A Few Bottles From Cascina Sòt

I got the opportunity to taste these bottles a couple of weeks ago. Here are notes from my visit to the cantina in 2023 - Barolista: A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - Visit To Cascina Sòt.

2023 Dolcetto d´Alba, Cascina Sòt

A young, perky nose with notes of red beets, iron and spices. Very good.

The taste is pure and nicely structured with fresh tannins and good blueberry fruit. 

87p   (tasted 2025/09)

2022 Barbera d´Alba, Cascina Sòt

An open, warm nose with notes of ripe raspberries, fried herbs and licorice. 

The taste is forward amd fine with sweet fruit, a very good acidity and a long, balsamic finish.

89p   (tasted 2025/09)

2022 Langhe Nebbiolo, Cascina Sòt

A cool, low keyed nose with notes of Langhe earth, tobacco, ripe cherries and forest floor. Very, very good.

The taste is tight and fine with notes of hard cherry candy, licorice and earth. Very long. 4+ years.

90p   (tasted 2025/09)

2021 Barolo Del Comune di Monforte d´Alba

A deep, layered nose with notes of leather, ripe red cherries, Langhe earth and a touch of menthol. High and fine.

The taste is handsome and refined with lovely cherry fruit, polished tannins and a long, long finish. 8+ years.

93p   (tasted 2025/09)

Six Bottles Of White Bordeaux

G offered up these gems at a tasting in our monthly tasting group in September.

2023 Château Lespault-Martillac

A grassy, spicy nose with notes of white currants, dried up vanilla ice cream and a hint of matchbox. Very, very good.

The taste is cool and elegant with chalky notes and fine yellow fruit. Young and spicy. 4+ years.

91p   (tasted 2025/09)

2021 Château La Louvière

A stony nose with notes of grass, white peach and lemon cream. A touch of sulfur. Youngish.

The taste is dry and fine with notes of quinine, gravel and freshly cut grass. Long and fine.

88p   (tasted 2025/09)

2021 Château Couhins-Lurton

A fresh, grassy nose with notes of grapefruit, chrushed rocks and white flowers. Very elegant.

The taste is tight and dry with laid back yellow fruit, a fine acidity and a long, fresh finish. Needs time, 6+ years.

90p   (tasted 2025/09)

2020 L´Esprit de Chevalier

A cool, delicate nose with notes of gravel, red apples, dry caramel and a hint of smoke. Very fine.

The taste is racy and handsome with notes of sweet lime, peach and dry fudge. Very long.

92p   (tasted 2025/09)

2016 Domaine de Chevalier

A very deep, stony nose with notes of lime, grass, peach and some oaky notes. Lovely.

The taste is structured and very fine with notes of oranges, chrushed rocks, fir wood and spices. The finish goes on and on. Great.

94p   (tasted 2025/09)

2007 Château La Louvière

A deep, somewhat mature nose with notes of dried peach, smoke and wet grass. 

The taste is medium bodied and soft with notes of dried oranges, gravel and dried flowers. A tad short on the finish.

87p   (tasted 2025/09)

2022 PSI, Dominio Pingus

2022 PSI, Dominio Pingus

A fine, herbal nose with notes of sun warm rocks, a mix of blue- and blackberries and fir smoke. Very, very good.

The taste is nicely structured with fine black fruit, some licorice and asphalt notes and fried herbs. A long, dry finish. 4+ years.

91p   (tasted 2025/10)

1989 Bourgogne Passetoutgrains, Domaine Faiveley

1989 Bourgogne Passetoutgrains, Faiveley

A mature (!) lightly perfumed nose with notes of dried strawberries, wet earth, sand and some moist dog fur.

The taste is dry and holding up nicely although the fruit has somewhat faded. A good acidity. Rather short.

83p   (tasted 2025/10)

Tasting New Releases - Sparkles & Whites

Elke Jung arrange once a month a tasting of wines that are to be released on the state monopoly. I attented for the first time a week ago. 

Lots of wines to taste. Below are the sparkles and whites I tasted. I note the release date and the price in SKR (Swedish currency, 1 Euro = 11 SKR). The reds will follow.

2016 Cuvée Speciale Grand Cru, Hervé Dubois

A very elegant, pure nose with notes of peach, cap gun smoke and chrushed rocks. Very fine.

The taste is young, tight and fresh with notes of ripe lemons, sponge cake and chalk. A very fine acidity.

Will be released 2025-11-21 / 579 SKR.

