This gorgeous wine opens with aromas of pressed rose, camphor, new leather and ripe forest berry. Full-bodied and loaded with finesse, the delicious, elegantly structured palate features ripe Marasca cherry, blood orange, tobacco and licorice framed in firm, refined tannins. Drink 2023–2035. KERIN O’KEEFE

Mint, menthol and rose hip are the top notes in this elegant Barolo, followed by flavors of cherry, licorice, leather and spice. Slim, yet detailed and harmonious, with a long, warm embrace of mulled red fruit, leather, spice and tobacco elements on the long aftertaste. Best from 2024 through 2045. 335 cases made, 175 cases imported.

The 2015 Barolo Riserva Vigna Elena displays the ripeness and concentration of the vintage, with cassis, cinnamon, leather, and balsamic. The palate has notes of cherry pit, black tea, and tar. Rich and powerfully structured, the Riserva warrants another year or so in cellar and will be prime for enjoyment 2022-2040.

Valter Fissore has a talent for finding the perfect balance in every vintage, and he’s done it again with the 2015 Vigna Elena, a wine that stands out in this warm vintage for its exuberant florality and freshness. Scents of roses and violets, licorice and mint leap from the glass, leading into flavors of fresh red cherry and orange peel that are vibrant and layered. Impressively harmonious and detailed for a young Riserva, it will only get better over the coming decade. (W&S 8/21)

The 2015 Barolo Riserva Ravera Vigna Elena (with 4,000 bottles made) is coming along beautifully with lots of dark fruit packed tight within and a well-developed savory side, with leather, tar and cured tobacco. Now, with the benefit of distance, we can see that the 2015 vintage has not aged evenly across the board, as some samples already show faded fruit. To be clear, that is absolutely not the case here. In fact, this Riserva sets the bar very high, thanks to its structure and length. Perhaps what it lacks is the extra acidity to push it along even further into the future.- ML

(95+ points) The 2015 Barolo Riserva Ravera Vigna Elena is very tight - but then again, it won't be released for another two years. Intense, searing tannins Sweet red fruit, white pepper, mint, and tobacco come together in a wine that is not quite as refined as usually. This is one of the most tightly wound, classically austere Barolos readers will find in 2015, at least today. The searing tannins need time to soften, which will in turn allow the fruit to emerge more fully. - By Antonio Galloni on November 2019