Ruby in color with light intensity and a wide reddish rim.
Fruity nose of red currants, cherries, earth, black coffee, chocolates, chalk and light oak.
Medium bodied with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate with red fruits, earth, light wood, spices, coffee, dark chocolates, vegetables, herbs and black tea.
Medium finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.
This is a very tasty Barbaresco. Easy drinking and elegant, but not as smooth as I expected it to be.
This 5 year old feels like it needs more time in the bottle to mature properly. Will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years. Would be nice to revisit it in 5 years.
This Single Vineyard Nebbiolo is complex and interesting. Good by itself and better with food.
100% Nebbiolo grapes were aged for 2 years in large oak barrels. A small production of only 3,500 bottles.
14% alcohol by volume.
91 points.
$80. — 6 months ago
Went back to the 2020 at Il Baretto with Curly again, $210. Perhaps I have been spoiled with the Ravera since then? Why can’t I have just left well alone? — 23 days ago
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. — 18 days ago
White lily flower and peach notes, then a lot of mint and marigold around the cool, herbal center. Beautiful deep gold color in the glass. Great length and lean but intriguing texture; some light curry notes develop with time. I love how this variety balances the floral and the mineral, reminding me of pond lilies. Lean and juicy like fresh white peach juice. — 4 years ago
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of dinner. The 2019 “Roccalini” pours a garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with gorgeous notes of ripe Morello cherry, raspberry, roses, new leather, dried orange peel, dried green herbs, a touch of anisette and dried 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. IIRC, before Paolo started making wine under his own label, the fruit from Roccalini used to go to Giacosa. Regardless, the quality and character is special which is why it is consistently one of my favorites in all of Barbaresco. Now, if only I had more access to it. Maybe @Lyle Fass can do something about it? Drink now through 2039+. — a month ago
Tasted blind . Slightly cloudy, quite light garnet and wide garnet rim . Slightly funky on the nose , slightly deeper darker fruits , quite light in frame , slightly ethereal . Wild strawberry , raspberry , light herbal hints . Quite reserved and elegant on the palate , quite light tannins , fresh acidity . Slightly simple , but ok length finish. I would drink this now and over the next 5 -8 years. — 10 months ago
N:Deep black cherries with an acidic raspberry lift. Tarry northern Italy. Black/red. Some interesting musty barnyard/funk goodness.
P: Upon initial pnp, this was dry as a bone.Really opens up and jucifies with air and a chx/prosc/mozz sand.
Still very black w red overtones.
Little tannic grip on the back end esp.
I can’t see this lasting long once popped.
13% . To find the vintage, you have to look closely, bottom right side of label.
Delish!
The wife gets white pepper and strawberry as well. — 5 years ago
Tegan Marriott
A Barolo for the yearners. Myself I had high expectations for this drop. Here's a small descriptor- the flavors are commending & perfectly respectable ,alas slightly cloying. — 23 days ago