The Barolo Boys In Piedmont - A Visit To Carlo Giacosa

The Barolo Boys heads to Barbaresco for two visits. The first one is to Carlo Giacosa. The estate owns 5,5 ha, all in Barbaresco. Info here - Carlo Giacosa - Barbaresco in Barbaresco, for four generations.

Luca meet us and poured these wines.

2022 Dolcetto d´Alba Cuchet

A delicate, herbal nose with notes of iron, blueberries and damsons. Very good.

The taste is cool and nicely structured with juicy tannins and fine blueberry fruit.

86p   (tasted 2024/01)

2021 Barbera d´Alba Superiore Lina

A fresh, smoky nose with notes of ripening raspberries, black cherries and some balsamic notes.

The taste has a good structure and a nice warmth. A fine acidity. A tad foursquare.

86p   (tasted 2024/01

2022 Langhe Nebbiolo Maria Grazia

A deep, high nose with notes of plums, cherries, sandelwood and Lange earth. Very, very good.

The taste is pure and tight with lovely cherry fruit and notes of rosehips, earth and tobacco. 4+ years.

90p   (tasted 2024/01)

2020 Barbaresco

A deep, cool nose with notes of red cherries, dried flowers, earth and a hint of chocolate biscuits.

The taste is young and seedy with a nice red fruit, silky tannins and a medium long finish. 5+ years.

89p   (tasted 2024/01)

2020 Barbaresco Ovello

A deep, large scaled nose with notes of undergrowth, red cherries, tobacco and warm gravel.

The taste is tight and seedy with chalky red fruit, handsome tannins and a long, distinct finish. 8+ years.

92p   (tasted 2024/01)

2020 Barbaresco Montefico

A deep, concentrated nose with notes of licorice, black cherries, fir wood and rosehips. Very fine.

The taste is rich and structured with a fine intensity, succulent black fruit and polished tannins. 9+ years.

92p   (tasted 2024/01)

2020 Barbaresco Asili

The Asili is a stunner. A very deep, refined nose with notes of licorice, ripe wild strawberries, roses and mild tobacco. 

The taste is pure and focused with notes of sweet/sour cherries, rosehips, chalk and tobacco. Utterly delicous. Great wine. 8+ years.

95p   (tasted 2024/01)

2021 Langhe Pinot Nero

The estate makes a Pinot since 2018. The 2021 vintage offers up a nice, spicy nose with chrushed raspberries, wet earth and gravel.

The taste is high and fine with a fine acidity and notes of ripening raspberries and earth. 3+ years.

86p   (tasted 2024/01)

2019 Langhe Pinot Nero

Luca was ever so kind and fetched a bottle of the second vintage produced. The nose is a bit darker and tighter than the -21 with notes of spicy raspberries, Finnish licorice and warm earth. More structur than the -21.

The taste is cool and tight with a very fine raspberry fruit, a nice acidity and long, warm finish. 4+ years.

88p   (tasted 2024/01)

Two Langhe Bottles

2000 Barbera d´Alba Trevigne, Domenico Clerico

A still perky nose with notes of dried raspberries, scorched earth, licorice and pipe tobacco. Soft and very good.

The taste is dry and mature with notes of raspberry licorice, earth, iron and a fine warmth in the finish. A tad short.

86p   (tasted 2024/01)

2020 Dogliani San Luigi, Chionetti

A stony, herbal nose with notes of blueberries and raspberries, violets, bakelite and iron. Very good.

The taste is cool and structured with notes of red currants, iron, violets and chrushed rocks. Hasn´t budged since last time, see below. 6+ years.

89p   (tasted 2024/01)

Barolista: 2020 Dogliano San Luigi, Chionetti

Barolista: 2010 & 2020 Dogliani San Luigi, Chionetti

Barolista: A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - Visits To Fratelli Barale & Chionetti

New Year´s Eve - The Sweet Stuff

2000 Vintage Port, Silval

A still young, tight, forceful nose with notes of raisins, chocolate, asphalt and band aid. High and fine.

