Vintage Barolo Tasting at Cafe Maxx

"Good wine needs no bush."
 (from: As you like It) William Shakespear 1564-1616 English Dramatist & Poet

 

The month of October is just chock full of opportunities for you to drink with us and at a very high level!  This is the second "Once in a lifetime" tasting that we have conducted this month already!!

If you love Nebbiolo you don't want to miss this one or the Gaja/White truffle dinner at the end of the month.  Hey- you only live once and we want to make sure that you get your fair share of the world's greatest wines.  That's our job at the Wine Watch, enhancing your quality of life.

Barolo is one of the world’s most age worthy wines, but there is very little of these older vintage wines available on the open market today.   I like to compare these Italian treasures to the great wines of Burgundy, another region that has to deal with harsh conditions with a varietal that is very finicky. Nebbiolo like Pinot Noir only produces great wines in the a few areas of the world. Tonight we will be sampling wines from one of the greatest vintages of the last 50 years- 1990.  There will be a few small courses sent out to accompany the tasting wines and we will be ordering off the menu for dinner.  This tasting is limited to 15 tasters.  The fee for this event is $295.00 all-inclusive, for reservations call 954-523-9463.

1990 Vintage Barolo Versus Barbaresco Tasting at Cafe Maxx
Friday, October 16th
7pm

 

1990 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Gallina

(94 Points) The 1990 Barbareso Gallina is simply awesome. The wine boasts a seamless core of rich red fruits in a soft, generous style. This opulent Barbaresco possesses impeccable balance and tons of class. Floral notes intermingled with bright red fruits provide lift on the finish, adding lovely balance to the dense fruit. This is the most approachable of Giacosa’s 1990s but has plenty of stuffing to last another twenty years. The 1978 is still going strong. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025.

Bruno Giacosa’s wines are well represented in my personal cellar, which was the source for the vast majority of these bottles. I have had the good fortune to taste all of Giacosa’s 1989s and 1990s from multiple sources over the last year, and therefore can report that these notes are representative of what readers can expect from well-stored bottles. I consider 1989 and 1990 – along with 1978, 1982, 1996, 2001, 2004 and 2007 – to be among Giacosa’s finest vintages. The bevy of Red Label Riservas in this article says it all. In 1989 and 1990 Giacosa produced an immense number of legendary wines. In fact, he is one of the very few producers who did exceptionally well in both years. In general the 1989s are a touch more layered and nuanced, while the 1990s are impressive for their massive concentration. If forced to state a preference, I would say 1990 gets the nod for its consistency from top to bottom, even if few of those wines reach the sublime heights of the very finest 1989s. Still, these are relatively small distinctions at this high level. Readers who have the opportunity to taste any of these wines should not think twice. By the late 1980s Giacosa had begun to move towards an enlightened traditional style with the introduction of the French oak casks he now uses exclusively. Fermentations and barrel aging, however, remained very much within the framework of traditional winemaking, resulting in a combination that was electric. Readers will note that many of Giacosa’s Red Label Riservas during this time were made in small lots (such as the 1990 Asili and 1989 Collina Rionda), and that for practical purposes those wines were aged in medium-size casks rather than large casks.  Wine Advocate #187, Feb 2010

1990 Marchesi di Gresy Barbaresco Camp Gros Martinenga

(95 Points) The 1990 Camp Gros Martinenga is a profound wine, offering staggering perfume of ripe black-cherries, spring flowers, smoky oak, and a cigar box/fruitcake-like component. Dense, concentrated, and rich, the tell-tale opulence and jamminess of the vintage are well-represented. This wine possesses admirable underlying structure, ripe tannin, and a heady yet gorgeously soft and silky-textured finish. Although approachable, it promises to be one of di Gresy's longest-lived Barbarescos, lasting easily through the first decade of the next century.

The 1990 di Gresy Barbarescos possess a deeper richness and higher alcohol than the 1989s. They appear to have been made from even riper, more concentrated fruit than the superb 1989s.

The Marchesi di Gresy's La Martinenga vineyard is highly regarded by everyone in Barbaresco. This producer vinifies and bottles separately two parcels with La Martinenga called Camp Gros and Gaiun. This vineyard, which abuts both the esteemed Rabaja and Asili vineyards, is entirely owned by di Gresy. The style of wine that emerges is one of extraordinary finesse and elegance. In 1989 and 1990 di Gresy's wines are the finest I have tasted from this estate. In the past their emphasis on medium-weight, forward, lighter Barbarescos has tended to compromise this vineyard's full potential. The 1989s and 1990s, while offering the classic, elegant style favored by Marchesi di Gresy, possess more richness and concentration than preceding years. These are thrilling Barbarescos!  Wine Advocate #92, Apr 1994

1990 Alfredo Prunotto Barbaresco Montestefano

(92 Points) The 1990 Barbaresco Montestefano reveals a gorgeously-scented nose of smoked nuts, black-cherries, cedar, and spice. Full-bodied with layers of concentrated, highly extracted fruit, this massive wine appears to be more tannic and backward than its 1989 sibling. The finish is immensely long. While approachable now, it will be at its best between 1998-2012+.

Prunotto, now owned by the Tuscan firm of Antinori, continues to turn out superlative examples of Piedmontese wines.  Wine Advocate #92, Apr 1994

1990 Ceretto Barbaresco Bricco Asili

(95 Points) The most stunningly perfumed and richest of Ceretto's 1990 Barbarescos is the 1990 Bricco Asili. Deeper-colored than the 1990 Bricco Asili-Faset, with an intensely fragrant bouquet of roasted herbs, nuts, oak, and sweet, ripe fruit, this wine possesses great richness, full body, a succulent texture, and a finish that lasts for nearly a minute. Drink this gorgeously proportioned, decadently hedonistic Barbaresco over the next 10-15 years. Bravo!

