Sandrone Barolo Le Vigne 2008

97 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "[$155 list] Sandrone’s 2008 Barolo Le Vigne is a wine of breathtaking textural finesse and elegance. Nothing really stands out, so phenomenal is the wine’s balance and sense of harmony. This is the kind of wine that is easy to overlook because it doesn’t ask for attention and isn’t showy. Instead, everything is simply in the right place. The finest, most silky of tannins support a core of sweet red berries, flowers, mint and spices, all of which are woven together with total refinement. The eternal, nuanced finish bodes very well for the future. This is a dazzling effort from Luciano and Luca Sandrone. Le Vigne is made from parcels in Vignane, Ceretta, Conterni and Merli. In 2008 there is a little less Vignane as part of the vineyard was hit by hail. There is little question that the blending of fruit from several sites was a huge advantage in 2008. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2028. (Apr 2012)"

96 points Falstaff: "Rich, dark garnet red. Exciting and inviting nose, dark rose petal, wild raspberry and pickled plum. On the palate lots of juicy fruit, playful, delicate wild raspberry notes, grippy, fine-meshed tannin, hearty and long. (7/6/18)"

95 points and 'Top 100 Italian Wines in 2012,' James Suckling: "Love the nose of this with freshly cut flowers and berries with just a hint of chillies, cocoa. Full-bodied, with super well-integrated tannins and a subtle fruity palate. The texture is beautiful. Better in 2015. (7/19/12)"

94 points Wine & Spirits: "A blend of four estate vineyards -- Ceretta, Conterni (both Monforte d’Alba), Merli (Novello) and Vignane (Barolo) -- this is an astonishing 2008. It has the kind of tannic precision and detail that parallels the cool earth on a freshly dug truffle. The wine is youthfully compressed all the way through, a bright, savory sphere of flavor that forms a complex Barolo. All it requires is age. (Dec 2012)"