The taste is tight and concentrated with lots of chocolate covered raisins alongside toasted nuts, asphalt and bakelite. Very long. 15+ years.

92p   (tasted 2023/12)

2020 Château d´Yquem

From a half bottle. Just stunning. One of the best wines tastes during 2023, and made it to the most memorable list - Barolista: The Ten Most Memorable Wines Of 2023.

The nose is bottomless deep and hauntingly beautiful with notes of almond paste, ripe oranges, oil cloth, detergent and wet grass. Soooo complex.

The taste is high and intense with a breathtaking concentration and focus. Only needs 10+ years to hit perfection.

98p   (tasted 2023/12)

1990 Château d´Yquem

From a half bottle. A very deep, sweet, multi layered nose with notes of orange jam, matchbox, wet earth and candied orange peels. Very fine.

The taste is rich and concentrated with notes of vanilla cooked orange peels, pineapple, earth and matchbox. Very long. Some maturity. 6+ years.

93p   (tasted 2023/12)

2016 Barbaresco Starderi, Renato Fenocchio

2016 Barbaresco Starderi, Renato Fenocchio

A very elegant, high nose with notes of red currants, rosehips, smoke and red tea. Just lovely. Still very young though.

The taste is tight and focused with stunning notes of herbs, red currants, orange peel and chrushed rock. Racy. Silky tannins. 6+ years. Last tasted 3 years ago.

94p   (tasted 2024/01)

Two 2019 Dolcetto

2019 Dolcetto d´Alba, Bel Colle

An open, nice nose with a fine mix of blueberries and raspberries alongside notes of tobacco, smoke and violets. Very, very good.

The taste is young and fresh with more black than red fruit and notes of bakelite, smoke and tobacco. Some sandy tannins. 5+ years.

87p   (tasted 2024/01)

2019 Dolcetto d´Alba, Fratelli Alessandria

A very fine, open nose with notes of ripe strawberries, earth, violets and fresh herbs. Deep and fine.

The taste is structured with perky tannins, lovely strawberry fruit and some smoky notes. Long and fine. 7+ years.

90p   (tasted 2024/01)

Two 1985´s

1985 Château Potensac

A very fine mature Bordeaux nose with notes of tobacco, letaher, dried black currants, stables in the distance and hints of wet dog fur. Very, very good. Holds well in the glass.

The taste is medium bodied and dry with notes of red and black currants, coffee powder, leather and gravel. Maybe a tad short. Fully mature. This vintage was not  present when I had a vertical of Potensac - Barolista: 40 Years Of Château Potensac / 1975 - 2015.

88p   (tasted 2024/01)

1985 Brunello di Montalcino, Castelgiocondo

Frescobaldi bought the Castelgiocondo estate in 1989 so this is from the previous owners. The nose is high and fine with notes of dried cherries, iodine, dried flowers and tiles. Very fine.

The taste is tight and nicely structured with notes of plums, dried herbs and gravel with a very fine warmth in the finish. Could still go on for 6+ years.

91p   (tasted 2024/01)

2018 Barolo Gramolere, Giovanni Manzone

2018 Barolo Gramolere, Giovanni Manzone

Tasted a year ago at the estate - Barolista: The Barolo Boys In Piedmont - Visit To Giovanni Manzone and now it was time to test drive a bottle at home.

The nose is deep and refined with gorgeous notes of orange peel, cherries, black olives, asphalt and a touch of tobacco. Multi layered and very fine.

The taste is pure and racy with notes of iron, dried strawberries, orange peel and Langhe earth. Very long. Great wine. 8+ years.

95p   (tasted 2023/12)

2021 Langhe Freisa, Ferdinando Principiano

2021 Langhe Freisa, Ferdinando Principiano

A young, earthy nose with notes of red currants, violets, gravel and after a while some dried strawberries. A sleek personality.