Ceretto has a propensity to produce easy to drink, delicately-styled Piedmontese wines. While this is evident in the two blockbuster vintages of 1989 and 1990, the Ceretto brothers have made more concentrated and powerful wines than usual. Ceretto enjoyed superb success in both vintages, producing wines opulent enough to be drunk, but with enough concentration and richness to last for 10-15 years. These are top class efforts! Kudos to the Ceretto brothers!  Wine Advocate #92, Apr 1994 

1990 Sandrone Barolo Cannubi Boschis

(96 Points)The 1990 Barolo Cannubi Boschis is a massive, dark Barolo loaded with dark cherries, tobacco, grilled herbs, menthol and sweet French oak. Stylistically it could not be more different than the 1989 in its texture, weight and flavor profile. Still deeply colored, the 1990 Cannubi Boschis offers incredible textural richness and depth, with a finish that lasts forever. With time in the glass, the wine’s inner perfume emerges, adding further dimensions of complexity and nuance. The 1990 Cannubi Boschis remains a benchmark wine for Sandrone (and Piedmont as a whole), but in recent years it has become clear that the estate’s finest newer releases are on a different level. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2015.

Luciano Sandrone was still working full time at Marchesi di Barolo when he made his fabulous 1989 Barolo Cannubi Boschis. In the spring of 1990 Sandrone left the Marchesi in order to devote all of his energy to his own estate, and the rest, as they say, is history. Sandrone’s Barolos were built on elegance from the outset. Although Sandrone was clearly one of the early leaders of the modern school, his wines avoided the excesses of the mid and late 1990s. These meticulously hand-crafted, artisanal Barolos were vinified in steel and cement with manual pumpovers and punchdowns, then racked into 500-liter tonneaux where the wines underwent malolactic fermentation and subsequent aging. I can’t think of another property where the stylistic shift from somewhat traditional to decidedly contemporary is as noticeable within such a short period of time as it is here between 1989 and 1990. While the 1989 Cannubi Boschis (and the Barolos that preceded it) still had a foot in the past, the 1990 is clearly a forward-looking wine. Much of that is attributable to the ripeness of the 1990 vintage and the introduction of new French oak barrels from the cooper Vicard that year. I tasted the 1990 Barolo Le Vigne and Barolo Cannubi Boschis at the estate, and have had the 1989 and 1990 Barolo Cannubi Boschis from a number of cellars, including mine and that of Robert Parker, over the course of the last few months.

1990 Paolo Scavino Barolo Bric Del Fiasc

(97 Points) The 1990 vintage may have given Scavino a little more to work with as his 1990 Barolo Bric del Fiasc (3-liter) is utterly profound. Rich, dark and sensual, the wine flows onto the palate with marvelous concentration and depth. Layers of menthol, spices, sweet roses and dark fruit swirl around in the glass as this magnificent, regal Barolo struts its stuff. A veritable fountain of youth, this towering Barolo promises to drink spectacularly well for another two decades. From a standard bottle the 1990 is approachable, but readers lucky enough to own large formats will want to find a way to wait a few more years. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2030.

The 1989 and 1990 vintages find Enrico Scavino at a fascinating intersection between traditional and modern styles. Fermentations and macerations lasted roughly 12-14 days, while pumpovers and punchdowns were still performed manually. The malolactic fermentations were done mostly in small French oak barrels. The wines were aged first in French oak and then in larger casks, an approach similar to the one Scavino employs today. What comes through most in these wines is a decided commitment to low yields which is seen in the sheer concentration and depth of fruit. Wine Advocate #187, Feb 2010

1990 Domenico Clerico Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra

(95 Points) The 1990 Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra has developed a bit since I last tasted it about two years ago. Here the fruit is decidedly richer and more opulent than the 1989, but the early signs of maturity have also set in with slightly more advanced notes of coffee beans, mint and violets. The finish is long, powerful and utterly convincing. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2014.

This stunning set of wines shows how far ahead of the pack Domenico Clerico was 20 years ago. Then again, Clerico has the privilege of working with some of the very finest vineyards in the world. Winemaking was decidedly rustic at the time, as these wines were fermented in tanks outside Clerico’s house, the site of his current cellar. No matter, the wines are splendid, even today. The 1989 and 1990 Ciabot Mentin Ginestra were aged in 700-liter French oak barrels, while the 1990 Pajana is the first Barolo Clerico aged in the smaller 225-liter barrels he now uses for all of his Barolos.  Wine Advocate #187, Feb 2010

1990 Aldo Conterno Barolo Bussia

(93-97 Points) The super-concentrated 1990 Barolo Bussia Soprano is an outstanding wine. When I tasted it, it appeared more structured, tannic, and backward than the 1989. Perhaps it is just the one year difference in age, but the advantage the 1989 enjoys over the 1990 at present is that its fruit is sweeter and more evolved.

Every Italian wine authority, from the late Sheldon Wasserman, to Burton Anderson, to Victor Hazan, to Roberto Parkero, considers Aldo Conterno to be one of the great masters of his craft. The staggering display of wines he produced in 1989 and 1990 confirmed that no one in Piedmont is making greater Barolo than Aldo Conterno and his sons. If you love great wine, these are must purchases; if you love Barolo, a pilgrimage to your favorite Italian wine shop is in order! It is virtually impossible to pick a favorite among Conterno's 1989s and 1990s. However, the 1990s, which are not yet bottled, appear even more massive, structured, and tannic than the flamboyant, super-concentrated, flashy 1989s. Readers should keep in mind that the Barolo-Riserva Gran Bussia is released a year later than the other Barolos, so the 1989 will not appear in the marketplace until spring, 1995, and the 1990 a year later.  Wine Advocate #92,  Apr 1994

 

1990 Ca'Bianca Barolo Riserva Cascina Denegri

 

1990 Silvio Grasso Barolo La Morra

 

 

Menu

 

First course

Rare roasted beef carpaccio, extra virgin oil, basil, parmesan and crostini

Second course

Wild mushroom and porcini risotto with shredded red wine duck breast

 

This will be an order off the menu event, chef Oliver Saucy will send out a few small courses to accompany the tasting wines and we will be ordering off the menu for dinner.  There are only 14 seats available for this event.  The Fee is $295-all inclusive, for reservations call 954-523-9463.

