Gianluigi Lano, Barbaresco “Rocche Massalupo”

Today’s 2011 Lano Barbaresco “Rocche Massolupo” is one of the greatest value-for-dollar wine finds—and one of the smartest investments—we’ve offered all year. Regardless of country, style, or price point, this is a wine everyone will be talking about for years to come.The intense perfume, vivid soil character, and “sweet spot” maturity make this bottle a perfect expression of the hallowed Barbaresco terroir. There are numerous $75-$100 bottles of 2015 and 2016 Barolo and Barbaresco in the US market, but I can think of few that deliver such elegance and complexity as this ridiculously low-priced gem. Having offered some other aged Nebbiolo stunners recently, I’m reveling in the embarrassment of Piedmontese riches lately at SommSelect—and I’ll be pulling a cork on a bottle of Lano’s “Rocche Massalupo” as soon as possible. It’s drinking beautifully, it’s loaded with perfume, and it perfectly captures the lithe ‘femininity’ of Barbaresco relative to Barolo. Best of all, there’s plenty of l