Sandrone Barolo le Vigne Sibi et Paucis 2011 (750ML)

98 JS / 96 VM / 95 WA

This shows real clarity and precision of fruit and fine tannins. The bark and mushroom character is fascinating, but the extended character of wet earth adds to the whole experience. It’s so long and refined, yet muscular. Just starting to open now. Fantastic. One to drink or hold.-James Suckling

Rose petal, mint, crushed flowers, sweet red berries and cinnamon are some of the many notes that take shape in the glass. A wine of exquisite perfume and aromatic lift, the 2011 Le Vigne is all about finesse and pure texture. With time in the glass, the 2011 blossoms into a layered, head-turning wine. This is a great effort from Sandrone. In 2011, Le Vigne includes fruit from Villero for the first time. Few wines straddle the modern and traditional with this much pure finesse. Antonio Galloni – Vinous Media

From a hot and dry vintage that saw dusty winds blowing up through the Mediterranean and spreading particles of sand from Africa, this wine shows open-knit appeal with loose texture and lots of dark fruit intensity. The Luciano Sandrone 2011 Barolo Le Vigne Sibi et Paucis pours from the bottle with rich and velvety intensity, followed by dried cherry, blackberry, spice, leather and tar. I tasted the 2009 vintage before this and am now focused on the 2011, so I wonder if perhaps the 2010 vintage is being held back even longer at the winery in their special cellar built for these precious late-release wines. Monica Larner – The Wine Advocate