 

A brief History of Barolo

Barolo has a long history of wine production, the area was named some 400 years ago and probably came from the Celtic brolio or brol, meaning "wood" or "orchard".   The region of Barolo encompasses approximately 3,000 acres of vines situated southwest of the town of Alba, in all or part of 11 communes.  First is La Morra, with nearly one-third of the total acreage.  Following in decreasing order are Serralunga d’alba, Monforte d’Alba, Barolo, and Castiglione Falletto, and parts of six other villages.  One of the most famous and most sought after vineyards in Barolo is Cannubi. 

There are two main valleys in the Barolo production zone: the Barolo Valley to the west, and the Serralunga Valley to the east.  La Morra and Barolo itself are the major villages in the western valley, which also encompasses Cherasco, Novello, Roddi d’Alba, Castiglione Falletto and Monforte are the major towns;  Diano d’Alba and Grinzane Cavour are also included in this district.  There are distinct characteristics that are indigenous to the wines of various area:  the wines of Serralunga Valley have suggestions of licorice and tar, the Barolos of Serralunga itself display camphor and mint; those from Castiglione Falleto have a pronounced licorice characteristic as well as nuances of spice, mint, dried peaches, and prunes; those from Monforte recall spices, mint hazelnuts, and almonds.  The wines from the Barolo Valley bring up underbrush and truffle, as well as licorice.  Those wines from the village of Barolo have less of a licorice character but more suggestions of underbrush, truffles, and mint.  The wines of la Morra, especially those from the slopes, combine nuances of white truffle, mint, tobacco, spices, cherries, and blackberries and those from Cannubi display motes of white truffles, underbrush, raspberries, and black cherries. 

 

 

All of the Barolo and Barbaresco that we have in the store:

 

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

 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
Price: $93.50       Your Price: $82.28
Quantity in Stock: 11

(93 Points) Wonderful aromas of crushed berries, from strawberry to raspberry. Full-bodied, with big, velvety tannins and a long, fruity finish. Dense and balanced. Needs time to soften. A precise red. Best after 2013. 1,200 cases made. -JS Wine Spectator Issue: Jul 31, 2009

 

2009 Altare Barolo Brunate
Price: $132.00    Your Price: $116.16
Quantity in Stock: 4

(96 Points) The 2009 Barolo Brunate immediately catapults you into a realm of elegance and finesse that reaches the divine. The 2011 vintage will be the last edition of this wine because Altare lost his lease in this celebrated vineyard. Instead, he will start producing a Cannubi expression to be released in two years’ time. The Brunate is generous in fruit and texture from the outset. The wine grabs your attention thanks to the thick layers of dark fruit, spice, leather and tar that run through it. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2035.

Elio Altare is never a man to mince words. He tells the rags-to-riches story of Barolo with conviction, passion and firsthand knowledge. La Morra went from having a handful of farmers (five or six) back in the early 1970s to dozens of estates today. Back then, grape growers were considered so low in social rank, many could not find local women to marry. They imported wives from poorer regions of southern Italy, like Calabria and Basilicata, to live in the Langhe. “C’era la fame qui,” he says. (“We were starving.”) From his panoramic porch overlooking the Frazione Annunziata section of La Morra, he sighs, “Just look at us now.” He tells the story of his first trip to France: “It blew my mind that producers in Burgundy were buying Porsches and yachts with just a few hectares of vine while we were dirt poor.” Highly influenced by that trip (his use of French barrique for aging Nebbiolo is a prime example), Altare returned to Italy and vowed to shake things up. He most certainly did. Wine Advocate #207 Jun 2013 Reviewer: Monica Larner

 

2003 Azelia Barolo Bricco Fiasco Magnum
Price: $195.00Your Price: $171.60
Quantity in Stock: 1

 (89)The 2003 Barolo Bricco Fiasco is a deep, brooding wine loaded with intense dark fruit, tobacco, leather and grilled herbs. Though it offers better harmony than the normale, the wine’s balance is ultimately defined by the hard, coarse tannins that are typical of the vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2019. Wine Advocate # 173, Oct 2007

2004 Azelia Barolo Riserva Voghera Brea
Price: $129.00    Your Price: $113.52
Quantity in Stock: 4

(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

 

2010 Azelia Barolo Margheria
Price: $87.00       Your Price: $76.56
Quantity in Stock: 13

A vineyard of a rare beauty. Entirely facing south the vineyard is situated in the centre of the commune of Serralunga on the hill which extends below the castle of the town.

The clayey and calcareous soil of Serralunga d'Alba shows all its complexity. The tufaceous marls confer richness in extracts and power to the wine. Minerality and sapidity: Margheria widely expresses the strong and austere character of this town.

 

2010 Azelia Barolo Bricco Fiasco
Price: $87.00       Your Price: $76.56
Quantity in Stock: 2

From the top of this steep and warm hill in Castiglione Falletto, the first Cru vinified separately. Historical Cru produced since 1978. A unique value for the family. Superlative harmony and elegance: the vines age, 65 years on average, gives indescribable aspects.  Enveloping and never-ending flowers and fruits.  Bricco Fiasco ® shows perfectly the radiant personality of Castiglione. Extremely perfumed, floral, with a core of red fruit. Rich, warm, intensely fresh. Ripe tannins.

