Luigi Pira Barolo Marenca 2000 and Damilano Barolo Cannubi 2000

After 14 hours of air travel and even with clogged up sinuses, I wanted to treat myself.  Very enjoyable teeing up modern and traditional wines from the 2000 vintage side by side... paired with grilled lamb chops, sauteed mushrooms, lemon-herb risotto and marinated artichoke salad for dinner, followed by 70% cacao dark chocolate for dessert.  Both wines were decanted and followed over the course of several hours as they opened up.
Luigi Pira is the only producer to make a wine from Marenca vineyard (2 hectares) in Serralunga d'Alba... this is a very nice example of a modern-style Barolo ... it is a big and bold black cherry statement with really tasty earthiness... nose of roses and leather  ... oak is noticeable but not too obtrusive.  Just entering its window of approachability now ... very dark garnet, quite brilliant color...
I believe that I have read that the Damilano Cannubi may be made from the "lesser" portions of the Cannubi appellation since this is a rather broader classification these days.  However, this wine is extremely good and is made in more of a traditional style.  The nose is off-the-charts alluring with marvelous sois bois complemented by flowers and anise.... the wine is lighter in color (more of a ruby) than the Marenca, and is quite cloudy (unfined and unfiltered...?) ... Lots of sediment, but drinkable sediment.  I didnt want to filter it because this wine is so good. Soft, sweet tannins in this cherry fruit ... this is a rounder and more elegant wine. 
The Marenca is good, but is slightly more angular compared to the Cannubi.  Can't get enough of this Cannubi beauty ... wow!  I have got to find more of this stuff...