93p   (tasted 2025/10)

2018 Blanc de Noirs, Roebuck Estates

A cool, low keyed nose with notes of chives, smoke and oranges. Very good but a tad thin in the middle.

The taste is dry and nicely structured but a tad avoid of fruit.

Will be released 2025-11-07 / 599 SKR.

86p   (tasted 2025/10)

2021 Special Club, Marc Hebrart

A deep, focused and stern nose with notes of ripe lemons, smoke and yellow flowers. Again, a lovely wine from Marc Hebrart.

The taste is rich and refined, some oaky notes, a wealth of fruit and a long, pure finish. 6+ years.

Will be released 2025-11-14 / 659 SKR.

93p   (tasted 2025/10)

2018 Special, Hervieux-Dumez

A deep, stony nose with notes of birch leaves, lemon caramel and sun warm rocks. Very, very good.

The taste is racy and nicely balanced with fruit and acidity in harmony. A high acidity. 5+ years.

Will be released 2025-11-28 / 659 SKR.

91p   (tasted 2025/10)

2016 Tillington Single Vineyard, Nyetimber

A blend of 73% Pinot Noir & 27% Chardonnay. This English bubbly is a stunner. The nose is deep and handsome with notes of ripe oranges, matchbox, slate and dried flowers. Just stunning.

The taste is rich, concentrated and focused with all nuts and bolts in the right place. I would venture that in 5+ years in could be even better. But quality cost.

Will be released 2025-11-13 / 1199 SKR.

95p   (tasted 2025/10)

2022 Bourgogne Aligoté Les Moutots, Jean-Claude Boisset

A low keyed, elegant nose with notes of spicy lemons, grass and dry fudge. Very, very good.

The taste is nicely structured and pure with notes of lemon cake, grass and white flowers. A very good acidity. A bargain for 249 SKR.

Alreaday released / 249 SKR.

88p   (tasted 2025/10)

2023 Pouilly Fuissé 1er Cru Les Clos, Château Fuissé

A deep, ethereal nose with gorgeous notes of autumn leaves, candied lemons and candle grease. Beautifully perfumed.

The taste is tight and concentrated with brilliant fruit, a cleansing acidity and structure for aging. Great wine.

Will be released 2025-11-06 / 749 SKR.

95p   (tasted 2025/10)

2021 Chardonnay, Mount Eden Estate

A refined, layered nose with notes of ripe lemons, sun warm rocks and chives. Very fine.

The taste is rich and focused with notes of lemon cream, butter cookies and hay. Very long and fresh.

Already released / 599 SKR.

94p   (tasted 2025/10)

2023 Chardonnay, Hirsch

A high, handsome nose with notes of ripe lemons, tangerines and chrushed rocks. Very, very good.

The taste is young, tight and nicely balanced with notes of smoke, tangerines and dry fudge. 

Will be released 2025-11-06 / 899 SKR.

91p   (tasted 2025/10)

2022 Ultreia Godello, Raul Perez

An open, flowery nose with notes of dried apricot, chrushed rocks and assorted nuts. Very, very good.

The taste is fresh and fine with a fine structure and notes of dry lemons and caramel. A long, warm finish.

Will be released 2025-11-07 / 249 SKR.

89p   (tasted 2025/10)

2013 Barolo, Azelia

2013 Barolo, Azelia

With some air this Normale opens up nicely and offers up a stony nose with notes of Christmas spices, dried cherries, violets and a hint of mint. Very, very good.

The taste is medium bodied with some perky tannins, a very fine cherry fruit and a long, warm finish where you can find a hint of maturity. 4+ years.

91p   (tasted 2025/10)

 

A Bottle Of Bubbly - NV Chalky Brut, André Clouet

NV Chalky Brut, André Clouet

This Blanc de Blancs displays a steely, chalky (!) nose with notes of chives, lime, oyster shells and grapefruit. High and luscious.

The taste is young, tight and crisp with notes of lime juice, chrushed rocks and sweet minerals. A very fine cleansing acidity. Probably the best version of this wine I have tasted.

A tasting sample from WineWorld.

93p   (tasted 2025/10)

A Beautiful, Bargain Oregon Pinot

2022 Lone Oak Ranch Pinot Noir, Purple Hands

How many will I buy? That was my first gut thought after tasting this gem. Since my better half occasionally read this blog, I will not tell...

The nose soars up from the glass with notes of dried meat, dried strawberries, moist earth and incense. Like a hedonistic Burgundy from the 40´s.

The taste is racy and forward with silky, salivating fruit, a fine acidity and a long, layered finish. For 36 Euro this a true bargain.

