1997 Gianni Voerzio, La Serra, Barolo, Bottle (750ml)

Dense ruby-red color, more saturated than the '96. Pure nose combines black raspberry, violet, vanilla and brown spices; distinctly liqueur-like yet fresh. Fat, lush and superripe on the palate; velvety and floral. Not as subtle as the '96 but sweeter and perhaps deeper. This will be a popular style. The acids here are roughly the same as those of the '96, says Voerzio, but here the tannins are sweeter and finer.