A Visit To Stora Boråkra Winery

I was passing Karlskrona in the south of Sweden and Stora Boråkra caught my eye. The winery started in 2009 and by now is planted with 4000 vines of Solaris. They make four wines - Solaris, Solaris Berså, a Rosé and a sparkling wine.

I contacted Staffan Ottosson, who is the owner and winemaker, and he kindly arranged a tasting for me.

2019 Solaris

Staffan was ever so kind, so he opened four vintages of his Solaris. The 2019 offers up a grassy, fine nose with notes of steel and candied lemons. A hint of maturity.

The taste is fresh and balanced with crisp yellow fruit and fine acidity. A tad short though.

85p   (tasted 2025/07)

2021 Solaris

The -21 is very, very good, with a upfront, snappy nose with notes of cement, white pepper and ripe lemons.

The taste is nicely structured around ripe lemons, a hint of melon and a long, juicy finish. A very fine acidity.

90p   (tasted 2025/07)

2022 Solaris Berså

The Berså variant has a bit more sweetness to it, with notes of oranges, warm grass and pears.

The taste is tight and fine with a dry sweetness, a fine acidity and notes of tangerines and pears.

86p   (tasted 2025/07)

2024 Solaris

The -24 Solaris displays a young, fresh nose with notes of candied lemons, gravel, birch leaves and a hint of dry fudge.

The taste is crisp and fine with a cleansing acidity and lots of candied lemons and lemon peel. Needs a couple of years.

89p   (tasted 2025/07)

NV Brut

As with the Solaris, Staffan kindly opened three bottles of their Brut. This is a blend of the 2018 and 2019 vintages. The nose is deep and mature with notes of autumn apples, gravel and fennel seeds.

The taste is open and direct with a very fine acidity and mature lemon notes. 

All the Brut´s have 6,5 gr dosage.

88p   (tasted 2025/07)

2020 Brut

A delicate, fresh nose with notes of red apples, tangerines and moist earth. Very fine.

The taste is pure and seedy with gorgeous fruit, a fresh acidity and a long, silky finish. 

90p   (tasted 2025/07)

2021 Brut

Just one year younger that the -20 but very locked up on the nose with notes of green apples, ripening pears and chrushed rocks.

The taste is tight and highly strung with a high acidity and notes of green apple peel, gravel and herbs. Needs time.

87p   (tasted 2025/07)

2022 Langhe Nascetta, Umberto Fracassi

2022 Langhe Nascetta, Umberto Fracassi

A delicate nose with notes of peach, lemon peel and herbs. Lots of tangerines on day two.

The taste is fresh and pure with a cleansing acidity and notes of chives, lemon peel and peach.

Last tasted in January with the Gentleman of Cherasco - Umberto Fracassi - Barolista: The Barolo Boys In Piemont - Visit To Umberto Fracassi.

87p   (tasted 2025/07)

2016 Dolcetto d´Alba, Luigi Pira

2016 Dolcetto d´Alba, Luigi Pira

A still tight, slightly peppery nose with notes of damsons, violets, dark cookie dough and minerals. Very, very good.

The taste is nicely structured and still on the young side of things with notes of dried blueberries, salmiak and salt minerals. Last tasted four years ago - Barolista: A 19 Bottle Dolcetto Tasting With Dolcetto Boys & Girls.  This Serralunga Dolcetto will go on for 8+ years.

91p   (tasted 2025/07)

2019 Chianti Classico, Isole e Olena

2019 Chianti Classico, Isole e Olena

I tasted the 2021 recently - Barolista: 2021 Chianti Classico, Isole e Olena - and now it was time for the 2019. The nose is elegant and fine with notes of sour cherries, licorice, tomato plants and gravel.

The taste is medium bodied and nicely structured with silky tannins, lots of dried cherries and herbs. Best on day two.

90p   (tasted 2025/07)

I Found Some Pictures - A Premier Cru Dinner

Those were the days. My birthday dinner in 2002. We also had some other bottles, see below, but I found no pics of those.

1982 Château Haut-Brion

A very deep, focused nose with notes of sun warm tiles, coffe powder, ripe black currants and earth. Very fine.

The taste is tight yet somewhat mature with silky tannins, ripe red and black currants and a long, warm finish. 

