"The 2012 Barolo Riserva Falletto Vigna Le Rocche (red label) was bottled last September and has already eased into a comfortable and promising stage in its very early evolution. Bruna Giacosa tells me that this wine will be made in 2014 and 2016, so future supplies are plentiful. The jury is out on whether the wine will be produced in 2015, but Bruna tells me it is unlikely (albeit by no means confirmed at this point). Fruit selection was extreme in 2012. This is a warm vintage expression, and the wine is beautifully rich and velvety as a result. That textural richness is what stands out most. The primary fruit is bold and very well defined. There is a point of dark cherry ripeness, but it adds to the generous fiber and softness of the mouthfeel. Of the many beautiful vintages I have tasted of this wine, I suspect the 2012 might be faster in its evolution."

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"Piercing scents of truffle, rose water, macerated cherry and medicinal herbs are the hallmarks of this elegant red. Less evolved and harmonious on the palate, with a core of sweet fruit and tightly wound, dense tannins. Stays fresh and long on the extended finish. Best from 2022 through 2043. 50 cases imported."

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"Piercing scents of truffle, rose water, macerated cherry and medicinal herbs are the hallmarks of this elegant red. Less evolved and harmonious on the palate, with a core of sweet fruit and tightly wound, dense tannins. Stays fresh and long on the extended finish. Best from 2022 through 2043. 50 cases imported."

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"Here we have the venerated red label. The Bruno Giacosa 2011 Barolo Riserva Falletto Vigne Le Rocche commands attention and respect. The wine successfully, and somewhat magically, turns the tables on the overdone exuberance of the warm vintage and the natural heft that is inherent to Serralunga d'Alba. It does a great job of reining in all that power and transforming it into streamlined elegance instead. The wine opens to a dark and penetrating color and an immediately expressive bouquet. Thick layers of dark fruit, iron-rich earth, balsam herb, Darjeeling tea, dried ginger and cherry cola rise from the bouquet. The wine's Falletto signature is very strong. This is a Grande Vino with the proverbial capital G and capital V."

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"This alluring red starts out with soft rose, cherry, raspberry and menthol flavors, all harmonious, before picking up tar, tobacco and mineral elements, playing out on the long finish. This has mellowed somewhat, but the fruit never gives up, even as mouth- coating tannins emerge. Best from 2023 through 2040. From Italy.—B.S."

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"This alluring red starts out with soft rose, cherry, raspberry and menthol flavors, all harmonious, before picking up tar, tobacco and mineral elements, playing out on the long finish. This has mellowed somewhat, but the fruit never gives up, even as mouthcoating tannins emerge. Best from 2023 through 2040. 900 cases made."

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"The 2008 Barolo Riserva Le Rocche del Falletto shows more depth and up-front richness than the Falletto, but then loses much of its persistence on the mid-palate and finish. Frankly, this is a perplexing effort. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2018. It’s hard to know what to make of Bruno Giacosa’s 2008 Baroli. Over the years I have had the privilege and pleasure to drink virtually all of Giacosa’s wines from both legendary and weaker vintages all the way back to 1961. These wines don’t match anything in my previous experience."

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"Good deep red.  Redcurrant, plum, sexy brown spices, menthol, marzipan, licorice and a balsamic element on the nose; Bruna compares this wine to the supernal 2000 bottling.  The palate delivers a captivating combination of ineffable perfume and buns of steel, with strong acidity giving definition to the flavors of rose petal, exotic spices, truffle and underbrush.  Offers lovely breadth with a weightless quality.  Really echoes and vibrates on the back end, finishing with huge but sweet tannins that reach the front teeth and explosive tangy red fruits.  Should be fairly long-lived but will it have the finesse of the 2000?"

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"The 2008 Barolo Riserva Le Rocche del Falletto (aged 36 months in botte grande) is a gorgeous wine from every perspective. Its 360-degree beauty shines comes through in terms of the intensity of the bouquet and the elegance of the mouthfeel. Again, super-finely textured tannins give the wine backbone and create a supporting structure for rich fruit flavors. There-s just enough consistency here to fill the palate, yet the wine is never heavy or flat. It shows vibrant energy thanks to the natural freshness and that beautiful note of garden fresh red rose that pops up as nostalgic sign-off. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2040."

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"Amazing nose of chocolate, orange peel, plums and hazelnut. Full-bodied, with super fine tannins and a long finish. Intense with a beautiful line of fine tannins that go on for minutes. Superb. 10,000 bottles made. February 2014 release. Leave it for at least four or five years before drinking!"

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