Tasting New Releases At Vingruppen

Some highlights from a recent tasting of new releaseas at Vingruppen.

2020 Sta Rita Hills Chardonnay, Sandhi

A fine, spicy nose with ripe lemons and peaches. The taste has a very fine acidity and lots of ripe lemons and white flowers. Salivating. Release date - 10/3.

91p   (tasted 2023/02)

2020 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, Kutch

A elegant, cool nose that leads to a handsome, tight taste with notes of passionfruit and lemon cream. Very long. Release date - 10/3.

92p   (tasted 2023/02)

2016 Clos Serteaux, Eric Morgat

A stunner. Chenin Blanc doesn´t get much better than this. Gorgeous fruit, brilliant acidity and a lenght that is counted in minutes. Release date - 10/3.

96p   (tasted 2023/02)

2020 Gevrey-Chambertin Les Seuvrées, Robert Groffier

A very deep, old school Pinot nose and a tight, concentrated taste with all the stuffing for a great future, if you give this 10+ years.

93p   (tasted 2023/02)

2019 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir, Merry Edwards

Ripe raspberries, bay leaves and forest floor are to be found on the nose and on the palate this fine Pinot offers up spices, earth and assorted red fruits. Release date - 3/3.

92p   (tasted 2023/02)

2020 Crozes-Hermitage Les Amandiers, Domaine de Murinais

A real bargain for 20 Euro, this Crozes display a peppery, blackberry filled nose and a iron filled taste with great fruit and lenght. Release date - 10/3.

90p   (tasted 2023/02)

2019 Côte-Rôtie, Xavier Gérard

Classic Syrah from Côte-Rôtie with 4% Viognier. Elegant and racy with white pepper, ripe blackberries and bay leaves. There are tons of violet pastilles that hit the palate when you taste this beauty. Very fine. Release date - 3/3.

93p   (tasted 2023/02)

2020 El Escolladero, Artuke

A deep, dark, refined nose and a tight concentrated taste, both with ripe wild raspberries, hints of dark chocolate and lots of fresh herbs. Release date - 30/3.

92p   (tasted 2023/02)

2020 La Condenada, Artuke

A gorgeous wine, with stunning notes of plums, licorice, herbs and asphalt. The finish goes on and on and on. Release date - 30/3.

95p   (tasted 2023/02)

2016 Château La Grâce

A forward, deep nose with classic left bank Bordeaux aromas in the shape of plums, fresh stables and new leather. On the palate there is a hint of oak but there is plenty of fruit to manage it.

91p   (tasted 2023/02)

2016 Barolo Cannubi, Giacomo Borgogno

A high, pure nose with notes of cherries, rosehips, earth and some balsamic notes. The taste is young and structured with a fine aging potential. 8+ years. Release date - 9/3.

91p   (tasted 2023/02)

2016 Barolo Fossati, Giacomo Borgogno

The Fossati is more backward with notes of black tea, iron and fir wood. On the palate it is tight and focused with hard cherry candy and iodine. Very fine. 8+ years. Release date - 9/3.

93p   (tasted 2023/02)

2016 Barolo Liste, Giacomo Borgogno

A finely focused nose with lots going on under a tight structure. Hints of licorice, earth, red tea and hard cherry candy. The taste is taut and iron filled with big tannins and a long, long finish. 10+ years. Release date - 9/3.

93p   (tasted 2023/02)

2021 Riesling Icewine, Inniskillin

A high, very intense nose with notes of candied lemons, apricots, wet stones and detergent. The taste is massively concentrated yet the finish is almost semi dry. A very fine acidity.

