Barolo, Cuneo
Massolino
Serralunga d'Alba Barolo Nebbiolo 2021
Gaja
DaGromis Barolo Nebbiolo 2014
This 2014 took about a half hour to shed some of its bottle funk and open up to a very lithe, whispery and extremely seductive wine. Hints of classic dried roses, with a bit of herbs and “tar”. Delicate on the verge of fading but lovely. A sunset just as it slips into the horizon. — 5 months ago
G.D. Vajra
Langhe Nebbiolo 2023
Clear, pale ruby in color with a hint of garnet; on the nose, it's clean with pronounced primary aromas of cherries, hibiscus, leather, and cured meat; on the palate, dry with high acidity, high tannins, high alcohol, full body, and pronounced primary flavors of raspberries, strawberries, black tea, and clay pots with a long finish. This wine is complex and intense. There's a bitter flavor that is a little out of balance. Overall, I rate this wine as very good. Definitely needs to breath. — 5 months ago
G.D. Vajra
Barbera d'Alba 2024
More in alignment with WS review: “Cherry, raspberry, violet and mineral aromas and flavors mark this perfumed red. Racy and elegant, with defining acidity. Persistent finish. Drink now through 2028. 3,300 cases made, 1,000 cases imported.” — Bruce Sanderson… Versus WE: “Like a garden at twilight, this Barbera lifts with violets and lavender before diving into a pool of plums and boysenberries, kissed by fresh herbs. The palate mirrors this purple-fruited dance with juicy precision. Give it a slight chill and watch it become the life of the party.” — Jeff Porter. — 5 months ago
Produttori del Barbaresco
Riserva Ovello Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2017
This is an intense, full-bodied wine. A striking minerality with scents of cherry on the nose. On the palate, the rich cherry flavor comes through with beautiful violet tones melding together harmoniously with a ferrous-driven minerality. The finish is long with the violet and cherry flavors making way for iron notes and strong tannins, which are almost too strident on the finish. I see the tasting window starting in 2017 or 2018. I decanted most of the bottle for two hours while leaving a serving in bottle for the second day. These notes are based on second day. Tannins were smoother second day, although still quite strong. I had the 2016 in the fall, and it had more complexity with softer tannins on the finish. — 5 months ago
Cantina Bartolo Mascarello
Barolo Nebbiolo 1998
Opened a few hours prior to service and enjoyed over the course of an hour alongside the 1999 Bartolo. The wine pours a garnet color with a translucent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of Morello cherry, dried roses, tar, truffle, old wood, dried green herbs, and dry gravelly earth. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and savory. Lovely stuff. Compared to the ‘99, this leans a touch more on the elegant side. Delicious with controfiletto di wagyu Drink now with patience through 2048. — 6 months ago
Giuseppe Cortese
Rabajà Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2001
Opened a couple of hours before service. The 2001 “Rabaja” pours a garnet color with a translucent core and fairly significant rim variation; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears and significant sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and desiccated, red fruit: Morello cherry, dried red flowers, truffle, old leather bound books, a mix of organic and inorganic earth and a pleasant blend of cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose where there’s a bit of a Maillard reaction with the fruit showing a touch more stewed. The finish is medium+. Drink now after a couple hours in the decanter but should drink well through 2031. — 5 months ago
Damilano
Lecinquevigne Barolo Nebbiolo 2016
Damilano – Lecinquevigne Barolo – 2016
Barolo DOCG – Piemonte, Italy 🇮🇹
Overview
A classic, elegant Barolo from Damilano, sourced from multiple vineyards across the Barolo commune (“Lecinquevigne” = five vineyards). 100% Nebbiolo, expressing a refined, traditional profile with precision rather than brute force. The 2016 vintage delivers clarity, balance, and aromatic purity, an excellent example of Barolo with both structure and charm.
Aromas & Flavors
Beautifully expressive bouquet of rose petals, dried cherry, tart red berries, orange peel, and subtle spice. The aromatic profile remains lifted and graceful through the glass, maintaining freshness and definition until the last sip.
Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with vibrant acidity and finely knit tannins. Elegant, linear, and well-proportioned. After ~45 minutes of decanting, the wine opens nicely, gaining aromatic depth and textural harmony without losing its Nebbiolo-driven tension.
Food Pairings
Ideal with braised meats, mushroom-based dishes, truffle pasta, veal, or aged hard cheeses. Also compelling with savory, umami-driven plates.
Verdict
A very well-made, classic Barolo that emphasizes elegance and aromatic finesse over power. The 2016 vintage shines here, offering balance, poise, and a clear expression of Nebbiolo’s signature “rose and tart” character.
Did You Know?
Lecinquevigne is Damilano’s interpretation of a multi-vineyard Barolo, designed to showcase the broader Barolo terroir while maintaining consistency and approachability, especially in strong vintages like 2016.
🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
Graceful and expressive rather than imposing. After a short decant, this Barolo truly comes alive, floral, tart, and polished. A refined take on Nebbiolo that rewards patience and attention. — 6 months ago
Jay Kline
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 2021 Classico pours a bright garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose the wine is developing with beautiful notes of ripe Morello cherry, raspberry, tart forest strawberry’s, a whole bouquet of roses, hibiscus, saltwater taffy, tar, assorted green herbs, old wood and dry dusty earth. After about an hour or so, pomegranate enters the chat. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. These are early days but I’m really excited to track how these evolve with time. Drink now through 2051. — 5 months ago