Jay Kline

9.4

La Ca’Növa is now under fifth generation leadership; they used to sell all their fruit to Gaja. Super traditional methods with a twist; they used botti made of Austrian oak instead of Salvonian. Vigna Bric Mentina is a sub cru of the Montefico MGA where the soils are relatively sandy.

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two hours. The 2015 “Vigna Bric Mentina” pours a garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity and no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe Morello cherry, raspberry, strawberry, roses with freshly cut stems, cedar chest, dried herbs and gravelly earth and minerals. There’s also a kiss of VA, just in case you needed a reminder that this is a traditional Italian wine, lol! On the palate, the wine is bone dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and slightly savory. This is absolutely baller. How did I sleep on this producer for so long? Oh yeah…I remember: access. I live in Omaha. Welp…now I have another producer to chase. Drink now with patience (enjoy the ride!) and through 2045. — 3 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over he course of a few of hours The 2017 Riserva “Pora” pours a deep garnet color with medium+ viscosity and no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of Bing cherry, rhubarb, dried orange peel, tomato leaf, espresso, some tar, a bit of leather and dried earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. Of all the vineyards that get selected for Produttori’s Riservas, Pora is the MGA for which I have the least experience. Lack of experience with Pora aside, this is empirically an attractive Barbaresco Riserva. Still early days. Drink now through 2042. Bottle No. 5118/13333. — 8 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

As far as I know, only Moccagatta and Quazzolo make single bottle expressions of the Cole MGA in Barbaresco. Cole is a small, southeast facing vineyard located directly west of the famous Montestefano MGA.

The 2019 pours a deep garnet with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe red fruits: Morello cherry, red rope licorice, red flowers, some tar, orange peel, gravelly earth, some vanilla and gentle warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and texture is grippy. These modern touch on this a little jarring for me early on but after about 30min of air, the character of the site started to emerge and it became a lot more interesting to me. This would be a huge hit for those palates more attracted to more modern leaning producers in the Langhe. Drink now with patience and through 2039. — a year ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of 90 minutes. The 2019 “Margheria” pours a pale 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 red fruit: Morello cherry, raspberry, orange zest, roses, talcum powder, dried herbs, and dry earth. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, super grippy and slightly savory. Ooooof, I love Azelia’s expression of Margheria. It’s so transparent, so elegant. Drink now with patience but better after 2029 and through 2059.

For those who care: Historically, Luigi Scavino (Azelia) tended to treat their wines slightly different, dependent upon MGA. Margheria was getting their most traditional treatment being aged exclusively in Slavonian botti. FWIW, I always felt this was their most exciting single MGA bottling. Now, I believe all of their single MGA’s are treated in the similar, aforementioned fashion. The results speak for themselves. — a year ago

Jay Kline

9.2

As someone who has been described as an Italophile, I’m particularly enamored with the wines of Piemonte. You’ve probably all heard the saying, “the more you learn, the less you seem to know”. Yeah, I don’t know that it really makes sense. Yet, it seems to apply more and more these days. This wonderful bottle from Giovanni Rosso was an entire lesson of its own for me.

Okay, so I’ve been enjoying the Barolo’s from Giovanni Rosso for almost a decade now and it was not until this bottle that I realized this is not their “classico” but instead, a blend of their holdings exclusively throughout Serralunga d’Alba. A sort of “super classico” (I just made that up) I guess one could say. Since the mid-1990’s, they have been best known for their Serralunga parcels in Cerretta (Bricco). Later, in 2004, they were the first to release a single-vineyard bottling of the Serra MGA (not to be confused with the La Serra MGA in La Morra 🙄). More recently, they have picked up parcels in other Serralunga MGA’s including Costabella, Sorano, Lirano, Damiano, as well as the up and coming Meriame and their most famous of all, Vignarionda (the only other MGA from which they do a single-vineyard besides the aforementioned Serra and Cerretta). I know…it’s a lot to absorb. Let’s just get to the notes.

