2003 Barolo Riserva Rocche dell’Annunziata—Today the Rocche dell’Annunziata is the most promising and balanced of the 2003 Barolos. It offers an incredibly elegant nose followed by flavors of sweet red cherries and menthol with superb length, finesse and elegant, noble tannins. Made from a parcel where the vines are over 70 years old, and no doubt the deep roots here contribute to this wine’s sense of freshness given the vintage. A great effort. (91-94), 11/05 With his boyish enthusiasm it is hard to believe Enrico Scavino has a full 50 vintages under his belt. “I started working at the family estate when I was a young boy,” says Scavino. “I remember the 1958 vintage in particular. We had a very cool spring and many vineyards were affected by peronospora (a fungal disease that can affect the vines). Flowering was irregular and the plants carried very little fruit. We made a rich, concentrated Barolo that year that was a huge hit with our customers. It was a great way to start, and I’ve been hooked ever since.” Scavino has turned out an excellent set of wines in both 2003 and 2004, although I give the edge to the 2004s, which offer more nuance and better balance. I did not taste the normale or the Carobric, both wines that are made from a blend of various parcels.