2012 Rocca Giovanni Barolo DOCG Piemonte 750 ml

“Grace Under Pressure” a WineAccess First: $29.99 Quality Barolo

We’ll make this one short, but, as it pertains to world-class BARGAIN Italian reds, it’s never been sweeter. Of the extraordinary vintages of the last decade, if we had to choose just one that offered up the juiciest, most pliant, and plush Barolos since the dawn of the new millennium — it would be 2012.

The most respected Barolo expert in the world, Antonio Galloni, has been covering the region for nearly 15 years. In his report titled “2012 Barolo: Grace Under Pressure," he praised the 2012s for their “bright acidities” and “forward fruit” qualities, most importantly noting that they are “lower in alcohol than the 2011s, a combination that gives the wines considerable early appeal” — in other words, a drink now vintage with exceptional deals to be had. Here’s why.

Nebbiolo is the oldest and most noble red variety of Piedmont, known locally as “the queen of the black grapes” because, like Pinot Noir, it is fickle and needs the utmost attention and care to fully ripen. The 2012 spring in Piedmont ushered in cool and rainy weather from April to May. The sun began to shine in June, though storms during flowering and fruit set led to a reduced crop — there would be no need to green-harvest. Temperatures rose steadily throughout July and August, climbing as high as 100 degrees, and loose Nebbiolo clusters soaked in the sun, ripening at a gentle pace until being harvested in early October. The best producers turned out youthful drinking wines that will develop marvelous complexities with time.

None more so than the astounding 2012 Rocca Giovanni Barolo DOCG. Rocca’s old vines in Monforte d’Alba delivered a vivid, hedonistic Barolo that in the glass shows a deep garnet core fading brick-red at the rim. Pronounced red berry aromas, forest floor, and lofty cinnamon spice. Full-bodied and lush on entry, a vigorous, ripe core of crushed red and black fruits, Morello cherry, plums, and savory herbs. Framed by a firm dusty-tannin backbone and juicy acidity, complemented by a lengthy sweet fruit and tobacco spice finish.

We loved this wine, as did Wine Spectator, which awarded Rocca’s 2012 Barolo 92 points. If you’re a Nebbiolo enthusiast or a serious Piedmont collector with a penchant for Italy’s answer to Côte de Nuits Pinot, the cream of the 2012 Barolos are Must-Buys — fetching no less than $70/bottle. But if you’re looking for world-class BARGAIN reds, it doesn’t get much sweeter than this.

$50 on release. On this WineAccess first — an astonishing quality Barolo at an UNHEARD-OF price: $29.99 per bottle, direct from Rocca’s cellars in Barolo. Shipping included on 4 — the best price in America! 500 bottles.