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2019 “Del Comune Di Serralunga d’Alba” pours a pale garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with powerful, heady notes of red (mostly) and black fruit: fresh raspberries, pomegranate, blood orange, roses, talcum powder, freshly tarred roof and dry earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. This is a powerful expression of the 2019 vintage that needs some time to settle down. The fruit profile is quite big but the classic Serralunga structure is there in the background. You can drink now if you’re a hedonist (guilty) but I suspect a bigger reward to come from 2029-2040+. — 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Gallinotto is an official vineyard located within the Giachini MGA. It’s notably unique due to its exposure and soil composition relating much closer to Rocche dell’Annunziata, just a bit lower in altitude. FWIW, I have found that the Barolo of Mauro Molino get more interesting with each passing vintage; presenting a really smart value.

Popped and poured; enjoyed over a two hour period. The 2019 “Gallinotto” pours a bright garnet with a translucent core and a slightly orange rim. Medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, developing with predominantly fresh red fruits: raspberries, cherries, strawberries with some pomegranate, roses, orange peel, gravely earth and gentle warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with sneaky high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. This is a very elegant expression; juicy with a lovely, slick texture. Power is not a word I would use here but it’s very attractive. Drink now and over the next 15 years. — 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. No formal notes due to the setting but yeah, this was pretty special from the beginning. I have long been a fan of Renato Ratti’s “Marscenasco” however Conca, the MGA for which they are most proud of, has been more modern in recent history, spending some time in French barrique (for the record, I lean traditionalist). On top of that, many 2009 Barolo’s have come across overblown to my palate. Yet this was sublime. Proving, once again that there is always something to learn. The fruit was 2009 powerful but balanced with acid and freshness. There was plenty tar and roses and all the tannin one should expect from Conca. Fabulous stuff. Drink now through 2044. — 5 months ago

Jay Kline

9.6

Popped and poured; due to the setting, this was enjoyed over the course of an hour but I would have really preferred to have taken my time with this. I had my first experience with the 2021 Barbaresco’s from Cigliuti last December when I enjoyed the Serraboella. I found that wine to be stunning. As one could probably imagine, I was therefore, really excited to try “Vie Erte” which is sourced from the family’s modest (only a few acres) holdings in the Bricco di Neive MGA. To my palate, this takes things to another level.

The 2021 “Vie Erte” pours a beautiful ruby color with a brilliant, transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with sensational notes Morello cherry, strawberry, stone fruits, pink roses, talcum powder, camphor, sub-Alpine herbs, exotic Eastern spices, dry gravelly earth and minerals. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish lasts for minutes. This is a drop dead gorgeous Barbaresco. The nose alone is enough to send me to Elysium. There’s impeccable balance. Possibly the best Barbaresco I’ve ever had. Drink now through 2061+. — 8 months ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Not to be confused with the La Serra MGA from La Morra. This "La Serra" is actually from the Serra MGA from Serralunga d'Alba. Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2026 “La Serra” 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 Morello cherry, tar, red roses, talcum powder, sweet pipe tobacco, curaçao, gravely earth, new leather, and a mix of exotic spices. 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. This is a tremendous wine that builds with character over the course of time in the glass. Way more exciting than this was back in 2017 (when I last enjoyed this vintage of La Serra). Drink now with patience through 2046. — a year ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of three days and consistent throughout. The 2020 “Baudana” from the eponymous MGA pours a gorgeous, luminous garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with fabulous notes of fresh red roses, Morello cherry, dried herbs, Eastern spices, and dried 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 super elegant. My, my how I love the 2020 vintage in Barolo. They are so easy to enjoy in their youth ever so elegant. Drink now through 2040. — 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Mention “Monvigliero” around any Barolo nut and there is a better than good chance you might witness the following behavior: waxing poetic in hushed tones, sighing, swooning…possibly fainting. Monvigliero truly is the zeitgeist. For over 40 years, Comm. G.B. Burlotto (and Fratelli Alessandria before them), have quietly been making great single-vineyard Monvigliero and it was only in the last 10-15 years that the world started to catch on to the magic that was happening in Verduno. In the last handful of years alone, there have been a flurry of producers with holdings in Monvigliero that have released their own single-vineyard expression. However, what many may not realize is that Enrico Scavino and his daughters have been producing a “Monvigliero” since 2007, making them one of the first half dozen to do so. I’m only suggesting that the Scavino’s knew there was something special there well before the hype train came to the station.

