Jumped back on the horse with an 08 when the 99 proved fake. This one was the real deal. Wasn’t the best Monfortino though. Decanted and let it open for several hours while the Super Bowl unfolded. Go Eagles!!! Layered and foreboding. It didn’t have the best balance with the fruit but it was nonetheless a weighty joy. — a month ago
Floral, herbal, minerality, long finish — 2 months ago
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of several hours and this gained momentum as the minutes rolled by. The 2016 “San Valentino” pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe black and red fruits: black berries, black plum, Morello cherry, spiced meat, old wood, varnish, cumin and dry earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, tangy and slightly savory. These are showing very well at this stage and I don’t expect that to change for many years to come. Drink now with patience (perhaps even a 30min decant) and through 2036. — 12 days ago
Big tannin, herbs, forest floor, minerals. — 3 months ago
Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The 2015 pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with fairly significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe black and red fruits: black cherry, mixed bramble berries, spices, horse blanket, espresso…powerful. On the palate, the wine is dry with high tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and wild. Whoa, the structure is significant. Drink now and through 2040. Bottle No. 07992/14373 — a month ago
2021 vintage. A bit of everything. Esteemed producer. Excellent nose. Front-palate richness. Mid-palate power and presence. Pleasantly astringent and beyond substantial finish. I usually eschew Barbera d'Alba for the resto list but couldn't deny this one. Picked up two cases and may pick up more to have laying around for 1.5-2 years. At the ridiculous resto price of $26.67, I can't afford not to. So delicious. 01.29.25. — 2 months ago
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego
2019 vintage. Last tasted 4.3.24 (9.3) and 10.18.23 (9.3). PNP. Light medium-medium body. In a great spot already with some of the overtly, machismo dryness in previous visits now double-live gonzo. Big camphor/eucalyptus, cola nut, tree bark, semi-ripe cherry, rhubarb. Tannins not far from the proceedings. Maybe, just maybe, gets to 9.4 status in a few years. Seems to have enuff stuff(ing) to handle a 10-15 years hibernation period should you so desire. 03.16.25. — 11 days ago