Vintage Piedmont Tasting at Wine Watch

“I’m like Julius Caesar, when I come around you hail/
Fix me up a salad with tatsoi and kale.”
–The Nitpicker on his hit single “Leefi Greenz.”

“It’s a celebration. Clap, clap, bravo./Lobster and shrimp
and a glass of moscato.”
– Drake on Trey Songz’ hit track “I Invented Sex.”

I am back from France and will have a lot of great new wines from Champagne and Burgundy to tell my wine drinking people about in the “What I Drank Yesterday” part of our e-mail over the next few weeks.

Jumping back in with both feet we have five wine tastings this week! 

There are still a few spaces left for the Penfolds dinner at Michael Mina Stripsteak tomorrow night, we are tasting both the Grange and an even rarer Cabernet Sauvignon from Penfolds the Bin 169!

Then, we have our big Washington state tasting at the store here on Friday night with over 30 wines from one of the up and coming stars of the Northwest. 

We usually do not have tastings on Saturday night but because I have been gone I need to make up for lost time this weekend and we are hosting one of our favorite tastings this Saturday night with a few seats left for the vintage Piedmont tasting!!

The Piedmont is one of my favorite wine regions on earth and this is always one of the tastings that I look forward to the most. If you would build a perfect grape varietal it would be Nebbiolo.  This wine has the subtle earthy nuance and floral perfume of Pinot Noir (one my other favorite varietals) and the power and age ability of Cabernet Sauvignon (another one of my favorites). 

The best of both worlds in one varietal, so the perfect grape in my eyes is Nebbiolo and the only place that turns this varietal into world class wine is Italy and more specifically the Piedmont.

Barbera is also one of my favorite varietals and its diversity with food is enhanced by its pronounced acidity and the nuance from the earth, truffles, dark berry fruit and light tannic structure make it a crowd pleaser from the day it is released.  Whereas Nebbiolo needs to be cellared for 10+ years in a great vintage most Barbera can be enjoyed while you are waiting for your Barolos and Barbarescos to mellow out in your cellar but there are a few examples where you can keep Barbera for almost as long as Nebbiolo.

Tonight we will explore some of the greatest Barbera and Nebbiolo based wines that are now just starting to enter into their peak years of drinking pleasure. Everything on the table will be at least 15 years old or more.  Wine Watch Caterings Toni Lampasone will be making a few small courses to accompany the tasting wines.  The fee for this tasting is $159 + tax, for Reservations call 954-523-9463.

Vintage Piedmont Tasting at Wine Watch
Saturday, May 30, 2015
7:00 PM

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1999 Corino Insieme Piedmont
Price: $58.50    Your Price: $510.48
Quantity in Stock: 6

We could call these super Piedmontese wines or blends with non-traditional grape varietals.  The funds from the sale of these Insieme wines are used in part to restore historic buildings in the Piedmont.  The wine is are aged in barrique. The blends is 50% Nebbiolo and 50% Barbera, with a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. The wine is bottled unfiltered, and there are approximately 3,000 bottles.  

1999 Altare Larigi Barbera Langhe
Price: $79.50    Your Price: $69.96
Quantity in Stock: 7

(94 Points)  The 1999 Larigi is a firm, intense Larigi very much in the style of the great 1989. Vibrant fruit and expressive, perfumed aromatics are framed by firm, yet harmonious tannins. Lingering notes of sweetness come through on the intense finish.  The Wine Advocate, In the Cellar, Jul 2009

2000 Braida Barbera Ai Suma Piedmont
Price: $99.75    Your Price: $87.78

(90)The 2000 Barbera d'Asti Ai Suma (this cuvee was not produced in 1999) exhibits copious amounts of smoky oak along with notes of espresso, licorice, and black cherry jam. Lush, medium to full-bodied, and ripe, with abundant quantities of sweet fruit, it will drink well for 5-7 years.  Wine Advocate # 144 Dec 2002

1995 E. Pira Barolo Cannubi Piedmont
Price: $90.00    Your Price: $79.20

The Gambero Rosso lists the 1995 vintage overall as 4 out of 5 stars for Barolo. This is an excellent vintage for Barolo and it is the second vintage that Chiara made with her new vinification techniques. This wine is drinking very nice at the moment but still has potential to age further.