94p   (tasted 2023/02)

The rest of the wines tasted:

2022 Albariño Atlantico, Bodega Cerro del Toro   (86p)

2022 Reserve Chardonnay, Creation   (89p)

2018 Dix-Neuvième, Pearl Morisette   (90p)

2022 Finca Feliz Naranjo de Pedro Gimenez, Bodega Clement   (86p)

2019 Gamay, Bass Philip   (88p)

2020 Bourgogne Passetoutgrain, Robert Groffier   (88p)

2020 Bourgogne Rouge, Robert Groffier   (89p)

2020 Sta Rita Hills Pinot Noir, Sandhi   (88p)

2021 Racines de Ciel, Pearl Morissette   (88p)

2021 P.F., Ponce   (88p)

Five Cabernet Bottles

These bottles were tasted a acouple of weeks ago in our monthly tasting group. Tasted double blind.

2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Howell Mountain, Dunn

A deep, warm nose with assorted black fruit, a hint of dry vanilla, sugared coffee and leather. Some maturity. Very, very fine.

The taste is complex and semi mature with velvety black fruit, silky tannins and a long, long warm finish. A fine intensity. 4+ years.

94p   (tasted 2023/01)

2008 Château Pontet Canet

A large scaled nose with notes of blueberries, iron, spices and dried flowers. A tad foursquare.

The taste is closed but concentrated and rich with notes of iron, earth and red beets. Tannins that dries out the mouth. Wait and see?

87p   (tasted 2023/01)

1994 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve, Beringer

A big, bold nose with notes of ripe black currants, cigarr, Finnish licorice and some dark chocolate. Very deep with some maturity (no one was even close guessing its age...).

The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of sandelwood, dried black currants, cigarr and earth. Long and very fine.

92p   (tasted 2023/01)

2003 Cabernet Sauvignon, Philip Togni

A cool, collected nose with notes of ripe black currants, bakelit, smoke and a hint of mint. A laid back elegance.

The taste is tight and concentrated with chewable tannins, ripe black currants, leather and fir wood. Very young, 8+ years.

90p   (tasted 2023/01)

2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Selection Cask 881, Raymond

A deep, inky nose with notes of ripe black currants, blackberries, chocolate and leather. Rich and fine.

The taste is seedy and tight with ripe black fruit, high octan chocolate, bonfire smoke and asphalt. Needs time, 6+ years.

89p   (tasted 2023/01)

The Barolo Boys In Piedmont - Visit To Giacomo Grimaldi

My first vist to this 18 ha large estate, who made their first own bottling in 1986 (they have sold grapes for decades). Alberto showed us a great time and poured these bottles.

2022 Langhe Sauvignon

Made from grapes grown in Monforte, 50% Sauvignon Blanc, 50% Sauvignon Gris. The nose is fruity and crisp with notes of grass, melon and green candy (gröna fazer kulor for all you Swedes).

The taste is cool and grassy with additional notes of gooseberries and gravel. A very good acidity.

87p   (tasted 2023/01)

2021 Dolcetto d´Alba

An open, spicy nose with notes of blueberry juice, black pepper and licorice. Very good.

The taste is light and pure with notes of plums, blueberries and asphalt. A tad short. 

85p   (tasted 2023/01)

2021 Barbera d´Alba Pistin

A large scaled nose with notes of bay leaves, raspberries, bakelit and dusty earth. Deep. 

The taste is warm and spicy with notes of ripe cherries, warm earth and herbs. A very good acidity.

87p   (tasted 2023/01)

2020 Nebbiolo d´Alba Vigna Valmaggiore

From this famous vineyard comes this Nebbiolo with a pure, warm nose with notes of cherries, rosehips and licorice. Some assorted spices. 

The taste is well put together with a nice cherry fruit, soft tannins and a long, dry finish. 4+ years.

88p   (tasted 2023/01)

2019 Barolo Ravera

It was when we came to the Baroli that this estate really hit its stride. This comes from a 0,5 ha large plot and was first bottled on its own in 2016. Grimaldi have owned the plot since 1980. 

The nose is tight and sappy with spicy cherries, a hint of rubber, moist earth, Finnish licorice and violets. Complex and fine.

The taste is young and focused with notes of licorice covered cherries, undergrowth, tobacco and violets. A long, classy finish. 8+ years.

