The Barolo Boys soldiers on, with two more visits - first at one of my favourite producers and next to a new favourite.
Sandrone
2017 Dolcetto d´Alba
This is a deep and concentrated style of Dolcetto with notes of dark fruit, bonfire smoke, velvety and viscous. Very, very good.
The taste is young and tarry with notes of earth, dark cherries, asphalt and licorice. Fine, perky tannins. Needs 5+ years.
91p (tasted 2018/11)
2016 Barbera d´Alba
A big, smoky nose with notes of Finnish licorice, scorched earth, dark bread and moist earth. Very deep and round.
The taste is big and brawny with notes of raspberry licorice, smoke, moist earth and dried herbs. A very good acidity that cleans up the palate.
90p (tasted 2018/11)
2016 Nebbiolo d´Alba Valmaggiore
The Valmaggiore is always a treat, and the 16 is no exception. The nose is deep and profound with notes of spicy cherries, dark flowers, warm rocks, rosehips and mushrooms. Very refined. Just lovely.
The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of cranberries, rose petals, cool tobacco and some tarry notes. Silky tannins. Very long. Great wine. 6+ years.
94p (tasted 2018/11)
2014 Barolo Le Vigne
The 14 Le Vigne sports a high, handsome nose with notes of hard cherry candy, dried roses, undergrowth and dry licorice. Complex and fine.
The taste is sandy, fine and multi layered with notes of ripe red cherries, dried flowers, salmiak and undergrowth. Fine, gripping tannins. Very, very fine. 5+ years.
95p (tasted 2018/11)
2014 Barolo Aleste
The Aleste is deeper and darker than the Le Vigne, and displays notes of morels, sweet violets, dark undergrowth and some fine balsamic notes. Very deep and a more restrained than the Le Vigne.
The taste is pure and concentrated with notes of hard cherry candy, dry licorice, fresh flowers and a hint of tobacco. Very, very long and promising. 8+ years. 14 - a bad year - blaaaah!
95p (tasted 2018/11)
2010 Barolo Le Vigne
Barbara was ever so kind to fetch these bottles that had been opened earlier that day. We had the 10 Le Vigne at Belbo da Bardon one and a half year ago, and this bottle performed equally brilliant.
96p (tasted 2018/11)
 |
| Barbara & Luciano |
The Cannubi Boschis sports a haunting, perfumed, deep nose with notes of raspberry, licorice, leather, cold coffe and truffles. Very, very fine. A hint of maturity.
The taste is concentrated, tight and just awesome with notes of ripe cherries, leather, Finnish licorice, undergrowth and asphalt. A great balance and lenght. 6+ years.
96p (tasted 2018/11)
Guido Porro
2017 Dolcetto d´Alba V. Pari
Our first visit to Guido Porro but definitely not our last! There is plenty to like here, starting with the sprightly, upfront Dolcetto with its blueberry fruit, balsa wood and balsamic scents.
The taste is tight and racy with notes of spiced up blueberries, undergrowth and bay leaves. Long and juicy. Very, very good.
90p (tasted 2018/11)
2017 Barbera d´Alba V. S. Caterina
The 17 Barbera has a big, smoky nose with notes of moist earth, raspberries, rubber and cool perfume. Rich and interesting.
The nose is big and juicy with a fine acidity and notes of ripe raspberries, licorice, sweet coffee and earth. Potent and fine.
88p (tasted 2018/11)
2017 Langhe Nebbiolo Camilu
Bottled only ten days ago, this Langhe Nebbiolo shows a deep, herbal nose with notes of sweet cherry candy, bonfire smoke and mushrooms. Very, very good.
The taste is young, tight and seedy with notes of dry licorice, hard cherry candy and gravel. A very fine, tight structure. 4+ years.
90p (tasted 2018/11)
2014 Barolo Gianetto
Made from 8 year old vines, this fine Barolo displays notes of violet pastilles, forest floor, dried cherries and salmiak. Very, very good.
The taste is tight and restrained with sandy tannins and fine red fruits. Needs time, hasn´t really filled its costume yet.
86p (tasted 2018/11)
2014 Barolo V. S. Caterina
The 14 Caterina is cool and spicy with notes of dog fur, old paint, hard cherry candy and dry licorice. Very complex, deep and fine.
The taste is tight and finely tuned with notes of dried red cherries, bay leaves, dried mushrooms and shoe polish. Cool long, and fine. 5+ years.
92p (tasted 2018/11)
 |
| The charming Guido explains something for the Barolo Boys |
From 50 year old vines, this beauty offers up a large scaled, tight nose with notes of gravel, cherry jam that has dried up, ripe flowers, earth and rosehips. A salty touch. Very fine.
The taste is tight, cool and fine with notes of dried cherries, dry licorice, asphalt and fir wood. Very long and balanced. Really good. 8+ years.
92p (tasted 2018/11)
2014 Barolo Vigna Rionda
In 2011 Guido inheritad 1,4 ha of Barolo land, of which 0,55 ha are in Vigna Rionda. He replanted it in 2012 so this wine is from two year old vines! The nose is cool and somewhat backward with notes of salt licorice, warm rocks, ripening cherries and earth. Very elegant despite its age.
The taste is handsome and even aristocratic with fine concentration and pretty red fruits. Tails of a little at the end. Very promising.
90p (tasted 2018/11)
2015 Barolo Vigna Rionda
By this time Guido had noticed that The Barolo Boys were keen Nebbiolo aficionados, so he asked it wanted to taste the 15 Vigna Rionda? Does the Pope have a funny hat!?
The 15 is right out of the bottle a little rowdy on the nose, but it soon settles down and displays notes of ripe cherries, Finnish licorice, chrushed rocks and rosehips. Very fine. A more rustic elegance compared to the 14.
The taste is tight, concentrated and multi layered with notes of ripe cherries, a hint of tobacco, minerals and rosehips. The finish is very long and balanced. A really impressive wine from three year old vines! From cask.
~94p (tasted 2018/11)
2015 Barolo V. S. Caterina
Guido continued to ask if we wanted to taste the 15´s and guess what we answered...? The 16 Caterina sports a deep, autumn filled nose with notes of a mushroom forest, violets. rose oil and som Christmas spices. Delicate and fine.
The taste is cool and refines with notes of hard cherry candy, rosehip, violets and mushrooms. A very fine dryness in the finish. Long. 6+ years. Will be bottled in March of 2019, as the Lazzairasco below.
~93p (tasted 2018/11)
2015 Barolo V. Lazzairasco
A very deep, balanced nose with notes of sweet/sour cherries, earth/compost, licorice and dark roses. Very, very fine.
The taste is complex and fine with notes of ripe cherries, salt licorice, earth, roses and minerals. Very, very long. Broad, silky tannins. Great wine. 8+ year.
~94p (tasted 2018/11)
2015 Barolo Gianetto
A fine, high nose with notes of autumn leaves, balsa wood, ripening cherries and rosehips. Very, very good.
The taste is cool and tight with notes of chalk, red cherries, rosehips and a hint of tobacco. A seedy ending with a good warmth. 5+ years.
~88p (tasted 2018/11)
No comments:
Post a Comment