1995 Gaja Costa Russi Piedmont
Price: $450.00    Your Price: $396

(90 Points) 1995 tends to be a good rather than great vintage in Piedmont, but Gaja's sensational 1995s are among the stars of the vintage. This wine possesses extremely saturated dark ruby/purple colors, almost atypical for Nebbiolo. The 1995 Barbaresco Costa Russi is a full-bodied, fruit-driven, and powerful wine, it possesses copious quantities of black raspberry and cherry fruit, as well as toasty new oak. There is even an element of sur-maturite in this large-scaled, expansively flavored effort. I would not be surprised to see it age for 20-25 years. Anticipated maturity: 2004-2020+. Wine Advocate #124 (Aug 1999)

1996 Pelissero Barbaresco Vanotu
Price: $135.00    Your Price: $118.80

(86)This mainstream Barbaresco is a competent, well-made effort. The 1996 Barbaresco Vanotu reveals a stemmy, vegetal character, in addition to a lean, tannic, hard finish. I have reservations about it ever achieving full harmony.Wine Advocate # 124 Aug 1999

1997 Gaja Sperss
Price: $495.00    Sale Price: $395.00

(99 points) A virtually perfect effort is the 1997 Sperss (30,000 bottles), which represents the essence of truffles, earth, and black cherries in its striking aromatics and multidimensional, opulent, full-bodied palate. The acidity seems low because of the huge glycerin levels and prodigious concentration of fruit, but I suspect it is normal in the scheme of oenological measurement. This profound wine requires 3-4 years of cellaring, and should age well for 30-35 years. Wine Advocate #135 Jun 2001

Menu

Butternut Squash and Sage Stuffed Ravioli Finished in Truffle Butter and Toasted Pine Nuts

Bacon Wrapped Pork Loin Medallions served with Spring Vegetable Ratatoullie infused with Truffle Oil

This tasting is $159 + tax for reservations call 954-523-9463.

For those of you that love older vintage Piedmont wines we have a good collection of wines in the store right now for sale.

2005 Aldo Conterno Barolo Riserva Gran Bussia
Price: $350.00    Your Price: $308.00
Quantity in Stock: 2

(95 points) The 2005 Barolo Riserva Granbussia is shaping up to be one of the great wines of the vintage. The bouquet is classic Barolo to the core – pure rose petals, tar, licorice, orange peel and leather. The 2005 is a wine of contrasts. It is at once powerful yet delicate, rich yet weightless. In other words, it captures all of the elements that make Nebbiolo such a fascinating grape. Both bottles I tasted were spectacular. Within the context of Granbussia, the 2005 isn't likely to be one of the longer-lived vintages, but it is stunning right now. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2025.  Wine Advocate #200, Apr 2012

2005 Elio Altare Barolo Brunate
Price: $136.75    Your Price: $120.34
Quantity in Stock: 4

(95 Points) The 2005 Barolo Brunate is intense and pure, with the transparency and sheer pedigree of a grand cru Burgundy. Intense layers of dark cherries, tar, menthol and spices are all intricately woven in a fabric of gorgeous complexity. The wine’s fruit carries through all the way to the long finish, balancing the tannins with notable grace. The Brunate is richer and more vibrant than the Arborina, and the flavor profile tends towards the darker end of the spectrum. Simply put, this is classic Brunate. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030. Wine Advocate # 182, Apr 2009

2005 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco
Price: $123.00    Your Price: $108.24
Quantity in Stock: 4

2005 Grimaldi Barolo Le Coste
Price: $68.50    Your Price: $60.28
Quantity in Stock: 13

(94 Points) Raspberry, lemon and blackberry aromas lead to a full-bodied palate, with toasty oak, coffee and berry flavors and full, velvety tannins. Best after 2012. 400 cases made. -JS Wine Spectator Issue: Jul 31, 2009