94p   (tasted 2002/12)

1982 Château Lafite-Rothschild

A warm, concentrated nose with notes of cherries, black currants, bell pepper and some chocolate notes. Deep and fine.

The taste is elegant and layered with gorgeous fruit, polished tannins and a minute long finish. Aristocratic. 

94p   (tasted 2002/12)

1982 Château Latour

Just awesome. The nose is bottomless deep, hedonistic and gorgeous, with notes of expensive leather, sugared coffee, ripe black currants and fresh stables. Brilliant.

The taste is massive and concentrated with every knot and bolt in its perfect place. Still young. This is a 50 year wine. Wine doesn´t get better than this.

100p   (tasted 2002/12)

1982 Château Margaux

An outgoing, ripe nose with notes of tobacco, leather, dark fudge and ripe black currants. Very deep and juicy.

The taste is powerful and intense with gorgeous black fruit, taut tannnins and a long, long finish. Great wine.

96p   (tasted 2002/12)

1982 Château Mouton-Rothschild

A very deep, restrained nose with notes of moist earth, mocha, fried herbs and leather. Refined and just stunning.

The taste is even more restrained that the nose leads you to believe, with sweet dark fruit, broadshouldered tannins and a minute long finish. Very young still, gonna need at least another decade in the cellar.

98p   (tasted 2002/12)

The rest of the bottles:

1989 Krug (96p)

1996 Chevalier-Montrachet Clos des Chevaliers, Chartron & Trebuchet (93p)

1985 Chevalier-Montrachet, Jean Chartron (95p)

1955 Dow´s Vintage Port (94p)

1954 Bual, Blandy´s (91p)

A Very Nice Tasting Dinner - Léclapart, Kongsgaard, L´Evangile, SQN & More

P invited to a tasting dinner, great company and really fine wines - thanks! All wines tasted double blind.

Flight I

2015 Millesimé, Henriot

A fresh, handsome nose with notes of tangerines, chalk and toasted bread. Very, very good.

The taste is cool and elegant with a high acidity, fine fruit and a long, balanced finish. 6+ years.

90p   (tasted 2025/06)

2006 L´Apôtre Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut, David Léclapart

A very deep, mature and gorgeous nose with notes of nougat, smoke, dried yellow fruit and warm sand. 

The taste is velvety and focused with notes of red apple skin, dark bread and chrushed rocks. Very long and lovely.

94p   (tasted 2025/06)

Flight II

2018 Pouilly-Fuissé Vignes Blanches, Jules Desjourneys

A finely tuned, buttery nose with additional notes of candied lemons, soap and sun warm rocks. 

The taste is young and tight with notes of lemon peel, sweet minerals and smoke. A fresh, high acidity. 

91p   (tasted 2025/06)

2009 Chardonnay Block 2, Felton Road

A tight, spicy nose with notes of ripe peach, cap gun smoke and dried up vanilla ice cream. Very fine.

The taste is rich and concentrated with notes of lemon cream, smoke and yellow flowers. Feels very young for a 16 year old wine, that´s screwcap for you. Mature in 30 years?

93p   (tasted 2025/06)

2013 Chardonnay, Kongsgaard

A deep, laid back nose with a fine maturity and notes of lemon spunge cake, salt caramel and minerals. Very fine.

The taste is layered and complex with brilliant fruit, a supporting acidity and a long, long finish. Perfectly mature.

96p   (tasted 2025/06)

Flight III

2005 Roc de Cambes

A cool, finely mature nose with notes of tobacco, dried meat, dried flowers and violets. Very, very good.

The taste is structured, seedy and younger than the nose leads you to believe. Fine black fruit, silky tannins and a long finish. 5+ years.

92p   (tasted 2025/06)

2005 Château Branaire-Ducru

A laid back, earthy nose with notes of black currants, stables and fir wood. Opens up nicely in the glass.

The taste is dry and warm, with firm fruit, notes of spices, leather and graphite. Very long. 7+ years.

92p   (tasted 2025/06)

2012 Château L´Evangile

A lovely, balanced and layered nose with notes of red currants, plums, garrigue and dog fur (in a very positive way).