 

2011 Azelia Barolo DOCG
Price: $43.25       Your Price: $38.06
Quantity in Stock: 10

An impeccable balance. Castiglione Falletto and Serralunga d'Alba match here in a superlative way. Aroma and finesse with power and body at the same time. Sweet nose, with hints of cherry, black currant and licorice. Fruity tannins. A union of characters. Aged for two years in large casks.  this wine has a beautiful bouquet of cherries, fresh flowers, truffle and minty notes very complex, lots of juicy fruit on the tongue with some firm tannins on the finish, tar and rose petals.  finish 45+

2011 Azelia Barolo Margheria
Price: $89.00       Your Price: $78.32
Quantity in Stock: 18

(96 Points) Iron, smoke, spices, rose petal, lavender and mint meld into a core of dark red fruit in the 2011 Barolo Margheria. Here, too, the style is all about finesse, nuance and complexity. Firm tannins convey an overall impression of classicism. The Margheria is the most classic of the wines in the Scavino range. Three years in cask, with natural malos the spring after the harvest are among the choices that give the Margheria its unique personality. This is a terrific showing from the Margheria, a wine that has blossomed considerably since I last tasted it. - vinousmedia.com

2001 Bartolo Mascarello Barolo
Price: $150.00    Your Price: $132.00
Quantity in Stock: 6

(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

 

2010 Boroli Barolo
Price: $45.00       Your Price: $39.60
Quantity in Stock: 5

The bouquet is elegant with hints of red mature fruits, leather, tobacco and sensations of oak, while on the palate the powerful structure emerges with a long persistent finish. It is a long-tasting wine matured in cask and barrique for 24 months and refined in bottle for 18 months. Serving temperature is 19-20°C and it is served with read meats, ripe-strong cheeses. It is excellent also after meal.

 

2010 Conterno Fantino Barolo Sori Ginestra
Price: $109.50    Your Price: $96.36
Quantity in Stock: 8

(95 points)  From 40-year-old vines that enjoy southern exposures, the 2010 Barolo Sori Ginestra is the estate’s most complete and powerful wine. You can tell that the wine is shaped by rich, compact soils similar to what is found in the Mosconi cru. Barolo Sori Ginestra is a generous, richly textured wine with juicy tannins and a succulent mouthfeel. The tannins are not aggressive, but they do leave their mark. Overall, the wine’s sugars, alcohol, fruit and acidity are expertly balanced. Drink: 2017-2033, eRobertParker.com #213, Jul 2014

 

2010 Damilano Barolo Lecinquevigne
Price: $37.50       Your Price: $33.00
Quantity in Stock: 16

(89 Points) As its name suggests, the 2010 Barolo Lecinquevigne sees fruit sourced from five vineyard sites spread over various townships. The wine shows a light garnet color and very tight aromas of wild berry and bitter almond that need more time to evolve. It ages for two years in botte grande. There’s a pleasant earthy quality that gives nice dryness to the finish. It feels compact and tight in the mouth thanks the  firm nature of the tannins. Drink: 2016-2025.  eRobertParker.com #213, Jul 2014

 

2009 Domenico Clerico Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra Magnum
Price: $189.25    Your Price: $166.54
Quantity in Stock: 1

 (94+ Points) One notch down on the intensity ladder is the 2009 Barolo Ciabot Mentin. Less obvious and definitely more flirtatious, this gorgeous wine playfully dangles subtle hints of licorice, dark fruit, anisette and Middle Eastern spice in front of your nose. They morph and transform into something new and unexpected with each swirl of the glass. There’s enough flesh here to keep the wine grounded, but there’s also enough tonic freshness to keep it from feeling heavy. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2028. - Wine Advocate (June 2013)

 

2011 E. Pira Chiara Boschis Barolo Cannubi
Price: $112.00    Your Price: $98.56
Quantity in Stock: 20

(94 points) The 2011 Barolo Cannubi is striking. Rose petals, hard candy, and sweet spices all meld together in a silky, super-expressive Barolo endowed with superb depth and persistence. A dollop of sweetness from the new French oak is evident, but overall, the 2011 is a fairly classic-feeling Barolo. The seamless, pliant finish gives the 2011 tons of near-term appeal, but there is also more than enough depth to allow the 2011 to develop beautifully in bottle for years to come. - vinousmedia.com (March 2015)  eRobertParker.com #219, Jun 2015

 

2007 E. Pira Chiara Boschis Barolo Cannubi Magnum
Price: $333.00    Your Price: $293.04
Quantity in Stock: 3

 (92 points)  The 2007 Barolo Cannubi is round, sensual and totally inviting. It is one of the most open and rewarding 2007 Baroli I have tasted thus far. I have a preference for the more vibrant Via Nuova in this vintage, but the Cannubi is a fabulous Barolo to drink now and over the next few years. The uninterrupted warmth of the year did not allow for the fruit in this due south-facing parcel to develop its full aromatics, which is the only thing that keeps the score from going higher. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2020.  Wine Advocate #193, Feb 2011

 

2007 E. Pira Chiara Boschis Barolo Cannubi
Price: $165.00    Your Price: $145.20
Quantity in Stock: 36

(92 Points) The 2007 Barolo Cannubi is round, sensual and totally inviting. It is one of the most open and rewarding 2007 Baroli I have tasted thus far. I have a preference for the more vibrant Via Nuova in this vintage, but the Cannubi is a fabulous Barolo to drink now and over the next few years. The uninterrupted warmth of the year did not allow for the fruit in this due south-facing parcel to develop its full aromatics, which is the only thing that keeps the score from going higher. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2020. - The Wine Advocate

 

2006 Giacomo Borgogno Barolo
Price: $87.75       Your Price: $77.22
Quantity in Stock: 5

(93 Points) The 2006 Barolo is the finest young, straight Barolo I have tasted from Borgogno in a long time, maybe ever. It embodies everything that Barolo is, from the mysterious bouquet to the mid-weight expression of fruit to the firm yet regal tannins. This is simply gorgeous juice. A sensual melange of sweet dark cherries and leather lead to freshly cut roses, tar and licorice in this deceptively medium-bodied wine. It reminds me of the Baroli I tasted as a young person, the wines that taught me the breadth that only Nebbiolo is capable of. The powerful finish suggests the wine will age for a number of years, but with some air, the 2006 is striking even today. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2036. Wine Advocate #197 Oct 2011

 

1995 Giuseppe Mascarello Barolo Riserva Monprivato Ca' d'Morissio
Price: $395.00    Your Price: $347.60
Quantity in Stock: 1