The taste is fresh and tight with a high acidity, lots of red berries and a medium long, sligthly bitter finish. 

Notes from my visit to the estate last year here - Barolista: A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - Visit To Ferdinando Principiano

87p   (tasted 2023/12)

The Ten Most Memorable Wines Of 2023

Time again! To do the list of my most memorable wines of the last year. The wines that have made a lasting impression. 

It is always difficult to narrow it down to ten wines but I force myself and with a glass of 2001 Piet Franco, Cappellano the task seems a tad easier.

884 wines tasted and drunk during 2023, of which 261 was a Barolo (5 made the list). 

Here are the wines that made the list, in vintage order. 

A toast for a great 2024!

1961 Château Calon Ségur

There are something special with a perfectly mature Bordeaux. The 1961 was the highlight, together with the 1990, at a Château Calon Ségur dinner tasting.

96p   (tasted 2023/10)

1991 Grange, Penfolds

I brought this bottle to a BYOB of great juice - Barolista: An Evening With Great Bottles - Abtserde, Cristal, Montrachet, Ornellaia, LCC, Grange & More. 

Everyone brought great bottles but my lasting impression was of this one. I have had my ups and downs with Grange over the years but this was a stunner.

97p   (tasted 2023/04)

1999 Côte-Rôtie La Mouline, Guigal

Almost perfect. This gorgeous creature only needs 6-10 years more to achieve perfection. I, nearly always, prefer La Mouline in the Guigal La-La line up. Also this time. Thanks Sverker!

99p   (tasted 2023/05)

1999 Barolo Mantoetto, Umberto Fracassi

I have (so far...) visited 109 estates in Barolo, and there have been many, many unforgettable ones, but maybe the most so, is the one to the 85 year old gentleman Umberto Fracassi - Barolista: A Couple Of Days in Piedmont - Visit To Umberto Fracassi. 

96p   (tasted 2023/07)

2011 Quella, Bond

I wish I could afford to drink these beauties daily. The 2011 Quella was a perfect specimen of Cabernet Sauvignon from California - Barolista: Bond, The Name Is Bond.

99p   (tasted 2023/04)

2004 Barolo Piet Franco, Cappellano

Drunk at one of our tasting groups semi annual tasting dinners - Barolista: Tasting Dinner With Great Wines - Pol Roger, Jadot, Chave, Cappellano, Fonseca & More!. 

Nicely evolved since the last time I tasted it in some serious company... - Barolista: Long Overdue Notes - The Barolo Boys In Piedmont April 2018 - Part Three - A Tasting Of A Lifetime - 1947-2004 Barolo, Cappellano

Since the late Theobaldo didn´t want his wines to be scored, I never do   (tasted 2023/11)

2016 Barolo Riserva Le Coste, Giacomo Grimaldi

A perfect wine in the making. Tasting it at the estate - Barolista: The Barolo Boys In Piedmont - Visit To Giacomo Grimaldi - I knew I had to have some, and now I have... Just wait 10+ years.

97p   (tasted 2023/01)

2018 Barolo Castelletto, Burlotto

The first vintage of Castelletto from Fabio´s magic hands. And what a wine! High, energetic with a stunning balance and focus. Thanks Miran!

96p   (tasted 2023/01)

2019 Barolo Brunate, Giuseppe Rinaldi

Sitting on the outside terrace of Locanda Fontanazza drinking a bottle of this stunning juice, one can just conclude, life is good. Great now, great in 10+ years.

97p   (tasted 2023/07)

2020 Château d´Yquem

This is the reason I don´t make my most memorable list until the year is over. Sverker brought this beauty for New Years dinner (with the 1990 that didn´t perfomed on this high level). Absolutely stunning, this young Sauternes is perfection in the making, like the 1967 many, many years ago.