2005 Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo Brunate Le Coste
Price: $161.25    Your Price: $129.00
Quantity in Stock: 5

The 2005 Barolo Brunate/Le Coste presents a darker shade of red fruit along with a more muscular, dense personality. This too is a relatively soft style for Rinaldi, and while some of the complexity of the finest vintages appears to be lacking, the wine nevertheless offers compelling balance and harmony. 92 pts Galloni

2005 Scavino Barolo Carobric
Price: $98.25    Your Price: $78.60
Quantity in Stock: 11

(93 Points) Sweet roses, minerals, mint, licorice and dark raspberries flow from the 2005 Barolo Carobric. This richly- textured, multi-dimensional wine reveals tons of complexity. The finish is long, sweet and incredibly pure. Carobric is a wine that has grown significantly in stature over the last few years and the 2005 is terrific. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2025.

My visit with Enrico Scavino and his daughter, Enrica, was one of the highlights of my November trip to Piedmont. In addition to these superb 2005 Barolos, I also sampled all of the 2006s, 2007s and 2008s from barrel and/or tank, which made for an incredible tasting. In recent years Scavino’s wines have taken on additional elements of classicism that I find very appealing. Enrico Scavino has the energy of someone half his age. Scavino has recently concluded the purchase in the Monvigliero vineyard in Verduno which he had previously rented, and will make a new single vineyard Barolo from this site. Further acquisitions are in the works but are not yet finalized. I wish every producer in Piedmont had Scavino’s sheer passion. As for the 2005s, well, they are striking for their aromatics and level of ripeness. Scavino continues to dial back the oak, and the color of these wines is much more typical of Nebbiolo than has been the case in the recent past. The overall level of quality is very close to 2004, although the wines are very different in terms of their personalities.  Wine Advocate # 182, Apr 2009

2004 Azelia Barolo Riserva Voghera Brea
Price: $129.00    Your Price: $113.52
Quantity in Stock: 9

(95 Points) The 2004 Barolo Riserva Voghera Brea comes across as quite classic. Red fruits, iron, dried rose, smoke, licorice and tobacco are just some of the nuances that can be found in this wonderful, complex Barolo. Stylistically, the Riserva shows slightly oxidative (but not at all unpleasant) aromas and flavors that recall a more traditional style of Barolo than is typically found at Azelia. Still, I loved the Riserva for its superb balance, expansive fruit and compelling, powerful personality. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2029.

Proprietor Luigi Scavino doesn’t get anywhere near the attention he deserves, but make no mistake about it, his top Barolos play in the same league with Piedmont’s elite bottlings. The Barolos see malolactic fermentation and aging in French oak barriques, although the Margheria is aged in medium-size French oak barrels. Wine Advocate #187, Feb 2010

2004 Braida Ai Suma Barbera
Price: $95.50    Your Price: $76.40
Quantity in Stock: 5

(90 Points) The 2004 Barbera d’Asti Ai Suma is made from late-harvested fruit, and as is to be expected, reveals an extra dimension in its ripeness and richness. This deeply-colored, sumptuous Barbera is redolent of plums, dark cherries, blackberries, spices, minerals and toasted oak. It displays outstanding length and plenty of style. I would prefer to drink it on the young side although this bottling has proven age-worthy. A recent bottle of the 1989 was still in fine shape, even if to my palate its best years belong to the past. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2014.

Braida was the first estate to make important, high-quality Barberas from Asti. In the past the wines have always been very heavy and rich, but the 2004s are made in a more understated style. Wine Advocate # 173, Oct 2007

2004 Cantine Valpane Barbera del Monferrato Valpane
Price: $28.00    Your Price: $24.64
Quantity in Stock: 8

Although the names Asti and Alba may be more widely recognized today, Pietro explains that the Monferrato provides more faithful expressions of Barbera. This is due in part to the warmer climate and longer hours of sunlight here, which allow the grapes to ripen completely and unfurl the full personality of the variety. The Monferrato is also still relatively untamed, and the forests and fields here benefit the area’s vineyards by providing a natural source of variety. At Valpane these factors combine to provide meaty Barberas that nevertheless offer plenty of lively fruit. Pietro then lets them sit in large oak botti and cement tanks for several years, depending on the cuvee, and releases them only when they are ready. This bottling has 15% Freisa in the blend and yes 2004 is the current release.

