The 2008 Barolo Riserva Colonnello wafts from the glass with an exotic melange of dried flowers, rose petals, pomegranate, wild herbs, mint and tea leaves. The use of whole clusters, quite unusual in Piemonte, comes through in the wine’s intense aromatics and fine, delineated fruit. The texture of the fruit is compelling and beautiful. It is quite rare to see a large winery like Prunotto, which is owned by the Antinori family, that is willing to push the boundaries and take risks of this magnitude. The 2008 Riserva is going to be a fascinating wine to follow over the coming years and decades. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2028. The biggest news at Prunotto is the introduction of a new Barolo Riserva from the Colonnello vineyard in Monforte made with whole clusters. Prunotto experimented with whole clusters between 2004 and 2007, but only felt with the 2008 that the Riserva was ready to be released. Importer: Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Woodinville, WA; tel. (425) 415-3738