The taste is structured and handsome with gorgeous fruit, silky tannins and a long, warm finish. Great wine. 

95p   (tasted 2025/06)

2012 Le Dôme

A high, intense nose with notes of violets, iron, fir wood and lots of ripe red plums. Very fine.

The taste is tight and concentrated with taut tannins, massive fruit and a long, juicy finish. 10+ years.

93p   (tasted 2025/06)

2012 Châteauneuf-de-Pape Deus Ex Machina, Clos Saint Jean

Corked! #¤%&%¤#&!!

xxp   (tasted 2025/06)

2009 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Les Safres, Le Clos du Caillou

This was a replacement for the bottle above. It display a cool, somewhat mature nose with notes of cooked cherries, undergrowth, herbs and bakelite.

The taste is upfront and rich with notes of cooked fruit, moist earth and garrigue. A very fine dried up warmth in the finish. Almost fully mature. Long and fine.

90p   (tasted 2025/06)

2008 The Line Grenache, SQN

A very deep, focused nose with notes of sweet violets, dark flowers, meat stock and oodles of ripe blackberries. Intense and very fine.

The taste is big, bald and juicy with lots of concentration but also balance and some finesse. Gorgeous fruit. The finish goes on and on and on. Could go on for 20+ years.

96p   (tasted 2025/06)

2014 Poeira, Jorge M. Nobre Moreira

P thought that we hadn´t had enough, so he went to the cellar and came back with two bottles. A fine, cool nose with notes of blueberries, earth and ink. Very good.

The taste is medium bodied and fresh with notes of blueberries, iron and chrushed rock. Ends on a dry note.

87p   (tasted 2025/06)

1985 Château Siran

A mature, lovely nose with notes of sweet tobacco, stables, vintage leather and autumn leaves. Very fine.

The taste is perfectly mature with soft, sweet fruit, still some nibbling tannins and a long, lingering finish.

92p   (tasted 2025/06)

And to finish the night of:

20 Year Old Tawny, Vallado

A intense, sweet nose with notes of iodine, cinnamon, warm tiles and damsons. Very, very good.

The taste is rich and concentrated with notes of chocolate wafers, damsons, nuts and detergent. Long and warm.

90p   (tasted 2025/06)

2015 Assemblage Extra Brut, Bruno Paillard

2015 Assemblage Extra Brut, Bruno Paillard

60% Pinot Noir & 40% Chardonnay. 4,5 gr dosage. The nose is deep and spicy with notes of hazelnuts, smoke, candied peach and some flowery notes. Very, very good.

The taste is crisp and precise with a very good acidity, notes of red currants, smoke and fried nuts. Better on day two. 4+ years.

92p   (tasted 2025/06)

Some Reds From Bodegas Valdelana

These wines were tasted at Divine´s office a couple of weeks ago. 

2023 Vino de Autor Tempranillo, Bodegas Valdelana

An open, direct nose with notes of plums, blackberries, chocolate and some new wood. Lovely fruit.

The taste is tight and structured with notes of chocolate covered cherries, asphalt and bonfire smoke. Very long and juicy. A bargain at 21 Euro.

92p   (tasted 2025/05)

2022 Crianza Tempranillo, Bodegas Valdelana

A deep, earthy, tight nose with denser, darker fruit than the wine above. Smoky notes. Very intense.

The taste is rich, concentrated and restrained with black fruit, silky tannins and a long, long finish. Needs 5+ years. 

93p   (tasted 2025/05)

2021 Viñedos Singulares Red Juan Valdelana, Bodegas Valdelana

A blend of Garnacha, Graciano, Mazuelo, Tempranillo and Viura from vines planted between 1920 and 1940. The nose is massive and intense yet gorgeously balanced and pure with notes of new leather, plums, warm tiles and dusty earth. Very complex. 

The taste is taut and handsome with steady tannins, rich black fruit and a finish that goes on for a minute. A very fine acidity. 8+ years. Great wine, and a real bargain at 39 Euro.

95p   (tasted 2025/05)

2000 Gigondas, Domaine Raspail-Ay

2000 Gigondas, Domaine Raspail-Ay

A deep, layered nose with notes of fried herbs, bonfire smoke, warm tiles and dried strawberries. A very fine warmth.

