Marchesi di Barolo has harnessed the best attributes of the vintage to make the 2010 Barolo Riserva. The wine offers elegance and grace, but it also shows strong determination to push it forward over the palate. It opens to a bright garnet color with aromas of dried berry, licorice, campfire smoke and balsam herb. Past editions are perhaps more accessible in character, but this wine is more austere instead. It should evolve slowly over the next ten years.

Strong aromas of camphor and menthol lead off, while plum, cherry, earth and tar flavors are locked in the grip of massive and astringent tannins. Seems shut down for now. Best from 2022 through 2043.

Marchesi di Barolo's 2010 Barolo Riserva is a powerful, virile wine. Dark cherry, cloves, leather, menthol and licorice all flesh out in this brooding, ample Barolo. Despite its notable concentration, the 2010 is starting to show the first signs of tertiary evolution. For that reason, I would prefer to drink it sooner rather than later.