The Barolo Boys had a couple of great day in Langhe (as always) in November of 2018. Here are notes from two more visits.
Tenuta Cucco
2017 Langhe Chardonnay
This is a spicy, upfront Chard with fine notes of yellow apples, smoke and melon. Cool and fine.
The taste is tight with a fine acidity and notes of lemon cream, melon and smoke. Very, very good.
89p (tasted 2018/11)
2017 Dolcetto d´Alba
A earthy, spicy nose with notes of bay leaves, blueberries and some tobacco aromas. Very good.
The taste is light and fresh with notes of earth, bakelite and ripening blueberries. Sandy tannins.
87p (tasted 2018/11)
2017 Langhe Nebbiolo
The smell is that of a forest from my childhood when picking berries in the autumn. Next is scents of licorice, cherries and some smoke. Ver, very good.
The taste is pure and fresh with notes of red cherries, licorice and moist undergrowth. Fresh tannins. An uplifting character. Very nice indeed.
89p (tasted 2018/11)
2016 Langhe Rosso
A big nose with a fine mix of raspberries and blueberries alongside scents of plums and salted licorice. A blend of Nebbiolo, Barbera, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. These blends gives a little of everything, but in my view it seldom become one+one=three.
The taste is very good with nice fruit and fine acidity and tannins but yet again, a bit all over the place.
87p (tasted 2018/11)
2014 Barolo del Commune di Serralunga
The 14 Normale displays a young, seedy nose with notes of asphalt, undergrowth, paint and rowan berries. Very fine.
The taste is fine and elegant with notes of dried up raspberry jam, asphalt and dried herbs. A very good balance. Long. Very, very good.
91p (tasted 2018/11)
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| Giovanni took care of us, showed us the cellars and poured these fine wines |
Interesting enough, the 13 Normale isn´t as good as the 14. At least today. The nose is restrained with a fine depth and notes of gravel, dry raspberries and asphalt. Needs air.
The taste shows a fine structure and Serralunga power but is a bit locked in for now. Fine notes of cranberries, dry raspberries, tobacco and rosehips. Needs time.
89p (2018/11)
2014 Barolo Cerrati
A very refined, handsome nose with notes of perfectly ripe cherries and notes of forest floor, tobacco and root vegetables. Very fine.
The taste is tight and focused with notes of black cherries, bay leaves, rose petals and earth. A very fine structure. 6+ years.
93p (2018/11)
2013 Barolo Cerrati
Again, the 14 Cerrati is better than the 13 version, although this is no slouch. The nose is deep and rustic with notes of dried cherries, asphalt, dried herbs and a hint of tobacco.
The taste is tight and seedy with notes of sweet/sour cherries, asphalt, dried flowers and some leathery notes. Long and fine. 5+ years.
91p (2018/11)
2012 Barolo Riserva Ceratti Vigna Cucco
The two Riserva´s from Ceratti are world class wines. The 12 has spend 36 months in new oak and it doesn´t show! Instead, there are stunning notes of sweet/sour cherries, licorice, rosehips, moist forest floor, dried flowers and incense. Wonderful.
The taste is balanced and energetic with notes of ripe cherries, forest floor, herbs, dried roses and old leather. The finish goes on and on. Very, very fine.
94p (2018/11)
2011 Barolo Riserva Ceratti Vigna Cucco
The 11 Riserva is almost as great as the 12, with its deep, perfumed nose with notes of paint, asphalt, herbs and licorice. Very deep and fine.
The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of dried cherries, tobacco, rosehips and asphalt. A very long finish with structured tannins. Needs more time in the bottle, say 8+ years.
93p (2018/11)
Vietti
2017 Arneis
Always one of my favourite Arneis, and the 2017 is no exception. It has a pure, fresh nose with notes of spices, white pepper, lemon and a fine oily note. Very, very good.
The taste is crisp and fine with notes of lemon, spices and grass. A very fine acidity.
88p (2018/11)
2016 Barbera d´Asti La Crena
A very deep, spicy nose with a fantastic raspberry filled nose with additional scents of Finnish licorice, forest floor and ripe flowers. Very fine.
The taste is concentrated and fine with a high acidity and sweet fruit in a fine package. Again, stunning raspberry flavours. Long.
92p (2018/11)
2016 Langhe Nebbiolo
Another 16 Nebbiolo that shows what joys we can except when the 16 Baroli will be released next year. A refined, cherry layered nose with rosehips, mushrooms and undergrowth. Very fine.
The taste is tight and fine-limbed with silky tannins, a fine structure and fruit for the coming 10+ years.
92p (2018/11)
2014 Barolo Castiglione
No Brunate was made in 2014 so that fruit has gone in the Castiglione. The nose is laid back and elegant with notes of ripe lingonberries, earth and dried flowers. Lean and fine.
The taste is seedy and tight with notes of sand, lingonberries, dried flowers and a hint of tobacco. For drinking while waiting for 13´s.
89p (2018/11)
2015 Barolo Castiglione
The 15 Castiglione has more body and structure than the 14, with a sandy, fine nose with notes of ripening raspberries, rosehips, warm tiles and tar. Very, very good.
The taste is concentrated and built for aging, with notes of raspberry licorice, chrushed rocks, rosehips and, as in the 14, a hint of tobacco. 8+ years.
92p (2018/11)
2015 Barolo Lazzarito
The 15 Lazzarito sports a deep, dark nose with notes of ripe raspberries, forest floor, rose petals and a delicate tobacco aroma. Very fine.
The taste is concentrated and ripe with notes of dark bread, warm rocks, earth and a fantastic raspberry fruit. Very long and distinct. 6+ years.
93p (2018/11)
2015 Barolo Rocche
Always my favourite, the Rocche delivers the goods. The nose is deep and complex with notes of ripe red cherries, some sweet/sour scents, chrushed rocks, rosehips and gravel. Very, very fine.
The taste is just brilliant with fruit, acidity and tannins in perfect harmony, with a ripe cherry fruit and fine notes of hard cherry candy, roses and asphalt. A low keyed intensity. Needs 10 years and then it will flirt with perfection.
96p (2018/11)
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| The charming Emanuela! Will be missed when visiting Vietti |
The Ravera is the most restrained of the Cru´s, with a tight, rather closed nose with notes of assorted red fruits, chrushed rocks, rose petals and a hint of leather. Needs lots of time.
The taste is seedy and firm with notes of ripe lingonberries, sun warm rocks, herbs and forest floor. Needs a lot of time, but there is things going on underneath.
92p (2018/11)
2015 Barolo Brunate
The Brunate is refined, even sensual, with lovely notes of Christmas spices, lingonberries, mushrooms and fir wood. Very fine.
The taste is tight and elegant with notes of undegrowth, rosehips, spices, dry chocolate and fir wood. Very, very long. A lovely texture. 7+ years.
95p (2018/11)
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