Barolo Bussia Cicala 2011

The 2011 Barolo Bussia Cicala shows a slightly warmer side to the Bussia cru, although in general I am very impressed with how this single vineyard has performed. You get subtle wood influences here, but the quality of fruit is on prime display. Black cherry, cassis and wild berry lift graciously from the bouquet. Heavier aromas of spice, resin and black licorice add a sense of gravitas and grounded vigor. Bussia Cicala is aged in Slovenian botte for 28 months and already shows excellent potential for a sure and steady evolution.

Conterno's 2011 Barolo Cicala is decidedly ripe and flashy in this vintage, with exotic overtones and unusiully jammy fruit. Dry, austere tannins down through the mid-palate and finish, a sign of the hail that was an issue here in 2011. Hints of kirsch, sweet red cherry and plum struggle to open up in the glass, but the tannins are a bit too much today. It will be interesting to see how the Cicala develops, but today, the class and pedigree of this site does not come through fully.