Olek Bondonio
Roncagliette Barbaresco Nebbiolo
Barbaresco, Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy
Oh. My. Goodness. I recently made a comment on another tasting note for a 2018 Barolo; pointing out that great producers made killer, classic wines in 2018. This is an even more remarkable example. Popped and poured; consumed over two days. Day 1 had the most beautiful aromatics; Day 2 brought the power. Both brought illumination. This was my first experience with Olek Bondionio. The wine pours a gorgeous, pale garnet color with a transparent core. No obvious staining of the tears. Medium+ viscosity and no signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is intense. A mix of red and dark fruit: Morello cherry, blackberries and positively redolent of roses. There is more, however. Perfumed scents of cedar, dried green herbs and dry earth can be smelled from across the table as the wine sits in the glass. Seriously, my 16 year-old son asked what smelled so good from across the dinner table. I asked him to smell the glass and he said, “yep…that’s it!”. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes on the nose. On Day 1, the wine came across lighter and more Burgundian. On Day 2 it filled out; becoming darker…and bigger with an almost chewy texture. It finishes with a flourish and in a way that only Piemonte can do. It makes an impression. In this case, I’m now a fiend for it. This is a fabulous expression of the Roncagliette MGA. Drink now with patience or enjoy over the next 20 years.
Oh. My. Goodness. I recently made a comment on another tasting note for a 2018 Barolo; pointing out that great producers made killer, classic wines in 2018. This is an even more remarkable example. Popped and poured; consumed over two days. Day 1 had the most beautiful aromatics; Day 2 brought the power. Both brought illumination. This was my first experience with Olek Bondionio. The wine pours a gorgeous, pale garnet color with a transparent core. No obvious staining of the tears. Medium+ viscosity and no signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is intense. A mix of red and dark fruit: Morello cherry, blackberries and positively redolent of roses. There is more, however. Perfumed scents of cedar, dried green herbs and dry earth can be smelled from across the table as the wine sits in the glass. Seriously, my 16 year-old son asked what smelled so good from across the dinner table. I asked him to smell the glass and he said, “yep…that’s it!”. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes on the nose. On Day 1, the wine came across lighter and more Burgundian. On Day 2 it filled out; becoming darker…and bigger with an almost chewy texture. It finishes with a flourish and in a way that only Piemonte can do. It makes an impression. In this case, I’m now a fiend for it. This is a fabulous expression of the Roncagliette MGA. Drink now with patience or enjoy over the next 20 years.
May 14th, 2023
Reminds us of Barbarsco's made in the 70s. Olek's wines stick in our mind like glue.
Reminds us of Barbarsco's made in the 70s. Olek's wines stick in our mind like glue.
Feb 25th, 2018
Barbaresco that's light but flavor runs deep
Barbaresco that's light but flavor runs deep
Feb 21st, 2015
Outstanding, light in colour, light in touch but big beautiful flavours that worked with light vegetables dishes and the main which were beef ribs cooked over wood.
Outstanding, light in colour, light in touch but big beautiful flavours that worked with light vegetables dishes and the main which were beef ribs cooked over wood.
Jun 28th, 2024
Just a beautiful drinking Barbaresco that is ready to go with its lush dark fruits & spice that is balanced & complex.
Just a beautiful drinking Barbaresco that is ready to go with its lush dark fruits & spice that is balanced & complex.
Mar 21st, 20221st time trying this producers wine. Seems to be open & ready showing dark fruits, savory spice, rose petal with tobacco notes.
1st time trying this producers wine. Seems to be open & ready showing dark fruits, savory spice, rose petal with tobacco notes.
Dec 1st, 2021
Dark ruby in color and absolutely closed & reductive for first 3 hrs. I gave up and opened up a beer waiting for this to open. At long last, elegant regal style: mind boggling complexity w/all manner of red dusty fruits mingled with florals, minerals, spices & a sappy resiny herbaceousness. This has lost some weight, it drinks light & lively but still w/great depth of flavor - smooth and lip smacking good w/dusty cherries, herbs, florals on mid palate. Finish is smooth & juicy. Old School Maestro, requires patience and probably peaking right now.
Dark ruby in color and absolutely closed & reductive for first 3 hrs. I gave up and opened up a beer waiting for this to open. At long last, elegant regal style: mind boggling complexity w/all manner of red dusty fruits mingled with florals, minerals, spices & a sappy resiny herbaceousness. This has lost some weight, it drinks light & lively but still w/great depth of flavor - smooth and lip smacking good w/dusty cherries, herbs, florals on mid palate. Finish is smooth & juicy. Old School Maestro, requires patience and probably peaking right now.
Aug 29th, 2021