Thanks Divine for the possibilty to taste.

93p   (tasted 2025/09)

Eating & Drinking In Piedmont

I go to Langhe for the wines and the winemakers, but the food is almost as important. I love the traditional food of this area - carne cruda, vitello tonnato, plin, tajarin, coniglio and much, much more. 

Here are some notes from the restaurants I visited on my latest trip in September 2025.

La Gemella - Locanda La Gemella

My first visit to this restaurant, located in Barolo, in the square when you arrive in Barolo either from Castiglione Falletto or Monforte d´Alba.

The food was very nice, I would definitely recommend a visit.

2022 Langhe Nas-Cëtta, Mauro Marengo

A cool, low keyed nose with notes of grass, white pepper and birch leaves.

The taste is light and fresh but a tad anonymous with notes of ripening peach, grass and spices.

85p   (tasted 2025/09)

2015 Barolo Bric dël Fiasc, Paolo Scavino

A deep, warm nose with a hint of maturity and notes of warm tiles, dried black cherries, charcoal, leather and a whiff of mint. Opens up nicely and becomes more perfumed and layered with air.

The taste is nicely structured with taut tannins, lots of black fruits, notes of dark incense, leather and scorched earth. 5+ years.

93p   (tasted 2025/09)

Centro Storico

You always visit Ciccio when you are in Langhe, that goes without saying. I have been eating and drinking here for almost 20 years and it is always a treat.

NV Brut, Ernest Remy

This 100% Pinot Noir, a choice by Ciccio, offers up a deep, flowery nose with notes of autumn apples, almond paste and the scent of a Swedish late summer evening. Very, very good.

The taste is fresh and spicy with notes of red apples, dried flowers and thai basil. A very good acidity.

91p   (tasted 2025/09)

2023 Dolcetto d´Alba, Cascina Fontana

A handsome, balanced nose with notes of balsa wood, blueberries, herbs and Langhe earth. Lovely.

The taste is elegant and nicely balanced with crisp tannins and a fine mouthfeel. 6+ years. Also a Ciccio choice!

91p   (tasted 2025/09)

Langotto

Langotto is located in Il Grecale´s previous premises (which the Barolo Boys have visited on several occasions) in Novello. The chef has worked in France and there is a French-Italian touch that is displayed on the plates. Lovely food and service, I will be back.

2021 Il Rosato, Cantina Nervi

Roberto´s Rosé shows of a fresh, open nose with notes of rhubarbs, blood grape and a whiff of smoke.

The taste is fresh and juicy with a fine acidity and lots of sweet citrus fruits. Very, very good.

88p   (tasted 2025/09)

2016 Barolo Bricco San Pietro, Ruggeri Corsini

A deep, smoky nose with gorgeous notes of dried cherries, rosehips, black tea and shoe polish. A lot of violets with air. Complex and fine.

The taste is structured and fine with a hint of maturity and notes of dried cherries, asphalt, smoke and licorice. Very long.

92p   (tasted 2025/09)

2016 Barolo Riserva Coste di Rose, Bric Cenciurio

A tight, concentrated nose with notes of tapenade, black flowers, asphalt, tiles and warm Langhe earth. Beautiful.

The taste is very handsome, rich and focused with gorgeous black fruit, silky tannins, a taut structure and a lenght that is counted in minutes. Still young, this beauty needs another 7+ years.

95p   (tasted 2025/09)

Osteria Veglio

Oh dear. My second favourite restaurant in Langhe (see previous visits below) - the untouchable number one is of course La Coccinella in Serravalle. 

I always look forward to a visit here, only to get let down this time. I hope it is a one time thing.

I have always loved the carne cruda here, but this time is was refrigerator cold and bland. The plin, which always have been the best in Langhe, was cooked a minute or two too long, the taste was the same but vitality wasn´t there. 

I had lunch on a beautiful early September Saturday, the veranda outside was crowded with people, maybe a tad much so, and maybe an explanation to my experience.

2022 Barbera d´Alba, Bartolo Mascarello

But the wine was good! A nicely perfumed nose with notes of ripe flowers, Finnish licorice, autumn earth and smoke. Very fine.

The taste is tight and finely built around a sweet raspberry fruit, a very fine acidity and a long, long, warm finish. A fine note of salmiak. Lovely.

