Elvio Cogno, Barolo, Bricco Pernice 2014

The 2014 Barolo Bricco Pernice is vivid, precise and flat-out stunning. Like the best wines of the year, the Bricco Pernice is going to need a bit of time to be at its very best. I find the wine's inner perfume and sweetness to be utterly beguiling. At the same time, the Bricco Pernice remains taut, classically austere and in need of cellaring.

The 2014 Barolo Ravera Bricco Pernice is full and soft with great fruit density. This is a nicely balanced wine that shows more intensity than I might have expected from this cool vintage that generally produced thinner wines in comparison. There is sweet, supple spice on the close. This elegant Barolo would go nicely with a beef and pork shank cassoulet. The wine has the fiber to age beautifully, but it will also show nicely in the medium-term, for those looking for a more accessible Barolo.