2004 Pelissero Long Now
Price: $52.00    Your Price: $41.60
Quantity in Stock: 5

Lots of black cherry kirsch like fruit on the nose very seducutive fresh flowers and black truffle notes very concentrated and rich bouquet black spice very well endowed. Wow big and juicy on the tongue with layers of black berry fruit black truffle notes tar classic style very fresh and long on the finish big tannins needs time but delicious right now event with the right food. Finish 45+ Excellent +

2004 Pelissero Barbaresco Vanotu
Price: $90.25    Your Price: $
Quantity in Stock: 3

(92)The estate's 2004 Barbaresco Vanotu is the most deeply-colored and concentrated of these offerings. A brooding wine, its flavor profile is dominated by ripe dark cherries and plums, earthiness, licorice, smoke and sweet toasted oak. This is a beautiful, modern-styled Barbaresco. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2019.Wine Advocate # 173, Oct 2007

2004 Rinaldi Barolo Brunate
Price: $180.00    Your Price: $144.00
Quantity in Stock: 7

(96 Points) Rinaldi’s 2004 Barolo Brunate/Le Coste has been special every time I have tasted it over the last few years. Profoundly expressive balsamic aromas jump out of the glass, leading to layers of seductive perfumed dark fruit that continue to unfold as the wine sits in the glass. This is a truly majestic Barolo. It possesses superb weight and density in a finely-textured yet powerful style. The tannins are firm yet incredibly refined. Readers will not want to miss this exceptional wine. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2029.

Beppe Rinaldi is one of Piedmont’s most iconic producers. Historically his bottles have been hard to find because they are mostly sold to private individuals rather than the trade, meaning that large lots are nearly impossible to come by. These are among the most natural, unmanipulated wines being made anywhere. At times past vintages have shown some rough edges and excessive amount of volatile acidity, but those traits seem to belong to the past, as today’s wines are cleaner and better made. My recent visit was illuminating as I tasted everything in barrel from vintages 2004 through 2007. The rigorously traditional style is alive and well in these cellars. The wines are fermented in an open-top wood vat using natural yeasts. Temperature is not mechanically controlled. The wines see a longish fermentation/maceration and are aged in cask. Although Rinaldi has changed out a few barrels recently, the only concession to anything resembling modernity is an old-fashioned rotary telephone, which seems to genuinely annoy him each time it rings. Yields here have never been particularly low but the trend towards warmer growing seasons has resulted in beautifully ripe and fragrant fruit, particularly in recent years. One of things I admire most about Rinaldi is that he just goes about his business as he always has. He doesn’t give a hoot what I, or anyone else for that matter, thinks about his wines, and that suits him just fine. Prices have barely budged since I began visiting years ago. Rinaldi told me he thought generally pricing had gone out of hand. It is, after all, just wine, he said. Wine Advocate # 179, Oct 2008

2004 Scavino Barolo Cannubi
Price: $143.75    Your Price: $126.50
Quantity in Stock: 4

(94 Points) Scavino's 2004 Barolo Cannubi is an imposing effort. It possesses a lovely inner perfume with layers of ripe fruit, menthol and spices that caress the palate, showing superb grace and purity. The tannins are sweet, ripe and round, adding to the wine’s stylish, elegant personality. This is a surprisingly big Cannubi from Scavino. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024. Wine Advocate # 174, Dec 2007

2004 Scavino Barolo Carobric
Price: $102.25    Your Price: $89.98
Quantity in Stock: 6

(94 Points) Scavino's 2004 Barolo Carobric comes across as classic in its expression of violets, black cherries, minerals and sweet toasted oak. It too offers gorgeous inner sweetness to its fruit, but it is more focused and less concentrated than the other 2004 Barolos. This is a beautifully proportioned, vibrant Barolo that is sure to find many admirers. Carobric is made from a blend of Rocche di Castiglione, Bric del Fiasc and Cannubi This bottling has often suffered an identity crisis among the single-vineyard wines in the lineup but in recent years its personality has gradually begun to show its potential. The 2004 is a terrific effort. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2024. Wine Advocate # 174, Dec 2007

