Barolo & Barbaresco
Giacomo Conterno
Riserva Monfortino Barolo Nebbiolo 1941
Gaja
Barbaresco Nebbiolo 2021
Bright Ruby with aromas of dark fruits, spices, oak and floral notes. On the palate flavors of cherry and sweet plum with notes of herb pepper, tobacco, cedar and cacao. Long finish, nice balance with fine soft tannins, ending with oak and earthy notes. Needs a few more years in the bottle! — 8 days ago
Mauro Molino
Barolo Nebbiolo 2010
Leans modern but not too much. Excellent juice. — 6 days ago
Cavallotto
Vigna San Giuseppe Riserva Bricco Boschis Barolo Nebbiolo 2010
Quite deep garnet , just a hint of ruby and a wide garnet , terracotta rim. Touches of chestnut , dark fruits , earthy liquorice , dry spice and black tea . On the palate this is very classically styled , with dark liquorice tinged blackberry, raspberry , spiced black tea and menthol tinged good long length finish . Balanced acaidity and quite high , grippy tannins. With time this is beginning to show quite well , but will not doubt improve over the next 5 perhaps 10 years and last well a further 10 . Really quite classic and imposing in style , but detailed and complex. — a month ago
G.D. Vajra
Albe Barolo Nebbiolo 2021
Aldo Vaira took control of family vineyards in 1968, he was just 15 years old. Today, G.D. Vajra consists of 150 acres, mostly around the commune of Barolo. Ruby with a rich bouquet of fruit, spices & floral notes, fruit from several vineyards, aged 26 months in Slavonian oak. On the palate flavors of cherry & raspberry with notes of pepper, cinnamon & floral, slight earthy notes. Long finish, nice balance with fine soft tannins ending with earthy floral notes. Enjoyable now, a few more years will benefit. — 13 days ago
Gaja
DaGromis Barolo Nebbiolo 2010
Celebrating 15 year anniversary! Drinking beautifully after a 30 min decant. Brickish coloring. Very traditional tasting notes...subdued red fruits with tobacco and earthy notes. Tannins have mellowed but are still present. Have several more so I'll be updating this annually now! Drank at Amici byob in Cherry Hill, NJ (excellent food and service!). — a month ago
Jay Kline
Conterno’s “Monfortino” Barolo Riserva (early vintages like this one were labeled as “Stravecchia” and “Extra Barolo”) practically defined the Riserva style. In many ways, one could make the arguement that it blazed the trail for Barolo’s reputation as being the age-worthy wine it is today. Back in the early days, Monfortino was a blend of purchased fruit. Control of Cascina Francia, in Serralunga d’Alba, did not come until the late 1970’s. I can’t be sure but I believe the fruit used to be sourced from Monforte d’Alba and specifically from Le Coste, Bussia and possibly others.
This bottle was opened several hours prior to service. The 1941 Monfortino pours a pale garnet/rust color with significant rim variation and a translucent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears and light sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of Maraschino cherry, menthol, Tootsie Roll, espresso macchiato, walnut, and truffle. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin (fully integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Sublime. Getting to experience an 80+ year old wine is always a special treat. Getting to experience a Barolo from World War II, during one of the darkest periods in Italy’s past, is extraordinary. Getting to experience early Monfortino (pre-estate) made by Giacomo himself…well, it is drinking history. I nearly got emotional. While it’s clearly is showing its age, the 1941 shows its class and has some impressive moves. We delighted as it danced across the palate, proving that it still has stories to tell. Drink now if you ever see a bottle. — 3 days ago