On the savory side, this red opens with freshly mowed grass, hay and eucalyptus aromas before revealing cherry, strawberry, rose and mineral flavors. Fleshy, with a matrix of dense tannins flexing their muscles on the finish. Shows excellent potential. Best from 2023 through 2042. 1,000 cases made, 250 cases imported. — BS

Rose, red-berry, wild herb and baking-spice aromas take center stage on this fragrant, elegant red. Loaded with finesse, the full-bodied palate delivers strawberry compote, star anise and cinnamon alongside a mineral note evoking rusty nail. Taut polished tannins and bright acidity provide the age-worthy framework. Drink 2024-2046.

The 2016 Barolo La Rosa is another attractive wine from Fontanafredda. Sweet, perfumed aromatics and mid-weight structure convey grace. But there is good depth and fine balance, too. Crushed flowers, red berry fruit, mint, spice and subtle earthy notes linger. La Rosa is pretty delicate, but I would still cellar it for a few years, as the tannins need to soften.

The Fontanafredda 2016 Barolo Fontanafredda Vigna la Rosa also shows that muddled quality that I found in some of the other wines from this estate. I'm not sure if it is related to an over-cropping issue, but the wine lacks the clarity and focus that you should expect of a vintage of this caliber and importance. You get standard aromas with red and purple fruit, spice and tar. There's more focus in the Vigna la Rosa in terms of mouthfeel, and that helps to stitch the wine together. Some 6,000 bottles were released.