2004 Scavino Barolo Bricco Ambrogio
Price: $98.25    Your Price: $86.46
Quantity in Stock: 7

(92 Points) The 2004 Barolo Bricco Ambrogio is the most forward of these 2004 Barolos. Made in a fruit-driven style, this plump, juicy wine is packed with sweet dark fruit. White pepper, truffles, plums and prunes develop with air, but this wine is ultimately more about immediacy than complexity. Still, it offers much pleasure. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2019. Wine Advocate # 174, Dec 2007

2003 Azelia Barolo Bricco Fiasco
Price: $94.00    Your Price: $82.72
Quantity in Stock: 5

Deep, garnet red in color, the Bricco Fiasco has a fine, ethereal nose that tantalizes with fruity and spicy aromas layered under notes of tobacco and licorice. It is warm and rich on the palate, very soft in the mouth, balancing ripe and sweet tannins with excellent freshness.

2003 Braida Barbera Bricco Dell Uccellone Piedmont
Price: $102.00
Quantity in Stock: 7

(90 Points) 2003 Barbera d’Asti Bricco dell’Uccellone—Dark violet. The estate continues its run of excellent 2003s with the terrific Bricco dell’Uccellone. It offers complex sensations of minerals, spices, cocoa and ripe dark fruit in a rich, concentrated style that avoids coming off as heavy. 90/drink now-2011, 08/05

2001 Bartolo Mascarello Barolo
Price: $150.00    Your Price: $
Quantity in Stock: 22

(92 Points) Bartolo Mascarello’s 2001 Barolo remains one the most quirky and idiosyncratic wines on the market. Initially soft and delicate, it offers a lovely core of open-knit, expressive macerated cherries, raspberries, spices, tar, freshly ground coffee beans and earthiness, giving the impression of being fairly ready to drink. With air, multiple tastings reveal a wine that has put on considerable weight, completely changing its personality to a big, structured Barolo supported by plenty of acidity and tannins to age. Though it freshened up considerably over time, it never became completely clean. At once highly compelling yet frustratingly flawed, it will appeal to readers who can look past its funky notes. That said, several recent bottles have been outstanding so I have upgraded my score accordingly. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2026. 
Maria Theresa Mascarello assures me that she will absolutely continue to make her wines in the style of her father and grandfather, which is to say traditional in every sense.  The idea of a perfect wine doesn’t exist. I am trying to make an honest wine, one that reflects all of the qualities of our territory, both its strengths as well as its flaws, says Mascarello.  There are only a few sites that can really give expressive wines. Our ancestors used to look at the hills in the winter, and where the snow melted first, they planted Nebbiolo. Today Nebbiolo is planted everywhere. For example, the vineyard where we have our Dolcetto has a good exposure, but it was never considered a first-rate exposure, so it was always planted with Dolcetto....today it is all Nebbiolo, only we have kept Dolcetto in that vineyard. The estate produces one Barolo, which is made from a blend of some of the best plots in the region. The vineyards are typically harvested in the following order: San Lorenzo, Cannubi, Torriglione, Rue, and the grapes are vinified together. The wines are fermented in glass lined concrete for 15-20 days, without the aid of temperature control or selected yeasts. The wine then ages in medium and large casks for 3 years before being released in the fall of the fourth year after the vintage. Mascarello’s wines remain some of the most age-worthy wines of the region. They are perhaps a bit less clean and perfect than the modern wines we have become accustomed to, but these highly idiosyncratic wines deserve attention from those who seek to understand what traditional Barolo is all about. Wine Advocate # 167 Oct 2006

