Sandrone Le Vigne, Barolo DOCG 2017 (1x75cl)

Barolo is always Nebbiolo, from Piedmont in northwest Italy, and it is one of the more serious reds on any shelf — pale in the glass but firm and tannic on the palate. The 2017 is young for Barolo, so give it air.

Decant it an hour ahead, or open it and come back later. Food helps too: braised beef, mushroom risotto, anything with fat and salt to meet those tannins. A respectable bottle to bring to a dinner where people talk about wine.

Tasting notes

Young Barolo typically shows red cherry, dried rose and tar with a savoury, earthy edge, high acidity and grippy tannins that usually soften after time in the decanter.