Aaron Tan

9.0

Aced this blind, though I felt the palate weight does lean more towards a Langhe Nebbiolo by convention.
Like the blinded Margaux on the table, the nose led with Morello cherries, but without new oak and more layers such as aromas of dried roses, leather, star anise, and earth. The trademark Nebbiolo tannins and acidity on the palate was what scored the clincher for me. Lighter than expected for the level of tannins, but I felt it was still balanced especially with the mouth-filling mid-palate fruit (mixed berries here). Finishes with spice and fresh acidity. It’s a dangerous drink given how elegant it is at 14.5% abv. Best red of the night!

NB: The 2017 Blue Label Ascheri Barolo was made with a blend of fruits from La Morra, Verduno, and Serralunga. Fermentation was a 50% mix of 15-day batch and 25-day batch with submerged cap. Aging was for 24 months in large Slavonian oak barrels (70% new oak and 30% used) and for 12 months in stainless steel before bottling. It’s interesting to note how little wood character was imparted into the wine using large format barrels, despite the high percentage of new oak. I would imagine that one of the roles of this cuvée at Ascheri is just to season the new barrels for use in the better cuvées. — 25 days ago

Daniel P. Drake

9.1

This afternoon at a late lunch we were served the 2011 Giacomo Borgogno & Figli Barolo.

In the nose there was cherry, strawberry, plum, licorice, dried roses, spice, tar, ckay pot and dusty earth.

On the palate there was strawberry, cherry, raspberry, red currant, anise, spice, leather and earth.

This wine is full bodied with a smooth velvety mouthfeel medium + acidity and medium + grippy mouthcoating tannins that seemlessly move to a long red and dark fruit dusty earth finish. Definitely a nice bottle of wine and would gladly have this bottle again. We have had hot weather this week which has broke us out of the 40 and 50 degree weather. It has been definitely needed and seems to have woken everyone out of their winter malaise. I wish everyone a wonderful weekend. Please stay safe and healthy, Nostrovia! 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — 14 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

Located halfway up the hill dominating principal valley of Barolo, lined by vineyards, lies a precious 15th century Abbey of Annunziata. Medium Ruby with complex aromas of berry fruits, oak and fresh floral scents. On the palate dried cherry, tobacco, licorice, espresso and fresh herbs give this full-body wine grace and elegance. Soft fine dusty tannins, with earthy notes, on a well balanced frame makes this hot vintage wine approachable today as well as have room to run over the next decade. Very Nice! — 13 days ago

Severn Goodwin

9.5

1967; 3H Decant.

Nose has dried roses, tar, dried orange peel, dried Bing cherries, wet leather, moist leaves and shaved dark chocolate.

Palate has dehydrated tart cherry, dried orange zest, moist garden soil, sweet cherry notes, medium tannins and light acidity remains.

Evolving and expanding with each sip, complex flavors continue to reveal, not slowing down at all.

A truly exceptional bottle of wine. Made by Beppe Coppa, one of the greatest Lange winemakers. A powerful vintage according to my trusted source on old Italian wine. — 5 days ago

Josh Morgenthau

9.6

This is simply an intense, masterful, delicious bottle. High tone, with an intricate and developing nose of rose water, amaretto, fresh sawdust, rock dust, and white pepper. Palate is intense with long deep juicy red cherry feel, and powerfully grippy but finessed tannins. Rounds out with tar and crushed granite, and a long building finish. Sheesh @Lyle Fass — 9 days ago

Guillermo Gonzalez

9.0

Cofermented Nebbiolo and arneis. Red fruits, bit of potted soil, faint effervescence. Piedmontese beaujolais?! Perfect chilled with sausage and pepper pizza. Thanks to the Vicia team for the new wine shop. — 7 days ago

Mike Saviage

9.3

Tawny reddish color with bricking and light rims. While it looks thin in the glass, the nose packs a wallop. Notes of black cherries, rose petals, some dark wood, some licorice and a bit of tar. Very fragrant. In the mouth it's solid but missing a little in the mid-palate. In a good drinking window. The nose is the thing here. — 3 days ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.3

Been two years. Nose is minty, forestry, dusty wood shavings, some bing cherry and some nice tar, cigar and fresh tree bark after a nice spring rain. Another one of this wines that smells like a scene in nature. Compelling nose. Elegant and juicy but with formidable tannins. This needs air. It will get it. Totally closed initially. But great length. Really great length. Mid palate opens up quickly after initially being closed. Deep, very serious wine. Amazing power, depth and concentration. This needs 5 years but very compelling. My score is too low most likely. — 12 days ago

Severn Goodwin

9.4

2017; Cork pulled for slow oxidation +24H.
A wonderful, mountain Nebbiolo, barely any production, a total gem for any cellar...

See prior notes on this vintage. Nose is initially closed down slightly, but expanding now that it's getting aeration in the glass. — 6 days ago

Steven Gullo

9.7

Developed nose of black truffle, desiccated rose petals, leather, tar. Some dried cherry fruit in the background. Incredibly long finish with bold grippy tannins. — 12 days ago