It is always a treat to visit the sisters Scavino - Elisa & Enrica. I have been fortunate to do just that for several years, although it was a couple of years since my last visits - Barolista: Paolo Scavino - Two Fantastic Visits With Elisa Scavino.
I tasted the whole line up of the -22´s at Grandi Langhe in January - Barolista: The Barolo Boys Does Grandi Langhe 2026 - so Elisa was ever so kind to open all -23´s for me, although it took some work to find all bottles, se pic below.
1976 Barolo
I brought this bottle for Elisa to taste, and after tasting it she got Enrica and her son to taste it. Not the greatest of vintages but this bottle showed that it is the bottle that counts, not a vintage chart.
The nose is earthy and mature with notes of dried up strawberry jam, some spicy notes, cold coffee and fir wood. A fine dried up sweetness.
The taste is of an old style elegance with notes of undergrowth, dried cherries and asphalt. A medium long, dry finish. We had a discussion about a hint of cork taint but in the end, with more air, it wasn´t, just a confined wine that needed air to breathe.
88p (tasted 2026/09)
2023 Barolo
A handsome, somewhat balsamic nose with notes of ripe cherries and damsons.
The taste is tight and elegant with the feeling of chewing on cherry pips, dry licorice and rosehips. 5+ years.
91p (tasted 2026/09)
2023 Barolo Bricco Ambrogio
A refined, low keyed nose with notes of red apple skin, tobacco and Langhe earth. Very fine.
The taste is forward and fine with notes of hard cherry candy, tobacco and dried flowers. Sweet tannins. 7+ years.
94p (tasted 2026/09)
2023 Barolo Monvigliero
A deep, finely tuned notes with notes of cinnamon, red currants and paint. Very, very good.
The taste is elegant and fruit forward with sweet red fruit, silky tannins and notes of dry licorice and moist earth. 5+ years.
93p (tasted 2026/09)
2023 Barolo Ravera
A fresh, stony nose with notes of dried meat, ripe cherries and dry licorice. Pure and fine.
The taste is tight and elegant with notes of coffee, licorice and bakelite. Needs time, 8+ years.
93p (tasted 2026/09)
2023 Barolo Rocche dei Castiglione
A brilliant nose with notes of ripe cherries, fir wood, paint and sweet Langhe earth. Lovely.
The taste is rich and focused with gorgeous fruit, polished tannins and a long, lingering finish. Great wine. 10+ years.
96p (tasted 2026/09)
2023 Barolo Bussia Vigna Fantini
A deep, smoky nose with notes of black cherries, iron and undergrowth. A fine intensity.
The taste is tight, aristocratic and backward with gorgeous black fruit and a structure for aging, 9+ years.
95p (tasted 2026/09)
2023 Barolo Prapo
A high, finely perfumed nose with notes of mushrooms, hard cherry candy and asphalt. Very fine.
The taste is rich and seedy with notes of sloe berries, iron and rosehips. Very long. 8+ years.
94p (tasted 2026/09)
2023 Barolo Bric dël Fiasc
Bric dël Fiasc is always a stunner, and the -23 shows of a brilliant, focused nose with notes of black cherries, leather and hot tiles. Very refined.
The taste is high and ethereal with beautiful black fruit, polished tannins, a stunning balance and a finish that goes on and on. 12+ years.
97p (tasted 2026/09)
2023 Barolo Riserva Rocche dell´Annunziata
A deep, restrained nose with layers upon layers with the best cherry fruit imaginable, with additional notes of fir wood, dark perfume and the best tobacco out there. Just stunning.
The taste is rich, complex and utterly beautiful with every knot and bolt in place. Just needs 10+ years. Truly great.
98p (tasted 2026/09)
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