93p   (tasted 2025/09)

Some previous visits to Osteria Veglio:

https://barolista.blogspot.com/2023/03/food-wine-in-piedmont.html

https://barolista.blogspot.com/2023/01/eating-drinking-in-piedmont-2022.html

https://barolista.blogspot.com/2019/08/eating-drinking-in-piedmont-impressions.html

https://barolista.blogspot.com/2019/04/the-barolo-boys-in-piedmont-eating.html

https://barolista.blogspot.com/2017/11/lunches-dinners-in-piedmont-part-one.html

A Bottle Of Bubbly - NV Pureté Brut Nature 1er Cru, Champagne Geoffroy

NV Pureté Brut Nature 1er Cru, Champagne Geoffroy

35% Pinot Noir, 35% Pinot Meunier and 30% Chardonnay. This zero dosage bubbly offers up a crisp, smoky nose with notes of assorted spices, yellow apples and chalk. Very fine.

The taste is fresh and elegant with a very fine acidity, lovely yellow fruit and a long, creamy finish. 4+ years.

Thanks Quaffable Wines for the taste.

92p   (tasted 2025/10)

2021 Dogliani San Luigi, Marziano Abbona

2021 Dogliani San Luigi, Marziano Abbona

A young, seedy nose with notes of damsons, graphite, fir wood, shoe polish and bakelite. Forward and extrovert.

The taste is tight and structured with notes of licorice, dried blueberries, minerals and fir wood. Will need 5+ more years in the cellar.

Previously tasted three years ago - Barolista: Some Bottles Tasted At Divine.

91p   (tasted 2025/10)

A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - A Visit To San Biagio

Healthy grapes in the San Biagio vineyard

When Barolista visits...

As on my previous visit to this lovely cantina - Barolista: A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - Visit To San Biagio - Tiziana took great care of me, with Leo as my canine companion for the tasting. 

I really like the wines this family make. 

Except for my previous visit I have also meet up with the family and tasted their wines at Grandi Langhe, both in 2024 and 2025:

Barolista: The Barolo Boys Does Grandi Langhe 2024

Barolista: The Barolo Boys Does Grandi Langhe 2025

2022 Langhe Nebbiolo Ad Majora

An open, light, red fruited nose with a direct charm.

The taste is fresh and forward with a juicy Nebbiolo character. For immediate drinking.

86p   (tasted 2025/09)

2021 Langhe Cabernet Sauvignon

The first vintage of this Cabernet from six years old vines. The nose is a touch feeble with earthy notes. I cant find any Caberbet characteristics.

The taste is medium bodied and tight with notes of assorted black fruit, some earth and tobacco. With more age on the vines, this could be interesting.

83p   (tasted 2025/09)

2019 Barbaresco Montersino

A beautiful Barbaresco. The nose is delicate and finely tuned with notes of red currants, smoke, licorice and dried roses.

The taste is silky and balanced with notes of red cherries, sand, smoke and forest floor. A fine salty note.

93p   (tasted 2025/09)

2020 Barolo Del Comune di La Morra

An open, spicy nose with notes of hard cherry candy, rosehips and leather. Very fine.

The taste is young and direct with silky tannins and sweet cherry fruit. A very fine lenght. 5+ years.

92p   (tasted 2025/09)

2019 Barolo Capalot

A deep, focused nose with notes of ripe cherries, fir wood, paint and a touch of menthol. Very fine.

The taste is rich and concentrated with taut tannins and notes of hard cherry candy, red licorice and smoke. Very long. 8+ years.

94p   (tasted 2025/09)

2019 Barolo Bricco San Biagio

A gorgeously expressive nose with notes of mature red apples, Finnish licorice and sun warm rocks. 

The taste is tight and focused with notes of dried up cherry jam, dried flowers and warm sand. Polished tannins. Lovely. 7+ years.

94p   (tasted 2025/09)

2019 Barolo Galina

Second vintage ever made of Galina. I tasted the 2018 last years and thought it to be a masterpiece. The -19 is even better! The nose soars up from the glass with stunning notes of wild roses, oranges, wild strawberries and asphalt. 

The taste is pure and intense with perfect fruit, perfect tannins and a minute long finish. Perfection in the making. 10+ years.

97p   (tasted 2025/09)

2018 Barolo Rochettevino

An open, herbal nose with notes of dried up strawberry jam, undergrowth, tobacco and rosehips. Very, very good.

The taste is nicely focused and tight with notes of ripe red cherries, cold coffee and spices. Long and fine. 6+ years.

92p   (tasted 2025/09)

2017 Barolo Sorano

A high, pure nose with notes of raspberries, smoke, Langhe earth and a very fine balsamic note. A very fine sweetness to the fruit.

The taste is rich and round with gorgeous black fruit, sandy tannins and finish that goes on and on. Sorry to say, this is the last vintage made of the Sorano.