Popped and poured; enjoyed with dinner and over the course of a couple hours. The 2020 “Monvigliero” pours a deep garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. The nose is gorgeous; seemingly darker fruited with blackberry, pomegranate, black cherry lozenges, roses and spice box. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin (though friendly) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and lithe. An elegant wine and downright delicious. I think Paolo Scavino did a fabulous job of capturing the synergy of what Mother Nature gave in the 2020 vintage and the source of their fruit in the heart of the Monvigliero MGA. These are very early days for this wine but it’s already a joy to drink now but I expect this will continue a lovely evolution through 2038, easy. — 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.5

The Scavino family’s holdings in the Rocche dell’Annuziata MGA have always been quite special and at Paolo Scavino, it’s bottled as a Riserva. This 2016 was popped and poured and enjoyed over a several hour period. It pours a deep ruby with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of dark cherry, red roses, some tar, dried herbs, gentle warm spices and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with high tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. There’s wonderful concentration and the finish is grippy, long and delicious. As far as Riserva’s go, this is a winner. And, because this is a 2016, you can drink now (with some patience) if you wanna enjoy in its relative youth but this will undoubtedly last for decades.

Over the last 70+ years, Enrico Scavino was a force behind the family’s expansion in the Barolo region. And while he was never been shy about innovation (Enrico was one of the “Barolo Boys” after all), he was a bit more judicious with his use of new French oak; careful to ensure each vineyard’s story was being told. Increasingly, there has been an even greater lean towards a more traditional touch with less time spent in barrique (very little of it new) and more time spent in botti. And while the quality has never really been an argument, the results are evident in the glass and I’ve been impressed with the wine of the last several years. But I digress, the real news is that Enrico passed away in late February which means Piemonte has lost yet another legend.
— 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

The “V.S. Caterina” is a single vineyard located in the southern most portion of the Lazzarito MGA, in Serralunga d’Alba. This is considered a monopole of sorts since Guido Porro is the sole producer from this vineyard. Geographically speaking, the holdings are ideal with great southwestern exposure, located close to the village of Lazzarito and right next to Vietti’s holdings.

Popped and poured; enjoyed over a period that lasted a couple of hours. The 2015 pours a bright, reflective ruby color with some hits of garnet towards the rim and a transparent core. Medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears and no signs of sediment. On the nose, ripe cherries, strawberries, loads of roses, dried green herbs, and gravely earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and savory. Superb balance. I didn’t buy many 2015’s from Barolo or Barbaresco because I didn’t really like them on release and they didn’t seem to have structure to carry the day. And while the latter may yet be true for extended aging, the 2015’s have been strutting their stuff over the last year, showing off all their solar glory. Drink now and over the next 7 years with ease. — 3 years ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Cappellano is a name that holds a very special place in my heart. The wines from this estate have a tendency to speak to my soul. They too, have a rich history that dates back to the mid/late 19th century. The 1961 was produced during the time period that Francesco Augusto Cappellano was custodian of the estate (along with two other nephews of Dottore Giuseppe Cappellano who, passed away in 1955). Contemporarily, Cappellano is inextricably associated with the Gabutti MGA. Prior to the 1980’s however, Cappellano sourced fruit from multiple vineyards in Serralunga (according to Ken Vastola aka Obi-wan Cannubi).

This particular bottle was opened several hours prior to service. The 1961 Cappellano Barolo pours a pale garnet with a translucent core and a little rust color around the edges; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears and signs of fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous, with Morello cherry, persimmons, beef stock, sage, leather, truffle and dry earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose where there is an almost bloody character. The finish is long and sanguine. Personally, I don’t know this hits the way that Teobaldo and Augusto’s wines do but this is good. Like, really effing good. It’s becoming exceedingly rare to drink old Barolo from producers like this. I feel very fortunate Drink now with patience through 2041+? — 6 months ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Believe it or not, Fratelli Alessandria was the very first to commercially offer a single expression of Monvigliero (1978); three years before Comm. G.B. Burlotto. That being said, both have played a role in defining the style of this, most famous MGA in Verduno.