The taste is round and pretty with a fine mature structure, warm rich fruit and a long finish that ends on a dry note. Perfectly mature.

91p   (tasted 2025/06)

Then & Now - 1981 & 2019 Château La Tour de By

1981 Château La Tour de By

A soft, mature nose with notes of stables, moist earth, vintage leather and red currants. Hanging in there.

The taste is mature and velvety with notes of dried red fruit, cold coffee and earth. A tad short but a nice drink.

82p   (tasted 2025/06)

2019 Château La Tour de By

From a half bottle. A young, perky nose with notes of black currants, graphite and tobacco leaves. Very good.

The taste is tight and somewhat anonymous, but with some heavy swirling there are notes of black currants, cigarette ashes and pencil shavings. Needs 5+ years.

86p   (tasted 2025/06)

Other vintages of La Tour de By tasted:

Barolista: Then & Now - Château La Tour de By - 1983 & 2007

Barolista: Then & Now - 1989 & 2015 Chateau La Tour de By

Barolista: 2014 Château La Tour De By

Barolista: 2016 Château La Tour de By

2016 Barolo Scarrone, Bava

2016 Barolo Scarrone, Bava

A forward, dusty nose with notes of red currants, licorice and asphalt. Seems a tad simple.

The taste is seedy and dry with notes of dried red fruits, gravel and some dried flowers. Rather short.

80p   (tasted 2025/06)

1980 Barolo, Fratelli Veglio

1980 Barolo, Fratelli Veglio

A deep, earthy, fine nose with notes of violets, dried strawberries, leather and paint. A very fine dried up sweetness. Lovely.

The taste is tight and fine, mature but still delivering quite a punch, with notes of dried strawberries, coffee grounds and earth. A very fine structure. Fully mature but will keep going on this level for 6+ years.

93p   (tasted 2025/05)

2019 Dolcetto d´Alba San Martino, Bruna Grimaldi

2019 Dolcetto d´Alba San Martino, Bruna Grimaldi

An upfront, juicy nose with notes of cranberries, violets, dried flowers and Finnish licorice. Very, very good.

The taste is seedy and fine with a mix of raspberries and blueberries, iron and violets. A long, fine finish.

91p   (tasted 2025/05)

Barolista: A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - Visit To Bruna Grimaldi

Barolista: 2018 Dolcetto d’Alba San Martino, Bruna Grimaldi

Barolista: Two Dolcetto´s (vintage 2021)

Two Baroli From Camerano

2020 Barolo Terlo, Camerano

A fine, laid back, old school nose with notes of roses, Langhe earth, paint and some wild strawberries. Very, very good.

The taste is tight and elegant with notes of hard cherry candy, iron and rosehips. Sturdy, dry tannins that need some cellaring. A very good structure. 6+ years.

90p   (tasted 2025/06)

2019 Barolo Cannubi San Lorenzo, Camerano

A deep, spicy nose with notes of Langhe earth, dried strawberries, asphalt and quinine. Just lovely.

The taste is rich and concentrated with real Cannubi structure, gorgeous fruit, taut tannins and a long, seedy finish. Really fine. 10+ years.

94p   (tasted 2025/06)

2022 Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir, Storm

2022 Santa Barbara County Pinot Noir, Storm

A pure, high nose with gorgeous notes of ripe red currants, raspberry candy, rhubarb, damp earth and some lovely balsamic notes. Very, very fine.

The taste is medium bodied, balanced and handsome with a brilliant acidity, ripe red fruit and a long, lively finish. Still young, I would give this 5+ years in the cellar. 

A tasting sample from Quaffable Wines, will be released on the 18th of July.

94p   (tasted 2025/06)

2017 Barbaresco Riserva Montefico, Produttori di Barbaresco

2017 Barbaresco Riserva Montefico, Produttori di Barbaresco

A stunner. The nose is high and pure with notes of dried up lingonberry jam, salmiak, chocolate wafers and dried flowers. Aristocratic. Lovely.

The taste is cool and concentrated with perfectly polished tannins, perky cherry fruit and a finish that goes on for minutes. Truly great. 5+ years.

