Luciano Sandrone's 2001 Barolo Le Vigne is fresh vibrant and totally impeccable. Flowers mint minerals and juicy red berries are some of the many nuances that come to life in the 2001 Le Vigne. The wine gains volume and shape with time in the glass. Seemingly endless layers of fruit flesh out on the mid-palate and finish. Hints of leather spices licorice and flowers add further complexity on the close. This is a fabulous showing from Luciano Sandrone. Although Sandrone's Cannubi Boschis gets most of the attention the reality is that in many vintages Le Vigne is very much its equal. The ability to blend fruit from several parcels an approach rarely used today has plenty of merits. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2021. -Antonio Galloni