(94 Points) The 1995 Barolo Riserva Monprivato Ca d’Morissio is incredibly rich, powerful and young. Dark cherries, minerals and flowers come to life as this dense Barolo opens up in the glass. An array of tobacco, smoke and licorice nuances linger on the eternal finish. This youthful Barolo is undoubtedly one of the stars of the 1995 vintage in Piedmont. The wine is approachable today, but will be even better with another few years in bottle. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025. In the Cellar #1109, Nov 2009

 

2007 Michele Chiarlo Cerequio Barolo Langhe
Price: $97.50       Your Price: $85.80
Quantity in Stock: 4

The Cerequio vineyard’s soil composition and especially mild climate are qualities that make it one of the most prestigious crus of the Langhe. Rigorously selected grapes for this auspicious bottling come from an area called the “balcony of the Langhe,” situated at 1,200 feet in elevation within the La Morra commune. With tortonian calcareous Sant’Agata marl, the soils have a bluish color due to the high content of magnesium and manganese. In the cellar, high-temperature fermentation on the skins is followed by aging in 700-liter oak tonneaux and then in bottle before release.  Shows ample black fruit and spice aromas and flavors in a rich, full body with healthy tannins and a lingering finish.

 

2009 Oddero Barolo
Price: $50.50       Your Price: $44.44
Quantity in Stock: 3

A blend of three different vineyards, Bricco Chiesa, Capalot and Bricco Fiasco, Bricco is the highest part of the hill.  This wine is the largest production here at Oddero, they make 40,000 bottles. Beautiful bouquet of truffle, red cherry liqueur like fruit and fresh rose petals, very rich and seductive, even better on the second day. Opens up very nicely with a day int he glass, a bit tightly wound at first but has wonderful depth and structure for such an approachable vintage, a solid core of cherry fruit with a long layered finish. finish 50+

 

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.

 

2009 Paolo Conterno Barolo Riva Del Bric
Price: $51.00       Your Price: $44.88
Quantity in Stock: 9

From slightly younger vines in the best exposed area of Ginestra, the Riva Del Bric is one of the best values to be found in Barolo. The grapes are hand harvested near the end of October (about 3 weeks earlier in the heat of 2007) and are macerated for almost three weeks. It ages for 30 to 36 months in 35 HL French Oak casks.

2007 Paolo Conterno Barolo Ginestra Riserva DOCG
Price: $117.00    Your Price: $102.96
Quantity in Stock: 6

 

2009 Luciano Sandrone Barolo Cannubi Boschis
Price: $186.00    Your Price: $163.68
Quantity in Stock: 11

(96+) The single-vineyard 2009 Barolo Cannubi Boschis opens with intense focus and sharpness. Beyond its dark color and bold appearance is a stunning embroidery of delicate floral and wild berry aromas. It’s easy to recognize each distinct layer: licorice, tar, pressed violets, dried mint, white truffle and wet earth. Silky tannins, long and fine, give the wine structure and longevity. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030.  Wine Advocate #207 Jun 2013 Reviewer: Monica Larner

 

2011 Scavino Barolo Bric Dell Fiasc
Price: $99.00       Your Price: $87.12
Quantity in Stock: 4

Here the Nebbiolo grapes were always the best: consequently in 1978 Enrico convinced his father Paolo to vinify these grapes separately and show for the first time the potential of this site. One of the first grand cru to be made as single vineyard Barolo. Image and identity of Paolo Scavino winery.

In the Fiasco vineyard the Tortonian and Helvetian soils cross each other combining a great finesse and power. Classy and classic expression of Nebbiolo which requires time to develop all its complexity is Bric dël Fiasc®. The texture characterizes this Barolo: earthy imprint, density of fruit, vibrant and refined tannins. The acidity supports the important structure of this Barolo and lifts the nose which is complex, mineral, balsamic. Little red fruits and licorice are typical notes in Bric del Fiasc

 

2009 Paolo Scavino Barolo
Price: $58.50       Your Price: $51.48
Quantity in Stock: 2

(89 points)  The 2009 Barolo is laced with dried berry, cassis, anise seed, chopped mint and garden herb. Impressive aromatic intensity lifts straight from the glass, yet the mouthfeel is more muted. Dark concentration is backed by firm tannins and shallow, lean consistency. The finish is dry and almost dusty. That emptiness on the mid-palate is common in the 2009 vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2023.  Wine Advocate #207 Jun 2013

 

2011 Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo Tre Tine Magnum
Price: $330.00    Your Price: $290.40
Quantity in Stock: 6

2011 Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo Tre Tine
Price: $149.75    Your Price: $131.78
Quantity in Stock: 10

Rinaldi's 2011 Barolo Tre Tine is super-expressive and gorgeous today. Dark red cherry, plum, cloves, new leather, rose petal and mint notes are all wonderfully alive and delineated. The Tre Tine is a blend of fruit from Ravera, Cannubi-San Lorenzo and Le Coste, all in the town of Barolo. In the warm 2011 vintage, the significant presence of fruit from Ravera, a high-altitude site, gives the Tre Tine its sense of freshness and linear energy. The Brunate is a bit richer and creamier, but today, I have a slight preference for the Tre Tine, as it is fresher, more vibrant and better balanced, at least today. Best of all, the 2011 will drink well with minimal cellaring. -- Antonio Galloni..93 pts

 

2009 Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo Brunate Le Coste
Price: $150.00    Your Price: $132.00
Quantity in Stock: 11

(93 Points) The 2009 Barolo Brunate - Le Coste shows immense beauty with a delicate aromatic embroidery of dried tobacco leaf, cigar box, dried cherry, laurel leaf and licorice. Of these descriptors, tobacco remains by far the most noticeable. The wine glides smoothly over the palate thanks to its integrated tannins and exceptional silkiness. Five to ten more years in the bottle will undoubtedly usher forth even more beauty to behold. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2028.   Wine Advocate #207, Jun 2013

 

2006 Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo Cannubi Lorenzo
Price: $149.75    Your Price: $131.78
Quantity in Stock: 10