98p   (tasted 2023/12)

Earlier years:

The Ten Most Memorable Of 2011

The Ten Most Memorable Of 2012

The Ten Most Memorable Of 2013

The Ten Most Memorable Of 2014

The Ten Most Memorable Of 2015

The Ten Most Memorable Of 2016

The Ten Most Memorable Of 2017

The Ten Most Memorable Of 2018

The Ten Most Memorable Of 2019

The Ten Most Memorable Of 2020

The Ten Most Memorable Of 2021

The Ten Most Memorable Of 2022

New Year´s Eve - The Red´s

1999 Barolo Bricco delle Viole, G. D. Vajra

A deep, mature nose with notes of plums, Langhe earth, licorice and forest floor. Soft and seductive.

The taste is velvety and balanced with integrated tannins and a lovely plummy fruit with notes of licorice, smoke and violets (!). Almost fully mature. Very fine.

93p   (tasted 2023/12)

2001 Barolo Piet Franco, Cappellano

A stunning wine. A very deep, tight nose with notes of dried red berries, candle grease, black olives and undergrowth. High and intense. 

The taste is complex and utterly gorgeous with notes of dried cherries, herbs, licorice and earth. Last tasted 2017 with Maria Teresa - Barolista: Lunches & Dinners In Piedmont - Part One.

Since the late Theobaldo didn´t want his wines to be scored, I never do   (tasted 2023/12)

2004 Barolo, Bartolo Mascarello

A lovely, delicate nose with notes of light cured meat, red cherries, mushrooms and licorice. Very, very fine.

The taste is refined and racy with still noticable tannins, a gorgeous cherry fruit and a finish that goes on and on. Still a tad restrained even with a couple of hours in the glass. 8+ years.

95p   (tasted 2023/12)

2007 Château Beau-Sejour Bécot

A fine, tight nose with notes of plums, black currants, graphite, asphalt and vanilla cookies. Very, very good.

The taste is young and nicely concentrated with notes of plums, scorched earth, tobacco and smoke. Long and fine. 5+ years.

92p   (tasted 2023/12)

2010 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, Castello Romitorio

A very deep, layered, meaty nose with notes of tar, ripe black cherries, hot earth, iodine and coffee powder. Complex and very fine.

The taste is concentrated and refined with silky tannins, boatloads of black cherry fruit and a long, distinct finish. Great wine. 4+ years.

94p   (tasted 2023/12)

New Year´s Eve - The White´s

2018 Deidesheimer Kalkofen Riesling GG, Basserman-Jordan

A fine depth with notes of white flower, chalk, grass and icing sugar. Nicely focused. Still young.

The taste is tight and crisp with notes of chalk, the white in a grapefruit, grass and a touch of banana peel. Medium long. 5+ years.

90p   (tasted 2023/12)

2017 Westhofen Morstein Riesling GG, Keller

A very deep, multi layered nose with notes of ripe grapefruit, white pepper, wet asphalt and chives. Very complex and fine.

The taste is pure and racy with stunning fruit, a piercing acidity and a finish that goes on for minutes. Great wine. 8+ years.

96p   (tasted 2023/12)

2020 Quars, El Mas de L´A

A open, fine nose with notes of sweet lime, peach, gravel and seafood shells. Very fine.

The taste is high and fine with notes of candied lemon, ginger, flowers and chrushed rocks. Long and fine. 4+ years.

91p   (tasted 2023/12)

New Year´s Eve - The Champagne´s

2008 La Grande Année, Bollinger

A refined, chalky nose with notes of almond paste, ripe peach, summer warm gravel and cap gun smoke. Very fine.

The taste is racy and refined with gorgeous red fruit, a uplifting acidity and a long, long delicate finish. Still on the young side of things, 6+ years.

94p   (tasted 2023/12)

2014 Rosé, Louis Roederer

A deep, fine nose with notes of grapefruit, red apples, potato water and chrushed rocks. Very, very good.

The taste is high and fine with notes of candied apples, gravel, smoke and tangerines. A fine acidity. Young. 8+ years.

91p   (tasted 2023/12)