2001 Braida Ai Suma Barbera Di Asti
Price: $85.00
Quantity in Stock: 3

(94 Points) The top of the line 2001 Barbera d’Asti Ai Suma comes from fruit left longer on the vine to achieve late-harvest ripeness levels, then aged in 100% new oak barrels. Inky and impenetrable in color, its maximum-intensity aromas of grilled fruit, charcoal, chocolate, and berry jam, its lush and succulent palate, dense, plush, caressing, and solid, combine power and elegance in a seamless whole. Who says you can't have it all? Wine Advocate # 149, Oct 2003

2001 Cantine Valpane Valpane
Price: $30.00    Your Price: $26.40
Quantity in Stock: 13

This Barbera del Monferrato is obtained from a near-late harvest. Vinification is done by long fermentation in wooden vats. The wine is then held for clarification and maturation for 15 to 20 months in 500-l barrels. After Freisa is added (max. 15%), the wine is transferred to stainless steel vats and left to rest for a short period before being bottled. The first 6 months in the bottle allow the blend of Barbera and Freisa time to harmonize the characteristics of the two grape varieties into a wine of complexity and intense flavor. The suggestions of spice from the interaction between the wine and the wood add to the depth of Barbera and integrate with the fruity raspberry taste of Freisa to give a great wine with a harmoniously balanced structure and a long, complex finish.

2001 Gaja Sori San Lorenzo
Price: $495.00    Sale Price: $395.00
Quantity in Stock: 4

(96 Points) A very silky wine with berry, cedar and tobacco character. Full-bodied, with fine tannins and a fresh finish. Lovely. Seductive and racy. Very long indeed. Strength yet finesse. Best after 2007. 970 cases made. –JS Wine Spectator Issue: Oct 31, 2005

Giacosa Barolo 2001
Price: $125.00
Quantity in Stock: 2

(92) I really like the plum, blackberry and cedar character of this wine. Full-bodied, with fine, velvety tannins and a long, rich finish. A gorgeous, pretty wine. I like this as much as the 2000. Best after 2007. 855 cases made. -JS Wine Spectator Buying Guide 10/15/05

2001 Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo Brunate
Price: $240.00    Your Price: $211.20
Quantity in Stock: 6

(95 points) The 2001 Barolo Brunate-Le Coste is big, plush and totally inviting. Layers of dark, balsamic-infused fruit blossom in the glass as this deep, spherical wine shows off its pedigree. There is little question the wine’s best days lie in the future. Readers who own the 2001 are in for a treat. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2031. eRobertParker.com #200 Apr 2012

2000 Altare Larigi Barbera Piedmont
Price: $76.75
Quantity in Stock: 5

2000 Gaja Costa Russi
Price: $495.00    Sale Price: $395.00
Quantity in Stock: 11

(100 Points) Fabulous aromas of rose petals and cherries with hints of raspberries. Full-bodied, with ultrafine tannins and an incredible finish. This is so fine and so long. A real beauty that grows and grows on the palate. Great Nebbiolo. Greatest Costa Russi ever, from 34-year-old vines. Best after 2010. 890 cases made. “JS Wine Spectator Issue: Jul 31, 2004

2000 Giacosa Barolo Riserva Falletto
Price: $495.00    Sale Price: $395.00
Quantity in Stock: 9

(96 Points)  The 2000 Barolo Riserva Le Rocche del Falletto is like silk on the palate. Sweet, ripe tannins frame an exquisite core of fruit. The 2000 is remarkably elegant, sensual and polished but it doesn’t quite provide the visceral thrill of the most monumental vintages. Still, this is a very strong showing from a wine that has frankly never moved me emotionally. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2020.

Bruno Giacosa has long been a fan of the 2000 vintage. I found his 2000s quite forward when I tasted them at the winery in November 2010, but far fresher when I opened the same bottles from my cellar in the US.  Wine Advocate #195, Jun 2011

2000 Oddero Barolo DOCG Piedmont
Price: $58.00    Your Price: $51.04
Quantity in Stock: 6

2000 Oddero Barolo Rocche Rivera
Price: $90.00    Your Price: $79.20
Quantity in Stock: 10

"Since the late 19th century, efforts have been made to identify which vineyards in the Barolo zones produces the highest quality of wine. Inspired by the prestige and high prices charged for Grand cru bottlings of Burgundy wine, Barolo producers began separating their holdings into individual vineyard lots and labeling the wines with these single vineyard designations. The practice became so extensive that some producers were doing single vineyard bottlings and charging high prices on all their holdings, regardless of whether the particular vineyard quality merited such a practice.