92p   (tasted 2023/01)

2019 Barolo Sotto Castello di Novello

A very deep, dark nose with lovely notes of incense, licorice, wild raspberries, fir wood and tar. Very fine.

The taste is racy and energetic with dark sweet fruit, sappy tannins and a long, long finish. From a 4 ha large vineyard. 8+ years.

93p   (tasted 2023/01)

2016 Barolo Riserva Le Coste

A stunner. The nose is beautiful with depth, focus and intensity. Lovely notes of hard cherry candy, expensive leather, roses and a deep perfumed note. 

The taste is seamless and multi layered with fantastic fruit, electric tannins and a structure for long aging. Perfection in the making, just give it 10+ years. Available at the state monopoly for a price lower than at the estate...worth every penny, glad I have some bottles.

97p   (tasted 2023/01)

The Barolo Boys In Piedmont - Visit To Giovanni Manzone

Mauro and Giovanni

My first visit to the Giovanni Manzone but hopefully not my last! Mauro took great care of The Barolo Boys and poured some great wines. An almost three hour visit that seemed like twenty minutes.

2019 Langhe Rossese Bianco Rosserto

The first vintage of the Rossese Bianco (not to be confused with the ccccc from Rossese di Dolceaqua) was 1982. Only 5 producers continue to grow this grape in Langhe.

The nose is open and fruity with notes of peach, ripe lemons and warm gravel. Very good.

The taste is forward and fresh with notes of lemon cream, dry peach and a hint of smoke. 

87p   (tasted 2023/01)

2016 Langhe Rossese Bianco Rosserto

And Rossese Bianco can age. The 2016 offers up a little more restrained character with notes of lime, lemon peel, gravel and dried tangerines. Very, very good.

The taste is tight and elegant with a fine acidity, lovely lemon fruit and a medium long, dry finish.

88p   (tasted 2023/01)

2014 Langhe Rossese Bianco Rosserto

The oldest of the trio shows some maturity on the nose in the shape of dried yellow plums, hay and autumn apples. Good.

The taste is dry and mineral laden with notes of dried plums, gravel and a high acidity. A tad short.

85p   (tasted 2023/01)

2021 Dolcetto d´Alba Le Ciliegie

A open, juicy nose with a mix of blue- and raspberries alongside notes of iron, violets and warm rocks. Salivating.

The taste is fresh and forward with silky tannins and a fine blueberry fruit. Very, very good. 

88p   (tasted 2023/01)

2021 Barbera d´Alba le Ciliegie

A warm, fine nose with notes of raspberry licorice, warm gravel, violets and ripe flowers. Very, very good.

The taste is medium bodied with warm red fruit, nice herbal notes and a fine acidity. A fine warmth.

89p   (tasted 2023/01)

2018 Barbera d´Alba Superiore La Marchese

A deep, rich nose with notes of ripe raspberries, Finnish licorice, hot earth and herbs. Very fine.

The taste is big and intense but with a gorgeous balance, sweet black fruit and cleansing acidity. Lovely.

92p   (tasted 2023/01)

2020 Langhe Nebbiolo Il Crutin

A rather large scaled nose with earthy notes alongside cooked cherries and asphalt. A bit all over the place.

The taste is tight and better balanced than the nose with notes of ripe cherries, rosehips and dried mushrooms. 4+ years.

88p   (tasted 2023/01)

2018 Barolo Castelletto

The 18 Castelletto is a beauty with a deep, refined with notes of hard cherry candy, polished mahogany, dried flowers and rosehips. Very fine.

The taste is tight and racy with a gorgeous purity to the fruit, structured tannins and a long, distinct finish. 8+ years.

93p   (tasted 2023/01)

2018 Barolo Gramolere

The family own 3 ha in Gramolere. This is a stunner. The nose is very deep and focused with multi layered notes of iron, ripe black cherries, black olives, dry licorice, forest floor and violets. Very intense and impressive.