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The 2010 Monvigliero 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 lovely notes of ripe and tart, mostly red and some dark fruit: wild forest strawberries, mixed brambles, Morello cherry, pomegranate, truffle, roses, dried green herbs, licorice, some tar, forest floor and dry 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 medium+ and slightly savory. I think this is in a really lovely spot and anyone who has multiples should try one during this phase of its evolution. That being said, this has a long life ahead. Drink now with patience through 2050+ — a year ago

Jay Kline

9.1

The Valmaggiore MGA is notable for being a distinctive hillside in Roero, just outside of the Barolo zone. The soils are sandy and make for a more elegant expression of Nebbiolo d’Alba. The 2023 pours a pale 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 red fruits: raspberry, strawberry, red flowers, and exotic spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. If you want your Nebbiolo fix but don’t wanna shell out for Barolo or Barbaresco, this is a smart choice. Drink now through 2033. — a year ago

Jay Kline

9.2

“Bricco Ambrogio” stands alone as the only MGA in the tiny commune of Roddi and it’s almost completely under vine. In fact, the most prominent geological feature in Roddi is the hill of Bricco Ambrogio. While the Lodali family were the first to bottle a single expression, back in the late 1970’s, we largely have Paolo Scavino to thank for the growth of its reputation as a source of depth and balanced Barolo over the last 20+ years.

The 2020 “Bricco Ambrogio” pours a bright, luminous garnet color; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing and predominately red fruited with notes of Morello cherry, cranberry, raspberry, rosebushes, tar, dried green herbs, cedar chest, spices, and gravely earth. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finishes long, grippy and spicy. A lovely Bricco Ambrogio with beautiful balance and sneaky power; arguably the benchmark for the MGA. Drinking well now in its youth (thank you 2020) but will surely gain complexity after 2030 and deliver smiles through 2040+. — 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Served to me double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine appears a deep garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears and no signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with ripe bramble fruits: a mix of blackberries and raspberries with Morello cherry, roses, tar, talcum powder, dried herbs, and gravelly soil. On the palate, the wine is dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and delicious. Alcohol is medium+. Initial conclusions: this could be Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, Pinot Noir or Grenache from Italy or France. Because of the high tannin and talcum powder/tar/roses combo (and the utter lack of staining), my final conclusion is: Nebbiolo; from Italy; from Piemonte; Barolo…from Monforte d’Alba. I chose 2016 because it shows good great balance of structure and fruit. Ooooof…that was too close.

“La Villa” is Fratelli Seghesio’s most precious wine and until now, I can only ever recall drinking their Barolo “classico” and Barbera d’Alba and only on a few occasions. Believe it or not, “La Villa” is the oldest, single MGA bottling from any producer in Castelletto. The name “La Villa” is an old name for an area within Castelletto when it was once a commune all to itself. The distinguishing feature of “La Villa” is the eponymous ridge that runs perpendicular with Collaretto and Vigna Rionda to the east, across the stream of Talloria di Castiglione. The vines facing south are dedicated to their Nebbiolo while the vines facing north are predominately Barbera and Dolcetto. A very tasty Barolo. Drink now through 2035. — 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.1

BTG at Howard Street Wine Merchants. The 2017 Prapò pours a deep ruby with a garnet rim and a transparent, but nearly opaque core. Medium+ viscosity with no staining on the tears. On the nose, this was initially funky stewed cherries, Twizzlers and tar. The fruit profile seemed to freshen up with some air and along came a dozen dark red roses, leather, dried herbs, orange zest, and some asian spices. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. Sometimes I wonder how certain 2017 Barolo’s will age, primarily due to the heat and solar nature of the vintage. This is one that has me scratching my head. Perhaps it’s the healthy southern exposure of the Prapò MGA? It’s drinking well now on the pop and pour but I’m curious how it will show towards the end of the decade? I say drink’em. — 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

The Bricat vineyard is a unique site located within the Gramolere MGA that just so happens to be planted to a healthy percentage of the rare Nebbiolo Rose. Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2014 “Bricat” pours a striking pale garnet color with an orange-ish rim and a transparent core. Medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears and no signs of sediment. On the nose a beautiful perfume of tart cherry, roses, tar, dried herbs and dried earth. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes on the nose. The finish is long, lovely. 2014 was a challenging year throughout Barolo but some producers were able to do quite a lot, despite the challenges. In those cases where hail didn’t annihilate the vines, their efforts in the vineyard to overcome the challenges associated with rain resulted in beautifully honest expressions of the terroir. The 2014 “Bricat” by the Manzone family is such an example. Drink now and through 2034 with ease.
— 3 years ago