employed for the single vineyards wines. His offerings tend to be velvety and forward, even in the classic vintages. Corino's 1995 single vineyard offerings are complex, aromatic, developed, and forward wines. The medium ruby-colored 1995 Barolo Giachini exhibits a knock-out nose of sweet, cinnamon, allspice, coffee, black fruits, and toast. An expansive, ripe, medium to full-bodied, seductive effort, it is not huge, but complex and disarming. Comsume it over the next 5-6 years.

Very warm, almost exotic wine with leather, plum and light prune character. Full-bodied, with soft and caressing tannins and a long, ripe fruit and vanilla aftertaste. Should come together nicely. Needs some time. Best after 2007.

Loads of blackberry, cedar and tobacco on the nose here. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a long, caressing finish. Serious wine here. Best after 2008.