Guido Porro Vigna S. Caterina, Barolo DOCG, Italy 2020 Montsant with well-balanced flavors of quince

with well-balanced flavors of quince and pear and a round

sandalwood

Wonderfully tangy and vivacious throughout

smoky earth

This is a big yet balanced wine from 80-year-old Shiraz vines

Guido Porro Vigna S. Caterina, Barolo DOCG, Italy 2020 Montsant with well-balanced flavors of quinceVery expressive on the second tasting. Demur on the first. Sumptuous aromas of pickled cherry, thyme, anise and polished leather. A broad swathe of tannins, beautifully managed and so nestled into the greater whole that this is already approachable. So open knit, in fact, so much so that one does not feel guilty in breaching it now. It may be at the puppy fat stage, of course, but this is really delicious. Drink or, better, hold for a decade.