A powerful wine with a tender soul. A hint of spearmint lifts this otherwise brooding nose of black cherry and earth. The palate is poised, with firm tannins helping to smooth the acidity, and combining to give an impossible pairing: a feeling of delicacy with a touch of infinite power. Nominated by Susan Hulme MW

This vineyard site is not part of the official MGA mapping; however, Gallinotto is actually the higher part of the Berri vineyard in La Morra. The Mauro Molino 2017 Barolo Gallinotto shows black cherry and cassis in this vintage, and the fruit is nicely mature without any signs of overt ripeness. Indeed, this wine is compact and tight, suggesting that a few more years of cellar aging are required before it fleshes out fully. The wine shows terrific focus and balance in 2017 but perhaps a little less intensity on the close.