Azelia Barolo Margheria 2017

From the heart of Serralunga d’Alba, with all its complexity. Intense aromas, black fruits, licorice and spices in the typical Serralunga style. Energetic. The tannins frame the structure giving density and deepness to the wine. Conclusion with a persistent sapidity. Mineral, earthy, salty. Impressive. Bright, saline and sculpted in feel.

Pair it with grilled steak, roast beef, rack of lamb, lamb shank, osso bucco, and sharp cheddar.

96 Points - James Suckling    Smells like a bunch of fresh roses with strawberries and white mushrooms. It’s full-bodied with a very fine, layered palate with lightly dusty tannins. It’s extremely long and sophisticated.

94 Points - Vinous    The 2017 Barolo Margheria is gorgeous. Open, perfumed aromatics are immediately alluring. On the palate, the 2017 is a dark, mysterious wine, with layers of flavor that continue to develop over time. Dark cherry, blood orange, spice, leather, iron and scorched earth add striking layers of nuance. The tannins are potent - we are in Serralunga after all - but the 2017 has so much to offer. It's a gorgeous Barolo to enjoy over the next two decades, maybe more.

93 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate    The most structured and tannic of these new releases from Azelia is the 2017 Barolo Margheria. The tannins are quite present, meaning that you are required to afford generous aging time to this Barolo from Serralunga d'Alba, hoping that the fruit intensity will run the course. At this young stage, the wine shows blackberry and plum, with licorice, rusty nail and some crushed stone or terracotta clay. The wine's mineral signature is strong and elegant. In appearance, it reveals a lean and bright ruby color, and the power and natural richness of the mouthfeel come as a welcome surprise.

93 Points - Wine Enthusiast    This opens with aromas of scorched earth that eventually give way to toasted hazelnut, forest floor, dried herbs and whiffs of iris. Full-bodied and elegant, the palate recalls cranberry, star anise and orange zest before an almost salty finish. Tightly knit, finegrained tannins provide support. Give it time to fully develop.

93 Points - Jeb Dunnuck    The 2017 Barolo Margheria is herbaceous with sweet tobacco, dried black raspberry, and gentian root. The palate is drying with fast building tannins and notes of tea leaf, cherry pit, and orange pith.

90 Points - Wine Spectator    Tight and firmly tannic, this red's cherry, plum, eucalyptus, tar and mineral flavors are locked in for now. Though lightly astringent on the finish, this shows good balance overall. This just needs time.