Led by prominent wine critic Luigi Veronelli, there was a push to have the vineyards of Barolo classified according to the quality of their produce. Winemaker Renato Ratti conducted an extensive study of the soils, geography and produce of vineyards throughout the area and mapped out individual plots based on their quality potential. The "Ratti Map" is still widely used by producers and negociants today. ---A. Domine (ed) Wine pg 360-361 Ullmann Publishing 2008 via Wikipedia

" While there is no official designation of cru vineyard in the Barolo zone, both oral tradition and the history of high prices paid by negociants has elevated some vineyards to "cru" status in Barolo. In the commune of Barolo the Cannubi and Sarmassa are considered "cru" class as well as the Brunate vineyard shared with the commune of La Morra. Also in La Morra is the highly esteemed Cerequio and Rocche vineyards. In Castiglione Falletto is the Monprivato and Villero vineyards. The commune of Serralunga d'Alba is home to the esteemed vineyards of Lazzarito and Vigna Rionda while the commune of Monforte d'Alba is home to the Bussia, Ginestra and Santo Stefano di Perno vineyards."

-J. Robinson (ed) "The Oxford Companion to Wine" Third Edition pg 63-65 Oxford University Press 2006 via Wikipedia

1999 Gaja Sori San Lorenzo
Price: $395.00    Your Price: $347.60
Quantity in Stock: 4

(94 points) 1999 Langhe Sori San Lorenzo—Dark ruby. Deep, powerful, and structured, the 1999 Sori San Lorenzo is another great effort from Gaja. It displays a big brooding personality, defined by notes of tar, wet earth, cocoa and sweet dark fruit with notable expansiveness on the palate, although the wine remains quite backward. This shut down quickly in the glass and appears to be most youthful of these 1999s. Patience is clearly warranted. 94/drink after 2011, 03/06 wine advocate In the Cellar May 2006

1999 Gaja Sori Tildin
Price: $395.00    Your Price: $347.60
Quantity in Stock: 2

(95)1999 Langhe Sori Tildin”The 1999 Sori Tildin is a knockout wine. It offers a classic, expressive nose of flowers and spices and somewhat austere profile of sweet red fruit, minerals and menthol on a mid-weight frame. It is the hardest of these wines to read today, but I found myself coming back to it often and discovering new nuances with each taste. It is clearly a wine of much potential and should start to drink well in another few years and last until age 25-30. It will be a fascinating wine to follow. Drink after 2011, 03/06 Italy Report # G7 May 2006

1999 Gaja Costa Russi
Price: $395.00    Your Price: $347.60
Quantity in Stock: 14

(93 Points) 1999 Langhe Costa Russi—Dark ruby. The 1999 Costa Russi is a soft, supple effort for the vintage, with a deeply nuanced nose and a rich core of sweet dark fruit buffered by prominent minerality on the seamless, long palate. Although not especially complex, this Costa Russi exhibits an elegance and finesse in its understated expression, and it is undoubtedly a highly enjoyable wine. True to type, it is also the most accessible of the single-vineyard wines from Barbaresco. It should age gracefully until at least age 20. 93/drink after 2009, 03/06

1999 Corino Insieme Piedmont
Price: $58.50
Quantity in Stock: 4

1999 Pelissero Barbaresco Annata
Price: $85.00    Your Price: $68.00
Quantity in Stock: 11

(93 Points) A dark, powerful wine, the 1999 Barbaresco bursts from the glass with notable depth, intensity and pure resonance. Black cherry, plum, smoke, tobacco and licorice meld together in a Barbaresco endowed with magnificent richness and breadth. The 1999 is a bit rustic in style, which is typical of the year, but it also has enough volume to drink well for another 5-7. This is a magnificent showing. -- Antonio Galloni

