Azelia Barolo San Rocco 2011 Piedmont

Luigi Scavino of Azelia was once an advocate of using modern winemaking techniques in Barolo, until his cousin (and legendary winemaker) Enrico Scavino helped him refine his style. He now rarely uses more than 20% new oak and favours large oak botti casks as well as barriques for the ageing process. An Azelia monopole, San Rocco is a top-notch Serralunga vineyard that faces south and southwest, where the soils are almost entirely a very hard, compact marl. Rich, with sweet, dark hedgerow fruits, strong liquorice flavours, and warming notes of creme de mure and kirsch, this also has hints of earth and cinnamon. Fabulous with duck, game, or a rich ragu.