Gianfranco Alessandria Barolo "San Giovanni" DOCG 2017 6x750 2017

The 2017 Barolo San Giovanni is an attractive wine, but in this vintage it is not markedly different from the straight Barolo. Whether that is the year or a stylistic change is hard to discern given that 2017 is an unusual vintage because of severe heat and drought.

Succulent dark cherry, spice, leather and rose petal are some of the notes that open with a bit of time in the glass. What is evident is that in 2017, the San Giovanni is a bit lighter than normal, while the French oak imprint is also less incisive, both of which may turn out to be positive.