1998 Rinaldi Brunate Barolo
Price: $219.75    Your Price: $175.80
Quantity in Stock: 9

1997 Oddero Barbaresco DOCG
Price: $85.00    Your Price: $68.00
Quantity in Stock: 19

1997 Oddero Barolo Rocche Rivera di Castiglione
Price: $120.00    Your Price: $105.60
Quantity in Stock: 9

"Since the late 19th century, efforts have been made to identify which vineyards in the Barolo zones produces the highest quality of wine. Inspired by the prestige and high prices charged for Grand cru bottlings of Burgundy wine, Barolo producers began separating their holdings into individual vineyard lots and labeling the wines with these single vineyard designations. The practice became so extensive that some producers were doing single vineyard bottlings and charging high prices on all their holdings, regardless of whether the particular vineyard quality merited such a practice.

Led by prominent wine critic Luigi Veronelli, there was a push to have the vineyards of Barolo classified according to the quality of their produce. Winemaker Renato Ratti conducted an extensive study of the soils, geography and produce of vineyards throughout the area and mapped out individual plots based on their quality potential. The "Ratti Map" is still widely used by producers and negociants today.

 A. Domine (ed) Wine pg 360-361 Ullmann Publishing 2008 via Wikipedia

" While there is no official designation of cru vineyard in the Barolo zone, both oral tradition and the history of high prices paid by negociants has elevated some vineyards to "cru" status in Barolo. In the commune of Barolo the Cannubi and Sarmassa are considered "cru" class as well as the Brunate vineyard shared with the commune of La Morra. Also in La Morra is the highly esteemed Cerequio and Rocche vineyards. In Castiglione Falletto is the Monprivato and Villero vineyards. The commune of Serralunga d'Alba is home to the esteemed vineyards of Lazzarito and Vigna Rionda while the commune of Monforte d'Alba is home to the Bussia, Ginestra and Santo Stefano di Perno vineyards."

J. Robinson (ed) "The Oxford Companion to Wine" Third Edition pg 63-65 Oxford University Press 2006 via Wikipedia

1996 Giacosa Barolo Riserva Falletto
Price: $650.00    Sale Price: $520.00
Quantity in Stock: 11

(97 Points) 1996 Barolo Riserva Falletto—Deep red. Giacosa’s 1996 Riserva Falletto is a stunning Barolo. It is delicate and powerful at the same time, exhibiting a compelling, exotic nose of spices, licorice and tar along with a tightly wound core of fruit that gradually opens in the glass, revealing this wine’s profound personality. Just beginning to show some secondary aromas and flavors, it offers a wonderful juxtaposition of primary fruit and freshness along with more complex notes that have developed in the bottle. I found myself totally immersed in this Barolo and imagine it will offer those lucky enough to own bottles an unforgettable drinking experience for several decades. An Azienda Agricola Falletto di Bruno Giacosa bottling. 97/drink after 2011, 03/06 The Wine Advocate, In the Cellar, May 2006

1996 Dante Rivetti Barbaresco Bricco de Neueis Riserva
Price: $108.00    Your Price: $95.04
Quantity in Stock: 10

A good amount of fresh earth, mushroom and BBQ meat, still has some fruit but lots of dark spice and earth on the nose lovely richness and concentrated. This is a big wine with a good amount of dark cherry fruit, still has some dry tannins with any array of fresh black earth and exotic spiced through the finish.
Finish 50+ Most Excellent

1994 Giuseppe Rinaldi Brunate Barolo
Price: $198.00    Your Price: $174.24
Quantity in Stock: 9

1989 Gaja Barbaresco Sori San Lorenzo
Price: $595.00    Sale Price: $445.00
Quantity in Stock: 2

(95 Points)  The 1989 Barbaresco Sori San Lorenzo is deep, dark and rich, with baritone notes in its fruit that differentiate it from the distinctly higher-toned Costa Russi and Sori Tildin. The wine possesses exceptional length all the way through to the powerful and deeply satisfying finish. This masculine offering lacks some of the nuance of the best of these 1989s, but it is terrific nonetheless. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2035. Wine Advocate #187, Feb 2010