Paolo Scavino, Barolo Monvigliero, 2008

Monvigliero is effectively the grand cru of Verduno, a famously perfumed, elegant Barolo site, and Paolo Scavino, the producer who helped pioneer single-vineyard Barolo, has farmed it as its own cru since acquiring the parcel. Calcareous, pale soils and cool air drawn off the Tanaro river give this Nebbiolo soft tannins, vivid red fruit and an almost floral lift, and Monvigliero tends to drink earlier than other Barolos. The 2008 was a classic, structured vintage, and with well over a decade of age this is in a gorgeous mature window. Decant and enjoy a benchmark cru Barolo at its peak.