The taste follows the nose with brilliant fruit, perfect tannin structure and a finish that goes on for minutes. Roses en masse. Great wine. 10+ years.

96p   (tasted 2023/01)

2016 Barolo Bricát

The Bricàt is a small plot in Gramolere, made since the 1993 vintage. The nose is deep and handsome with notes of dried cherries, tobacco, iron and blood pudding. Very fine. 

The taste is rich and concentrated with lovely notes of asphalt, ripe cherries, fresh herbs and tobacco. Very, very long. 8+ years.

94p   (tasted 2023/01)

2015 Barolo Riserva Gramolere

Then followed two Riserva´s. The 15 displays a deep, concentrated nose with notes of dried up cherry jam, red apple skin, Langhe earth and dried flowers. High and fine.

The taste is taut and structured with lots of dried cherries and additional notes of sage, herbs, rosehips and asphalt. Very, very long. 6+ years.

94p   (tasted 2023/01)

2009 Barolo Riserva Gramolere

Mauro was ever so nice and fetched a bottle of the 09 Riserva Gramolere, which oozed up from the glass with notes of leather, dried cherries, forest floor and tobacco. Some maturity. A very fine warmth.

The taste is open for business with a fine warmth and notes of cold coffee, dried cherries, forest floor and dried flowers. Long and lingering. Very fine. 5+ years.

93p   (tasted 2023/01)

2018 Vigna Alta Terre di Pisa, Badia di Morrona

2018 Vigna Alta Terre di Pisa, Badia di Morrona

A tasting sample from the estate, of which I was unknowing until they contacted me. It sounded interesting so I accepted a bottle. Glad I did, for this is a stellar Sangiovese. 

The Gaslini Alberti family has owned the estate for almost a century. The estate consists of 110 ha but the Vigna Alta is a 8,5 ha big plot and it has been produced since 1994. After malo the wine rests for 25 months in 25 hl French oak, followed by 3 months in concrete vats before bottling. 8000 bottles produced.

The nose soars from the glass w,ith gorgeous notes of ripe red cherries, rosemary, polished mahogany, violets, nougat and a touch of cinnamon. A very fine complexity.

The taste is tight and focused with notes of hard cherry candy, herbs, violets, cold coffee and some balsamic notes. Long, balanced and fine. 8+ years. Tasted over two days.

93p   (tasted 2023/02)

The Barolo Boys In Piedmont - Visit To Serio & Battista Borgogno

We met up with Federica Boffa on a early Saturday morning at the Serio & Battista estate, in the middle of Cannubi, of which the own 3 ha. 

Federica is the 5th generation that runs the estate together with Emanuela Bolla and their respective families. Federica was a great host and showed us the cellars and poured the bottles below. I´ll be back.

2021 Langhe Nascetta

A fresh, spicy nose with the ususal white peppar note and additional notes of dried peach and almonds.

The taste is cool and spicy with a nice acidity and a good length. A very good Nascetta.

87p   (tasted 2023/01)

2019 Barbera d´Alba Superiore

A warm, herbal nose with notes of dry licorice, undergrowth and ripe raspberries. Very, very good.

The taste is broad and fine with a very good acidity and plenty of raspberry fruit. A fine length.

88p   (tasted 2023/01)

2021 Langhe Nebbiolo

This Nebbiolo sees only steel barrels and it made in a upfront, juicy way with a crisp nose with notes of wild strawberries, rosehips and a touch of tobacco. Very, very good.

The taste is easy going, fresh and fruity with a good acidity, soft tannins and ripe red fruit. A highly gulpable Nebbiolo.

88p   (tasted 2023/01)

2020 Nebbiolo d´Alba

This is made in a more traditional manner with fermentation in wood and storage in used wood before bottling. The nose is deep and herbal with notes of dried raspberries, dried flowers, asphalt and rosehips.