97p   (tasted 2025/05)

A Bottle Of Bubbly - 2012 Empreinte, Geoffroy

2012 Empreinte, Geoffroy

A stony, spicy nose with notes of red apples, ripe flowers and chrushed rocks. Very, very good.

The taste is chalky and fine with a steely acidity and a long, crisp finish. 5+ years.

90p   (tasted 2025/05)

1982 Bordeaux - Twelve Bottles

"Nineteen-eighty-two is a vintage of legendary proportions for all levels of the Bordeaux hierarchy."

(Robert Parker)

"this was also a year when the crus bourgeois made some exceptional wines; indeed there were delicious wines at the humblest level."

(David Peppercorn)

A few weeks ago we tasted a line up of some of those wines at a more humble level. They proved to be, for the most part, alive and kicking, and offered up fine drinking pleasure.

Flight I

1982 Château Lalande (Listrac)

A light, fine nose with notes of tobacco, dried black currants, coffee powder and fresh stables. 

The taste is dry and seedy with a fine matured structure, some autumn leaves and a nice warmth in the finish.

87p   (tasted 2025/05)

1982 Château La Graviére Grand Poujeaux (Moulis)

Opens a tad dusty but that blows away and notes of damsons, red apple, tobacco and old furniture emerges.

The taste is dry and fine with notes of dried red and black currants, vintage leather and undergrowth. A very fine warmth.

89p   (tasted 2025/05)

1982 Château Larose- Trintaudon (Haut-Medoc)

A delicate, warm nose with notes of autumn leaves, plums, sugared coffee and stables.

The taste is round and fine with notes of sweet tobacco, leather and charcoal. A long, distinct finish. This is still on the young side of things.

91p   (tasted 2025/05)

1982 Château Brie-Caillou (Medoc)

Corked #¤%&#¤!

Not rated   (tasted 2025/05)

Flight II

1982 Château Carbonnieux (Pessac Leognan)

A damp. earthy nose with notes of green tea, dry tobacco and bakelite. 

The taste is dry and angular with some dry red fruit, a hint of bitterness and a short finish.

78p   (tasted 2025/05)

1982 Le Crock (St. Estephe)

A cool, fine nose with notes of coffee, ripe black currants and autumn leaves. A very fine maturity.

The taste is dry and warm with notes of moist earth, dried black currants and sugared coffee. Very, very good.

88p   (tasted 2025/05)

1982 Château Les Ormes de Pez (St. Estephe)

A deep, forest filled nose with notes of tobacco, smoke and fir wood. Plums and black currants in spades. Very fine.

The taste is tight and fine with purity and finesse. Lovely fruit and a long, silky finish.

92p   (tasted 2025/05)

1982 Château Lynch-Moussas (Pauillac)

A somehat dusty nose that got a bit better with air, dried red currants, gravel and dry tobacco.

The taste is better with still some perky tannins, dried red and black currants and forest floor.

86p   (tasted 2025/05)

Flight III

1982 Château La Grace Dieu (Saint-Emilion)

A deep, mature, almost meaty nose with notes of dried plums, fir wood, sweet tobacco and undergrowth. Very fine.

The taste is nicely concentrated, perfectly mature with ripe plummy fruit and a long, warm finish.

92p   (tasted 2025/05)

1982 Château La Grace Dieu Des Prieurs (Saint-Emilion)

A nice, earthy nose with notes of graphite, damsons and violets. A nice sweetness to the fruit.

The taste is dry and mature with notes of dried plums, dusty earth and a medium long, warm finish.

89p   (tasted 2025/05)

1982 Château du Mignon (Saint-Emilion)

A fine, mature nose with notes of tobacco, charcoal, plums and autumn leaves. Very fine.

The taste is rustic yet elegant with lovely fruit, a very fine warmth and still some perky tannins.

91p   (tasted 2025/05)

1982 Château Grand Corbin (Saint-Emilion)

A somewhat dusty nose with notes of dried black currants, gravel and dry tobacco.

The taste is dry and seedy with notes of violets, dried plums and cigarette ashes. A long warm finish.

85p   (tasted 2025/05)

1977 Château Coutet

1977 Château Coutet

Broadbent on the 77 Sauternes vintage - "poor crop, poor wines". But as always, the proof is in the bottle.

