Marcarini, Barolo Brunate, 2001

Brunate is one of Barolo's grand crus, and the Marcarini family has farmed a substantial chunk of it for generations from their base in La Morra. This is the wine that made their name: traditionally made Nebbiolo aged two years in large Slavonian oak casks, built to reward the cellar. The 2001 vintage is one of the modern greats in Barolo, a classic, structured year that stands shoulder to shoulder with 2010. At roughly twenty-five years on, a well-kept bottle is now fully in its stride, resolved and singing while holding onto the freshness that made it ageworthy. Decant it, or simply pour and enjoy a mature Barolo doing exactly what it was meant to do.