The taste is tight and finely structured with dried red fruits, strict tannins and notes of dried flowers, leather and asphalt. Very, very good.

89p   (tasted 2023/01)

2019 Barolo 

The classic Barolo from grapes from Novello and Monforte displays a balanced and rather elegant nose with notes of red cherries, gravel, undergrowth and some mushrooms. 

The taste is young and fine with silky tannins, fine red fruit and long balanced finish. 6+ years.

90p   (tasted 2023/01)

2019 Barolo Albarella

2018 was the first vintage of Albarella, a MGA in Barolo. The nose is handsome and elegant with notes of dried strawberries, red licorice, flowers and rosehips. Very fine.

The taste is tight and low keyed but with a very fine red fruit character, silky tannins and long, long finish. This is going to be great in 8+ years.

93p   (tasted 2023/01)

2019 Barolo Cannubi

The estate has 3 ha in the middle of Cannubi and the 2019 shows a deep, focused nose with notes of iron, dried strawberries, dried flowers and hints of tobacco. A restrained elegance.

The taste is tight and broad shouldered with great fruit, taut tannins and very long structured finish. This will need 10+ years. Very classic.

93p   (tasted 2023/01)

2014 Barolo Cannubi

A round, maturing nose with notes of dried up raspberry jam, licorice, wet earth and tobacco. 

The taste is round and soft with a nice red fruit, soft tannins and a medium long finish with notes of Finnish licorice, herbs and melting asphalt. Very, very good.

88p   (tasted 2023/01)

2016 Barolo Riserva Cannubi

A stunner. A very deep, complex nose with gorgeous notes of hard cherry candy, licorice, hot earth, rosehips and tobacco. Very, very fine.

The taste is racy and focused with notes of ripe cherries, licorice, undergrowth, tobacco and tar. The finish goes on and on. Very balanced. The tannins really kick in in the end of the finish. Great wine. 10+ years.

96p   (tasted 2023/01)

The Barolo Boys allocation was put forward... :-)

Four Great Bottles

M invited to a casual tasting with some stunning bottles of wine. Four of us, some burgers and four great bottles.

Tasted double blind.

2001 Barolo Monprivato, Giuseppe Mascarello

A deep, almost mature nose with gorgeous notes of mushrooms, dark cherries, rosehips, licorice and a touch of mint. Like a perfect autumn forest walk. High and fine.

The taste is refined and younger than the nose leads you to believe. Lovely notes of iron, dried ceps, violets and ripe cherries. Very balanced with silky tannins and a long, long finish. My favourite to drink today. Pegged as a Barolo but I thought it was a tad older than a 2001.

95p   (tasted 2023/01)

2016 La Ricolma, San Giusto A Rentennano

This 100% Merlot shows of a very deep, young and focused nose with notes of plums, ripe cherries, pomegranate, fresh stables and hints of dark chocolate. Very, very fine.

The taste is tight and very concentrated with everything in place. Stunning fruit, seamless focus and built for the ages. It just needs 8+ years. I had this a Super Tuscan dominated by Sangiovese.

97p   (tasted 2023/01)

2000 Château Ducru-Beaucaillou

"A classic Bordeaux" - the guesses were unanimous. And a great one at that. The nose oozes up from the glass with refined notes of cigarette ashes, herbs, cold coffee, fresh stables and lots of ripe black currants. Lovely.

The taste is at 23 years of age still tight and focused with polished tannins, great black currant fruit and a structure for 20 more years. Great wine.

95p   (tasted 2023/01)

1998 Shiraz Reserve, Fox Creek

Tasted many times over the years, since I bought a bunch about 20 years ago. I got the grape right but I placed this in California and several years younger. This will go on and on and on.

The nose is big and dark with notes of ripe plums, iron, rubber, meat and Christmas spices. Very fine.

The taste is ripe and concentrated with massive black fruit and a stern intensity. Manages to be elegant despice the huge framework. 

95p   (tasted 2023/01)