(94 points)  The 2006 Barolo Cannubbio is fabulous. Roses, sweet spices, dark cherries, minerals and licorice are some of the notes that emerge from this deceptively medium-bodied Barolo. Cannubi is the most famous hillside in Barolo for a number of reasons, not the least of which is a unique terrain where the two main soil types of the Langhe – the sandier composition of the western part of the zone and the more compact terrain of the eastern parts – are found in alternating layers. Rinaldi’s Cannubbio captures the floral qualities of Nebbiolo but with surprising muscle to back things up. There is a very slight hint of sweet spice on the finish that suggest at least part of the barrels are relatively new. Those subtle tones should dissipate over time. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2031.  Wine Advocate #192 Dec 2010

 

2005 Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo Brunate Le Coste
Price: $161.25    Your Price: $141.90
Quantity in Stock: 3

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

 

2003 Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo Cannubi (San Lorenzo) / Ravera
Price: $156.00    Your Price: $137.28
Quantity in Stock: 3

 (91 Points) The 2003 Barolo Cannubi(San Lorenzo)/Ravera is sweet and ripe with the essence of perfumed sweet cherries and raspberries. It is made in a soft, seductive style that is unusual for this producer and which makes the wine very accessible even at this stage. It is a great choice for near-term drinking yet also possesses enough freshness to age for another decade or more. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2019. Wine Advocate #173, Oct 2007

 

2004 Scavino Barolo Carobric
Price: $102.25    Your Price: $89.98
Quantity in Stock: 4

(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 Cannubi
List Price: $143.75             Price: $126.50
Quantity in Stock: 2

(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

2005 Scavino Barolo Carobric
Price: $98.25       Your Price: $86.46
Quantity in Stock: 8

(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,

 

2009 Scavino Barolo Rocche Dell Annunziata Barolo Riserva
Price: $162.00Your Price: $142.56
Quantity in Stock: 3

Rocche dell’Annunziata is the Barolo Riserva of the Scavino family. An historical, prestigious “grand cru” from La Morra village purchased in 1990.

 

Rocche dell’Annunziata is all about finesse, details, weightless elegance. It’s a symphony of ethereal aromas with harmonic motions. Rose petals, violet, lilac, tar, sweet red cherries, mint, minerals are some of the hallmarks of this beautiful cru. In the texture silk veils, layers that overlap with extraordinary grace yet offering intensity.

 

2009 Vietti Rocche Barolo
Price: $150.00    Your Price: $132.00
Quantity in Stock: 2

(96 Points) The 2009 Barolo Rocche is a solid, unwavering expression that brings the intensity meter even higher. Sweet red fruit, licorice, leather and moist pipe tobacco are some of the many layers that peel back from the bouquet. The balance, structure and persistence of the wine are all superb. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2036.  If forced to inhabit a desert island that only served the wines of a single producer, I would want Luca Currado to be that supplier. He excels at everything he does from his castle perch at the heart of Castiglione Falletto. Despite the difficult 2009 season, his wines remain extraordinary. In fact, they are among the best I tasted from the vintage.  Wine Advocate #207 Jun 2013 reviewer: Monica Larner

 

2011 Vietti Barolo Ravera
Price: $170.00    Your Price: $149.60
Quantity in Stock: 3

“Sweet rose petals, mint and racy red fruit are some of the signatures in the 2011 Barolo Ravera. Lifted, aromatic and exquisitely nuanced, the Ravera is shaping up to be magnificent. The Ravera brings together nuanced aromatics, chiseled fruit and pulsating energy. What a gorgeous wine it is”.  (Vinous -Antonio Galloni – September 2014)

 

2011 Vietti Barolo Lazzarito
Price: $170.00    Your Price: $149.60
Quantity in Stock: 3

“Iron, smoke and red stone fruits begin to emerge, but only with great reluctance. The Lazzarito is a wine for the patient”.  (Vinous – Antonio GAlloni – September 2014)

 

2011 Vietti Barolo Brunate
Price: $170.00    Your Price: $149.60
Quantity in Stock: 3

“Dark cherry, plum, smoke, menthol and spices meld together in the 2011 Barolo Brunate. Restrained and elegant in the glass, yet with fabulous depth, the 2011 Brunate is exceptionally beautiful. The rich, layered finish provides a glimpse of what the future holds. Today, the Brunate is a real showstopper”. (Vinous – Antonio Galloni – September 2014)

 

Barbaresco

 

2010 Albino Rocca Barbaresco Ovello Vigneto Loreto
Price: $70.00       Sale Price: $52.50
Quantity in Stock: 13

(90 Points) The 2010 Barbaresco Ovello Vigna Loreto does not show the same intensity or clarity. It’s a beautiful wine by all standards, but the Barbaresco Ronchi has set the bar impressively high. This vineyard-designate shows drying mineral tones at the back of fresh fruit and savory spice. Surely, it needs more time to find composure. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2022.   Wine Advocate #207, Jun 2013

 

2010 Albino Rocca Barbaresco Duemiladieci
Price: $45.00       Sale Price: $37.50
Quantity in Stock: 12

A very traditional producer with a classic bouquet of red cherry and strawberry fruit laced with pretty floral notes, truffle like earthy highlights, very classic vintage, red licorice spice, very complex bouquet. A big and chewy wine on the tongue, lots of red cherry fruit, bright and zesty exotic spice and pretty floral notes, this wine has a firm hand of acidity and some dry tannins on the finish, even the entry level wines from this vintage need a bit of time, very well built. Long layered finish. finish 45+ Excellent +

 

2010 Albino Rocca Barbaresco Ronchi
Price: $55.00       Sale Price: $39.60
Quantity in Stock: 7

Wonderful intensity on the nose, exotic spices, licorice and smoky insence notes to the red cherry liqueur like fruit and fresh flowers and herbs, this vineyard site is only 4 hectares vines were planted in 1970 only 1500 cases produced, they do use 20% new barrique and you get a little oak spice, vanilla and cinnamon very complex bouquet or aromas. A big and chewy wine on the tongue with layers of zesty red berry fruit and a firm hand of acidity and tannins, a very young wine but has everything in balance just needs time. Finish 50+ Most Excellent