The nose is deep, gorgeously mature with notes of detergent, dried mango, wet hay and orange peel.

The taste is medium bodied and elegant with notes of band aid, moist earth and candied orange peel. Ends on a semi dry note. A lovely drink.

91p   (tasted 2025/05)

1982 - 2021 Barbaresco, La Ca Növa

M invited to a tasting recently. The hidden theme (there were other bottles in the line up that will be posted separately) was nine bottles from La Ca' Növa.  Tasted double blind.

Notes from my visit to the estate - Barolista: The Barolo Boys in Piedmont - A Visit To La Ca´ Növa

2015 Barbaresco Montestefano, La Ca' Növa

A very nice, forest filled nose with additional notes of dried wild strawberries, licorice and sun warm gravel.

The taste is spicy and fine with a very fine red fruit, sweet tannins and a long, balanced finish.

90p   (tasted 2025/05)

1982 Barbaresco, La Ca' Növa

A handsome, elegant, mature nose with notes of undergrowth, dried strawberries and dried roses.

The taste is medium bodied and silky with notes of dried strawberries, smoke and violets. A tad light in the middle taste.

88p   (tasted 2025/05)

1987 Barbaresco Montefico Bric Mentina, La Ca' Növa

A deep, rich nose with notes of sweet/sour raspberries, blue ski wax, veal stock and dried flowers. Very complex and fine.

The taste is tight yet silky and generous with notes of asphalt, violets, raspberries and assorted spices. Very long and lingering. A stunning bottle from a mediocre vintage.

94p   (tasted 2025/05)

1993 Barbaresco Montefico Bric Mentina

A restrained, mature nose with notes of tobacco, moist earth and pomegranate. Very, very good.

The taste is more open than the nose with lovely notes of res cherries, salmiak and violets. Still some nibbling tannins. 

90p   (tasted 2025/05)

2019 Barbaresco Montefico Vigna Bric Mentina, La Ca' Növa

A deep, elegant nose with notes of smoke, ripe red currants, rosehips and Langhe earth. High and fine.

The taste is young and structured with assorted red berries, notes of tobacco and leather, very long and fine. 7+ years.

91p   (tasted 2025/05)

2020 Barbaresco Montefico Vigna Bric Mentina, La Ca' Növa

An open, inviting nose with notes of ripe raspberries, Finnish licorice, smoke and warm gravel. Very complex and fine.

The taste is tight and forward with gorgeous fruit, silky tannins and a finish that goes on and on and on. Great wine. 5+ years.

95p   (tasted 2025/05)

2021 Barbaresco Montefico Vigna Bric Mentina, La Ca' Növa

A deep, layered nose with notes of ripe red cherries, asphalt, leather and rosehips. Very solid and fine.

The taste is young and tight with notes of hard cherry candy, cigarette smoke and earth. Taut tannins, this will need 8+ years in the cellar.

92p   (tasted 2025/05)

2021 Barbaresco Montestefano, La Ca' Növa

Corked! #¤&#%¤&%¤!!

Not rated   (tasted 2025/05)

2020 Barbaresco Montestefano, La Ca' Növa

A high, intense nose with notes of ripening strawberries, rosehips, a hint of tar and tobacco. Very fine.

The taste is warm and structured with gorgeous fruit, silky tannins and a long, long finish. 6+ years.

94p   (tasted 2025/05)

1994 Vintage Port, Croft

1994 Vintage Port, Croft

A deep, velvety nose with notes of charcoal, fried nuts, blackberries and asphalt. Very fine.

The taste is rich and concentrated with notes of blueberry pie, asphalt, iron and damsons. Very long. Still on the young side of things, 8+ years.

92p   (tasted 2025/05)

2019 Brunello di Montalcino, Col d´Orcia

2019 Brunello di Montalcino, Col d´Orcia

A tight, herbal nose with notes of ripe cherries, violet pastilles, warm Tuscan gravel and smoke. A very fine depth. Opens up nicely in the glass.

The taste is young and strapping with lovely sweet cherry fruit, polished tannins and a long, warm finish. For the price, Col d´Orcia is a reliable, often very good Brunello, sometimes even great.

