Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Consistent throughout, but this really needed air in order to get going. Initially, this was quite wound up and somewhat backward. However, after about an hour in the glass, a real beauty emerged. The 2017 Costa del Salmino Riserva pours a garnet color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of tart and ripe, mostly red fruit: raspberries, strawberry, Morello cherry, red flowers, red rope, licorice, talcum powder, dried green herbs, new leather and cedar box. 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 chock full of savory minerals. I mean…this bordering bone broth levels of savory, lol. My opinion: these need time to show their best. Drink 2027 through 2047. — 4 hours ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2014 Reserva pours a deep ruby color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of tart and ripe red fruits, Morello cherry, dill, green olives, horse blanket, old wood and dry organic earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and zippy. A super honest and traditional Rioja; a wine of character. It’s good on its own and even better with a variety of food. Drink now through 2034. — 6 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.1

Vintage 2019 | morello cherries, eucalyptus, mon Cherie chocolate, great balance and a lot of potential. Nice bitters. — 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 2014 Classico pours a slightly hazy garnet with a translucent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing. Initially showing notes of stewed red fruits, however with about 30 minutes of air, the fruits freshened up. Morello Cherry, macerated strawberry, dried roses, tar, leather, gravelly earth, and a pleasant mix of cool spices. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium plus; grippy and savory. An often maligned vintage in Piemonte, particularly in Barolo (though some outstanding examples exist). However, in Barbaresco, there was more success and this is an example. Drink now through 2034. — 21 days ago

Rachel Retallick

9.2

2019 vintage — 5 months ago

Barny

9.4

Morello Cherries, spice, mouth filling — 7 months ago

Martinez

9.0

75% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Franc. Notes of dark fruit, Morello cherries, tobacco. Fresh and juicy on the palate — a year ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of three hours. The 2012 Villero pours a pale, slightly hazy garnet with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing and initially a little grumpy with the fruit showing a touch stewed and everything a little muddled. However, with about 30min of air, it started to freshen up! This is a trait I find common with traditionally made Nebbiolo from Barolo and Barbaresco in solar years. Morello cherry, raspberry, bruised strawberry, dried roses, tar, dried green herbs, talcum powder, and 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 grippy. There is so much nuance and yet, the quality is undeniable. Hard to stay away from. Drink now with patience to let it freshen up in the glass after opening but this should drink well through 2037. — 23 days ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Opened about an hour prior to service; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2017 “Lazzarito” 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 ripe notes of mostly red fruit; Morello cherry, raspberry’s and absolutely loaded with alpine herbs, almost like Campari and roses. There is truffle, talcum powder, and some tar for good measure. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Among one of the better 2017 Barolo’s I’ve had. Drink now through 2042+. — 5 months ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed with a simple meal of pasta all’arrabbiata and over the course of a few hours. The 2021 pours a deep ruby 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, orange bitters, exotic spices, black tea, black licorice, some dried green herbs and gravely earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and lithe in body. I’ve long been a fan of Fèlsina fan and their Chianti Classico and Riserva especially so. When it’s a great vintage like 2021? Back up the truck. These will drink well through 2031 with ease. I can’t wait to try the CCR! — 9 months ago