Schiavenza Schiavenza Barolo del comune di Serralunga d'Alba 2021 750ml

Aromas of roses, violets, blue fruit and some earthy tile notes. The palate is medium- to full-bodied with refined tannins and a very warm, cozy, enveloping core of pretty fruit that’s persistent. Best ever from here. A joy to taste now, but better in a couple of years.

Some grilled meat with some flowers and berry aromas that follow through to a full body with velvety tannins and a juicy finish. Orange blossom. Chewy at the end. Very well done. Needs three or four years. Better after 2026. (James Suckling)

There’s a menthol cast to the cherry and raspberry fruit in this red, all backed by a line of stiff, compact tannins. Nonetheless, the finish on this is extremely long, with the fruit and savory essence persisting alongside a mineral hint. Best from 2029 through 2046. 1,250 cases made, 333 cases imported.

A muscular red marked by forthcoming aromas and flavors of vanilla, tar, resin, cherry, plum and spices. Shows burly tannins that quickly take hold, ending on the chewy side. Best from 2026 through 2040. 1,500 cases made, 417 cases imported. (Bruce Sanderson)

The 2019 Barolo del Comune di Serralunga d’Alba is strong in terms of bouquet with an immediate whiff of toasted oak or cedarwood that overlaps with the more delicate nuances of Nebbiolo. Those spicy notes are played up in a vintage that tends to offer more concentration and fruit richness naturally. The oak still needs time to integrate, and the tannins are on the dry side. I also need to point out the high 15% alcohol content. This is a production of 17,000 bottles.