 

2010 Batasiolo Barbaresco
Price: $44.00       Your Price: $38.72
Quantity in Stock: 6

 

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

 

2011 Cantina Del Glicine Barbaresco Vignesparse
Price: $40.75       Your Price: $35.86
Quantity in Stock: 23

A small producer from Nieve winery dates back to 1510, that is very old for this region, this is a tiny estate, they have vineyard in the townships of curra and marcareno, scattrered vineyards as the name refers to a blend of two different terrains inside of Nieve, 9000 bottles produced.  This wine has a classic bouquet of exotic spices, dried flowers, red cherry liqueur like fruit, very pretty bouquet, cement fermentation, very clean pure style.  Delicious tart red berry fruit on the tongue with an array of spices, and tongue tingly mineraliity through the finish pretty floral notes, has some tannins here at the end but lots of fruit to match quite drinkable but will be better with a few years in the bottle.  Finish 45+    Excellent +  

 

2006 Dante Rivetti Barbaresco Bricco de Neueis Riserva
Price: $84.00       Your Price: $73.92
Quantity in Stock: 11

Smoky notes here along with a good amount of dark spices, tar and rose petals and red cherry fruit on the nose. A good amount of ripe rich cherry liqueur like fruit, a nice hand of tannins and acidity here, very concentrated and rich with an array of dark spices, truffle and a long layered finish, very well balanced needs a day to open up but has all the right stuff and in proportion.   Finish 50+ Most Excellent

 

1990 Dante Rivetti Barbaresco Bricco de Neueis Riserva
Price: $150.00    Your Price: $132.00
Quantity in Stock: 7

A good amount of dark spices and earth here black truffles, dried rose petals and dark cherry fruit. A very smooth and silky wine on the tongue with a good hand of exotic spices, dried floral notes through the finish, wonderful balance and this wine could go another decade or more in your cellar. Finish 45+ Most Excellent +

 

1996 Dante Rivetti Barbaresco Bricco de Neueis Riserva
Price: $108.00    Your Price: $95.04
Quantity in Stock: 8

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

 

2010 Icardi Barbaresco "Montubert"DOCG
Price: $44.00       Your Price: $38.72
Quantity in Stock: 4

(93 Points)  Icardi’s 2010 Barbaresco Montubert opens with dark concentration and a tight aromatic embroidery of tar, cola, licorice, cedar, dried cherry and black currant. The personality here is steady, strong and smart. Firm Nebbiolo structure holds it together beautifully. There is an initial shyness or restraint that unwinds as the wine spends more time in the glass. You can count on the same softening to occur with more cellar aging. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.

Founded in 1914, Icardi is located between the Langhe and Monferrato regions and is run by brother and sister team Claudio and Mariagrazia Icardi. The estate boasts 75 hectares of vines of which ten are farmed according to biodynamic principles.  Wine Advocate #207, Jun 2013

 

2007 La Spinetta Barbaresco Starderi
Price: $149.25    Your Price: $131.34
Quantity in Stock: 3

(94 points) The 2007 Barbaresco Vigneto Starderi bursts from the glass with red berries, sweet spices, roses and mint, all of which come together on a powerful, richly structured frame that is the hallmark of Barbareschi from Neive. The Starderi is the most tannic of the estate’s 2007s but it is a wine with significant promise and a long road ahead of very fine drinking. Anticipated maturity: 2017-2027. Wine Advocate #192 Dec 2010

 

2010 La Spinetta Valeirano Barbaresco
Price: $162.00    Your Price: $142.56
Quantity in Stock: 4

Fruit for the 2010 Barbaresco Vigneto Valeirano is harvested at 450 meters above sea level in the Neive township. These conditions shape a radically different character. This wine is precise and sharp with finely etched tones of spice, dark berry and wet earth. The overall structure and power of the wine is super elegant and immediate. You can safely put this bottle away for years. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2035.  Wine Advocate #207 Jun 2013 Reviewer:  Monica Larner

 

2010 La Spinetta Barbaresco Starderi
Price: $162.00    Your Price: $142.56
Quantity in Stock: 3

(95 points) The 2010 Barbaresco Vigneto Starderi is born in a vineyard that sits at 330 meters above sea level. Giorgio tells me that the challenge here is crafting a wine with both elegance and power. Thanks to ideal growing conditions in 2010, he has succeeded at his task. Firm structure is supported by fleshy fruit tones and elegantly integrated spice. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2030.  Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue # 207 - Jun 2013)

 

2010 La Spinetta Gallina Barbaresco
Price: $162.00    Your Price: $142.56
Quantity in Stock: 6

(94 Points) The 2010 Barbaresco Vigneto Gallina comes from low-yield producing old vines in Neive. The wine is immensely pleasurable and bright with beautiful aromatic intensity that shines bright from the glass. Only 900 cases are produced. This vineyard expression offers notable freshness and brightness that make it suitable for long cellar aging. This is a truly magnificent wine. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2028. Wine Advocate #207 Jun 2013 Reviewer: Monica Larner

 

2006 La Spinetta Barbaresco Valeirano
Price: $140.75    Your Price: $123.86
Quantity in Stock: 13

(91 Points) The 2006 Barbaresco Vigneto Valeirano is another exuberant wine. Here, too, the aromatics literally jump out of the glass, as layers of perfumed super-ripe fruit are intermingled with a persistent vein of minerality. The powerful, focused Valeirano offers outstanding balance, but needs a few years in bottle for the tannins to melt away. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2021. Wine Advocate # 185, Oct 2009

 

2010 Luigi Giordano Barbaresco Cavanna
Price: $40.75       Your Price: $35.86
Quantity in Stock: 13

Cavanna is the vineyard name on the river steep slope very different from the gold coast.  A good bit of fresh earth, truffle like notes on the nose, dried flowers, insence, spices very complex bouquet red cherry fruit.  A very pure style of Barbaresco with lots of juicy cherry berry fruit tangy acidity and an array of spices, truffle, red licorice and a long tannic finish but has lovely balance this wine needs an osso bucco with truffle risotto, this wine exudes the pure essence of the Piemdont. Finish 50+    Most Excellent

