Based on Luigi Scavino’s sterling track record since 1990 the man shouldn’t need many cheerleaders. But here we are, waxing poetic on one of Barolo’s finest wines. Luigi’s plot of the San Rocco cru is truly magnificent. This is a gem of a vineyard, perfectly situated and blessed with 30+ year old vines. And Luigi has lightened his touch in the cellar, using less new French oak (like a lot of his peers) which we imagine helped to corral the drying tannins of 2003, giving the wine its rounder, sumptuous texture.
A huge Galloni score (like, 93 points) means this is one 2003 that doesn’t look to last very long on the shel, as he raved, "The Barolo San Rocco has typically been my favorite wine in the line-up and the 2003 is another winner. Made in a full-bodied, powerful style, it reveals an exciting array of dark cherries, violets, licorice, menthol and smoke, with plenty of depth as well as richness to balance its structural components. A lingering note of sweetness defines the finish of this outstanding Barolo, which is one of the more successful wines of the vintage...Azelia remains a great source for relatively well-priced Barolos. In particular, the San Rocco, from a vineyard in Serralunga, is often one of the region’s top bottlings as it is again in 2003."
Wine Spectator's Jim Suckling writes, " Shows wonderful plum and blackberry aromas, with hints of fresh porcini. Full-bodied, soft and round, with cedar, meat and berry character. Rich, generous and stylish. Best after 2010. 515 cases made."