91p   (tasted 2025/05)

More bottles from Col d´Orcia tasted over the years:

Barolista: In Search of Brunello di Montalcino´s Soul - Chapter XXII (vintages 75, 77, 80 and 85)

Barolista: In Search of Brunello di Montalcino´s Soul - Chapter XV (vintages 99, 04, 07)

Barolista: In Search of Brunello di Montalcino´s Soul - Chapter I (vintage 06)

Barolista: Drinking Tonight - 2007 Brunello di Montalcino, Col d´Orcia

Barolista: 2010 & 2012 Brunello Di Montalcino, Col d´Orcia

Barolista: 2015 Brunello di Montalcino, Col d´Orcia

Barolista: 1985 - 2007 Brunello Di Montalcino Poggio Al Vento, Col d´Orcia

Barolista: Drinking Tonight - 2008 Brunello Di Montalcino Poggio Al Vento, Col d´Orcia

Barolista: In Search of Brunello di Montalcino´s Soul - Chapter XXVIII (Poggio al Vento 82, 04)

Barolista: In Search of Brunello di Montalcino´s Soul - Chapter XXXV (Poggio al Vento 01)

Nine Bottles Of Barolo - Rocche di Castiglione

T invited to a fascinating tasting, consisting of nine different expressions of Rocche di Castiglione. T & P had amassed the bottles and an evening a couple of weeks ago it was time to taste them.

Great company, stellar food and nine bottles of Barolo, the recipe for a fantastic evening!

Flight I

2020 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione, Oddero

A handsome, balanced nose with notes of dried strawberries, black tea and, with air, some toffee notes. Very fine.

The taste is young and forward with a fine structure for medium aging, polished tannins and a long, silky finish. 5+ years.

93p   (tasted 2025/05)

2020 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione, Paolo Scavino

A big, tight nose with notes of fir wood, asphalt, ski wax and a hint of dark chocolate. 

The taste is rich and plentiful with notes of ripe cherries, chocolate biscuits and asphalt. A tad angular in the finish, I guess that this needs some time in the cellar.

91p   (tasted 2025/05)

2020 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione, Ceretto

A young, restrained nose with notes of cement, candle grease, ripe cherries and some balsamic notes.

The taste is is tight and seedy with notes of cherry pips, fir wood, forest floor and iron. Very long. 6+ years.

90p   (tasted 2025/05)

Flight II

2015 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione, Roccheviberti

A deep, light meaty nose with notes of dried flowers, rust, orange peel and ripe cherries. Complex and fine.

The taste is tight and concentrated with sandy tannine, ripe cherry fruit and a long, intense finish. Needs more time in the cellar, 7+ years.

92p   (tasted 2025/05)

2015 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione, Fratelli Monchiero

A damp cellar note came and vent, so it was not corked but something wasn´t right with this bottle.

Not rated   (tasted 2025/05)

2015 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione, Vietti

A deep, velvety nose with notes of smoke, roses, dried raspberries and Lange earth. Very fine.

The taste is structured and fine with silky tannins, assorted ripe red berries and a long, juicy finish. 4+ years.

93p   (tasted 2025/05)

Flight III

2013 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione, Arnaldo Rivera

Oak, oak and then some notes of hard cherry candy, tobacco, rosehips and....oak. I can stand a healthy dose of oak but the line up from Arnaldi Rivera contains too much. Too bad, they have access to lots of great raw material.

The taste is tight and dry with notes of leather, ripening cherries and undergrowth. And oak. Maybe 10+ years in the cellar will integrate the oak (as with Clerico´s wines), but I wouldn´t bet on it.

82p   (tasted 2025/05)

2013 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione, Sordo

A deep, forward nose with notes of dried up cherry jam, ripe herbs, minerals and rosehip. Very, very good.

The taste is still young and perky with notes of hard cherry candy, sweet minerals, dried flowers and licorice. Long and fine. 5+ years.

91p   (tasted 2025/05)

2013 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione, Brovia

My WOTN. A restrained, refined nose with notes of ripe cherries, licorice, violets and Langhe earth. Lovely.

The taste is rich and concentrated with brilliant fruit, a fantastic balance and a structure for longevity. Great wine.

95p   (tasted 2025/05)