 

2010 Luigi Giordano Barbaresco Asili
Price: $57.00       Your Price: $50.16
Quantity in Stock: 11

This wine has a classic bouquet white truffles, red cherry fruit very complex spiced, earth and fruit aromas and although the wines were just opened already a fantastic bouquet.  A very elegant wine on the tongue with a crescendo of tannins and spice coming in at the end but has a solid core of ripe delciious cherry fruit, very long finish, this wine needs time but has all the right pieces.  Finish  50+    Most Excellent +  

 

2010 Marchesi Di Barolo Barbaresco
Price: $51.00       Your Price: $44.88
Quantity in Stock: 7

A very pretty bouquet of red cherry fruit with truffle and exotic spices, dried rose petal and red licorice very well endowed. A solid core of red cherry fruit with an almost liqueur like concnetration, with dry tannins at the end and an array of that spice and floral nuance from the nose through the finish. Finish 45+ Excellent +

 

1997 Oddero Barbaresco DOCG
Price: $85.00       Your Price: $74.80
Quantity in Stock: 17

 

2010 Pelissero Barbaresco Vanotu
Price: $90.00       Your Price: $79.20
Quantity in Stock: 7

(94 Points) The 2010 Barbaresco Vanotu is an extremely persuasive expression of Nebbiolo that opens to a dark, brooding color, thick concentration and an attractive dark garnet hue. The personality here is overtly savory and masculine with layers of cured meat and leather that support a wider offering of pressed cherries and tar. The generosity is outstanding. The only element out of place is the tannin that is spectacularly young at this point. This wine won’t show its best side for years more to come. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2035. Giorgio Pelissero has a good amount of news to report from his corner of the Barbaresco appellation. He is putting the finishing touches on a new winery with extra room for storing old vintages. He is also about to announce the acquisition of four additional hectares that will bring his total vineyard holdings to an impressive 40 hectares (with 15 hectares of Nebbiolo in the Barbaresco denomination). Wine Advocate #207 Jun 2013 Reviewer: Monica Larner

 

2011 Pelissero Barbaresco Nubiola
Price: $42.00       Your Price: $36.96
Quantity in Stock: 17

(94 Points)  The 2011 Barbaresco Nubiola is exceptionally beautiful and expressive. Spices, dark red stone fruits, mint and leather all meld together in a pliant, expressive Barbaresco that will drink well early. Sweet floral notes, anise and rose petal are laced throughout the finish. Ripe, silky tannins provide the backdrop for a gracious, understated Barbaresco. The 2011 brings together the freshness of the 2010 with the fruit density of the 2009, a pretty appealing combination in my book. -- Antonio Galloni

 

2010 Produttori del Barbaresco - Barbaresco
Price: $40.50       Your Price: $35.64
Quantity in Stock: 5

"Beautiful aromas of white truffles, plums and berries. HInts of spices. Full to medium body with fine tannins and beautiful licorice, berry and fennel seed. Very pretty length. Drinkable now but better in 2015." —James Suckling (April 2014)

"Tangy cherry and raspberry aromas are lifted by flowers and mint on the cool, inviting nose. Silky-sweet and floral, with lovely inner-mouth juiciness to its red berry flavors. Owing to the wine's moderate body and flesh, the tannins show a slightly dryness but the long, juicy finish offers enticing floral perfume. A lovely, sharply delineated Barbaresco at a very reasonable price." —Stephen Tanzer, Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar (November/December 2013)

 

2007 Produttori Pora Barbaresco Riserva
Price: $64.25       Your Price: $56.54
Quantity in Stock: 3

 

2010 Pelissero Barbaresco "Nubiola" Magnum
Price: $88.00       Your Price: $77.44
Quantity in Stock: 14

(94 Points)  The 2010 Barbaresco Nubiola is impeccable. Dark red cherries, freshly cut flowers, mint and crushed rocks take shape in the glass. The style is focused, tense and energetic. Sweet floral, tobacco and spice notes develop in the glass, adding depth, complexity and nuance. The Nubiola often presents a fairly classic array of flavors and textures. The 2010 has a little more volume and depth than normal, which serves to round out some of the contours. A blast of fruit and floral aromatics leaves a lasting impression. Galloni

 

2010 Pelissero Barbaresco Tulin
Price: $90.00       Your Price: $79.20
Quantity in Stock: 10

(94 Points)  Pelissero's 2010 Barbaresco Tulin explodes from the glass with a head-spinning array of aromas and flavors. Rich, full-bodied and intense, the 2010 boasts stunning depth to match its racy, intense structure. Deeply spiced, mentholated notes saturate the full-bodied, voluptuous finish. The combination of fruit and structure is super exciting, to say the least.  Galloni

 

1997 Pelissero Barbaresco Annata
Price: $120.00    Your Price: $105.60
Quantity in Stock: 10

Very exotic bouquet of smoked lunch meat, oriental spices and dark berry fruit, black truffle and more very complex bouquet of aromas.   The tannins here are very silky with round ripe red cherry fruit and an array of that smoked meat, oriental spice and truffle notes through the finish.  Finish 45+  This wine is drinking beautifully right now and that is why it got two votes for first place and two for second putting it close behind the 2001.      KILLER

 

2010 Sottimano Barbaresco Fausoni
Price: $59.75       Your Price: $52.58
Quantity in Stock: 10

this is a single vineyard and is one of their smallest crus 1.5 hecatres and the average vines are 35 years old and they make around 500 cases, a beautiful bouquet of dark cherry and minty, floral notes, exotic spices and red licorice spice. A big and structured vintage for the Piedmont with a host of dried flowers, exotic spices and dry tannins coming in on the finish, this wine needs time but has everything in proportion. Finish 50+ Excellent +