The 1996 Barolo Falletto de Serralunga (Red Label Riserva) possesses extraordinary presence and stature. Dark garnet/ruby-colored, it offers a tight but promising nose of road tar, scorched earth, truffles, blackberries, cherries, and espresso. This muscular, massive wine gave me chills. It is an exquisite, virtually perfect Barolo that requires a decade of cellaring, and should last for 30-40 years. I remember wishing I were twenty years younger when I tasted it prior to bottling ... I still feel the same way. Awesome! Anticipated maturity: 2010-2040.- RP

Terrific aromas of crushed fruit, Indian spices and dried flowers follow though to a full-bodied palate, with silky tannins and a long, long finish. Just a baby, but very balanced and pretty.--1996 Piedmont retrospective. Best after 2009. 200 cases made. — JS

The 1996 Barolo Riserva Falletto di Serralunga is frustrating. One bottle is excellent, while a second shows a bit of TCA, which is especially evident in the bouquet. Even so, both bottles offer plenty of Falletto depth and structure. For my money, though, the 2000, 2001 and 2004 are all superior. Recent tastings have shown quite a bit of variability as to how the 1996 is aging. -- Antonio Galloni