93p   (tasted 2025/09)

2017 Barolo Riserva Bricco San Biagio

The Riserva comes from a central piece of the San Biagio vineyard. It spends three years in Slavonian oak barrels and then three years in bottle before release. The nose of the -17 is deep, broad and absolutely beautiful with notes of dried strawberries, moist earth, roses and a fine balsamic note.

The taste is open, rich and flowery with stunning fruit, silky tannins and a long, long, warm finish. Great wine. 6+ years.

96p   (tasted 2025/09)

2018 Barolo Riserva Bricco San Biagio

The -18 Riserva San Biagio is more structured than the -17, with fine notes of dried raspberries, red currants, Langhe earth and licorice. A lovely balance.

The taste is earthy and spicy with notes of wild raspberries, asphalt, coffee powder and ripe flowers. Very, very long. 8+ years. I tasted the - 19 at Grandi Langhe and that is, already, a masterpiece (97-98p).

94p   (tasted 2025/09)

2018 Alta Langa Riserva

To finish the tasting of - some bubbles! 100% Pinot Noir. The nose is juicy and forward with notes of raspberries, red apples and some blueberries tossed in. High and fine.

The taste is crisp and pure with a very fine acidity, lots of fine red fruit flavours and a long, elegant finish. Very, very good.

90p   (tasted 2025/09)

1997 Barolo, Podere Luigi Einaudi

1997 Barolo, Podere Luigi Einaudi

A delicate, lovely mature nose with notes of autumn leaves, coffee grounds, dried cherries and truffles. Very, very good.

The taste is dry and mature with notes of plums, violets, sugared coffee and licorice. A fine dried up sweetness to the fruit. On top of its game.

90p   (tasted 2025/10)

Fine Wines From Ministry of Clouds

Ministry of Clouds is owned and managed by "two control freaks" (their own words :-)), hence the name, as in Ministry (for control) and Clouds (for the illusion of control). 

Bernice Ong and Julian Forwood is the charming owners of this Australian estate whose first vintage was in 2013. Info here - Ministry of Clouds.

Thanks Quaffable Wines for the invite!

2024 Riesling

A young, racy nose with notes of white currants, steel, sweet lime and chrushed rocks.

The taste is tight and elegant with young, perky yellow fruit, a fine acidity and a pure, bitter finish. Will age gracefully. Released on the 3rd of October.

90p   (tasted 2025/10)

2021 Riesling

A flinty nose with notes of grey pears, birch leaves and grass. Very, very good.

The taste is steely and crisp with a very fine acidity, notes of ripening pears and gravel. Compared to the other vintages, a tad more facile.

88p   (tasted 2025/10)

2017 Riesling

My favourite. The nose is low keyed but very handsome with notes of lemon peel, smoke and pears. A fine dried up sweetness note.

The taste is cool and seedy with notes of sweet lime, quinine and hay. Very long and distinct.

92p   (tasted 2025/10)

2014 Riesling

A hint of maturity with notes of yellow apples, lemon peel and sun warm rocks. Very, very good.

The taste is dry and fine with notes of autumn leaves, yellow apples and dried lemons. Long and fine.

90p   (tasted 2025/10)

2021 Grenache Carignan

68% Grenache and 32% Carignan. The nose is open and red fruity with notes of rhubarb, licorice, wild raspberries and fresh herbs. Cool and fine.

The taste is silky, light and highly drinkable with notes of lavender, dried raspberries and tomatoe sauce. A very fine acidity.

90p   (tasted 2025/10)

2021 Grenache

A deep, spicy nose with notes of ripe raspberries, sun warm tiles and church incense. Lovely.

The taste is young and elegant with a very fine mouthfeel and notes of raspberries, licorice and fried herbs. High and pure. 

92p   (tasted 2025/10)

2021 Tempranillo Grenache

A fine, fruity nose with notes of warm gravel, a fine mix of red and black fruit and forest floor. Very, very good.

The taste is medium bodied and upfront with the same mix of red and black as on the nose. As with all their wines, highly drinkable but for me a tad anonymous.

89p   (tasted 2025/10)

2021 Shiraz

For 25 Euro this is, as a well known American wine critic used to put it, a no brainer! The nose is cool and layered with notes of burnt rubber in a distance, bluberries and a hint of black pepper. Gorgeous.

The taste is finely structured with polished tannins, beautiful black fruit and a long, silky finish. Drinkable today but probably even better in 5+ years. Load up the truck!

94p   (tasted 2025/10)