Tasting Some Bottles From Vietti

I got an invitation from Vingruppen to taste some Vietti wines with Urs Vetter, Commercial Director at Vietti. 

My first visit to Vietti was in 2008 and I have tasted a lot from this producer, both new vintages and old, for instance the 1967 Rocche a couple of months ago -Barolista: Tasting Dinner With Vintages Ending With A "7".

2021 Barbera d´Asti La Crena

From 85 year old vines. The nose is big and spicy with lots of juicy raspberry fruit and additional notes of herbs, licorice and sun warm rocks. Very fine.

The taste is open and fruity with notes of wild raspberries, fried herbs, licorice and warm sand. Long and fine.

92p   (tasted 2024/10)

2021 Langhe Nebbiolo Perbacco

A deep, cool and elegant LN with notes of cherries, asphalt, rosehips and a hockeypuck. Very, very good.

The taste is tight and nicely concentrated with handsome tannins, ripe red/black fruits and perky tannins. Maybe the best Perbacco I have ever tasted.

92p   (tasted 2024/10)

2020 Barolo Castiglione

A laid back nose with notes of dried cherries, road dust, rosehips and forest floor. Very, very good.

The taste is medium bodied and cool with notes of violets, rosehips and dried cherries. Young of course but this is drinkable now.

91p   (tasted 2024/10)

2020 Barbaresco Roncaglie

A beautiful, fresh nose with notes of ripe flowers, hard cherry candy, wet earth and Christmas spices. Lovely.

The taste is racy and refined with notes of hard cherry candy, roses, chrushed rocks and a hint of mint. Great wine.

94p   (tasted 2024/10)

2020 Barolo Brunate

A deep, high, stony nose with notes of ripe cherries, Langhe earth, rosehips and a fine perfumed note. Very pure.

The taste is tight and focused with notes of hard cherry candy, licorice and moist earth. Polished tannins. Lovely. 8+ years.

94p   (tasted 2024/10)

2020 Barolo Lazzarito

A rich, concentrated nose with notes of chrushed rocks, black cherries, freshly washed linen and asphalt. Gorgeous.

The taste is dark and seedy with brilliant fruit, taut tannins and a minute long finish. Serralunga power in its best expression. 10+ years.

96p   (tasted 2024/10)

2020 Barolo Monvigliero

A cool, refined nose with notes of dried strawberries, incense and fresh herbs. High and fine.

The taste is light and fine with lovely red fruit, velvety tannins and a long, pure finish. Very fine. 5+ years.

93p   (tasted 2024/10)

2019 Barbaresco Riserva Rabaja

A high, intense nose with notes of expensive leather, hard cherry candy, dried flowers and Langhe earth. Just stunning.

The taste is tight and concentrated with rich, velvety cherry fruit, perfect tannins and a impressive structure for aging. Truly great. 8+ years. 

97p   (tasted 2024/10)

2011 Barolo Riserva Arborina, Marco Curto

2011 Barolo Riserva Arborina, Marco Curto

A deep, intense, mature nose with notes of sweet/sour strawberries, dried flowers, freshly polished mahogany, red beets and black tea. Very complex and fine.

The taste is velvety and handsome with notes of dried strawberries, salmiak, rosehips and ceps. A long finish with rounded tannins and a fine acidity. In a perfect drinking stage.

Notes from my visit to Nadia in 2022 - Barolista: A Couple Of Days in Piedmont - Visit To Alessandria Crissanti & Marco Curto.

94p   (tasted 2024/10)

2018 Cornas Les Côtes, Jean-Baptise Souillard

2018 Cornas Les Côtes, Jean-Baptise Souillard

Drunk at Brasserie Balcaz in Stockholm - highly recommended. The nose is tight and refined with notes of black pepper, boatloads of violets, fresh flowers and chrushed rock. High and fine.

The taste is perky and concentrated with notes of dried meat, violets, expensive leather and sand. A long, distinct finish. 5+ years.

92p   (tasted 2024/10)

2022 Moulin-à-Vent Champ de Cour Château des Jacques, Louis Jadot

2022 Moulin-à-Vent Champ de Cour Château des Jacques, Louis Jadot

A finely tuned, low keyed nose with notes of cranberries, rhubarb, fir wood and freshly washed linen. Very, very good.

The taste is young and structured with a fine acidity, silky tannins and a backbone for aging, 6+ years.

90p   (tasted 2024/10)

2008 Barolo Mantoetto, Umberto Fracassi

2008 Barolo Mantoetto, Umberto Fracassi

The only MGA from Cherasco and made by one of the most charming men in Langhe, see below notes from my two visits to Umberto and a note from a older bottle (will drink the 1964 soon).

The nose is low keyed and pure with notes of hard cherry candy, dried flowers, black tea and licorice. Cool and very fine.

The taste is still young and tight with notes of red currants, paint, iron and rosehips. A long finish with nicely polished tannins. 6+ years.

92p   (tasted 2024/10)

Barolista: The Barolo Boys In Piedmont - A Visit To Umberto Fracassi

Barolista: A Couple Of Days in Piedmont - Visit To Umberto Fracassi

Barolista: 1962 Barolo, Marchese Fracassi di Torre Rossano

1970 & 1990 Château Coufran

1970 Château Coufran

A fine, soft, mature nose with notes of dried up black currant jam, dog fur, undergrowth and vintage leather.

The taste is dry and mature with notes of chocolate wafers, dried red currants, autumn leaves and leather. A very fine maturity.

88p   (tasted 2024/09)

1990 Château Coufran

A tight, structured nose with notes of graphite, ripe black currants, iron and green peppers. Very, very good.

The taste is taut and fine with notes of sage, ripe black currants, bakelite and coffee. Long and earthy. Nicely structured. Could evolve some more.

90p   (tasted 2024/09)

Seven American Pinot Noirs

It was H:s turn to host our monthly tasting and he poured the following wines. Tasted double blind, I had them pegged as from Burgundy...

2014 Les Larmes Pinot Noir, Littorai

A restrained, finely tuned nose with notes of assorted red fruits, bakelite and forest floor.

The taste is young and fresh with notes of pomegranate, violets and a flowery note. A tad light in structure.

87p   (tasted 2024/09)

2014 La Source Pinot Noir, Evening Land

An open, earthy nose with notes of ripe raspberries, rhubarb and smoke. There are some fine green notes in the background.

The taste is tight and herbal with a fine raspberry fruit, a salivating acidity and a fine balance. 4+ years.

90p   (tasted 2024/09)

2014 Raschen Ridge Pinot Noir, Hirsch

A earthy, warm nose with notes of ripe red currants, dried raspberries and root vegetables. Deep and fine.

The taste is young and restrained with a fine sweet fruit that is a bit hidden today. A very good length. 6+ years.

90p   (tasted 2024/09)

2014 La Côte St Rita Hills Pinot Noir, Domaine de la Côte

A deep, somewhat mature, rich nose with notes of dried strawberries, asphalt, cooked root vegetables and moist earth. Very complex and fine.

The taste is round and sweet with sumptuous red fruit, silky tannins and a long ample finish. In a great drinking phase.

94p   (tasted 2024/09)

2014 Duvarita Vineyard Pinot Noir, Chanin

A spicy, warm nose with notes of rhubarb, raspberries, bonfire smoke and salmiak. Very deep.

The taste is open and rich with notes of raspberries, figs, smoke and forest floor. Very long. 4+ years.

93p   (tasted 2024/09)

2014 Bearwallow Vineyard Pinot Noir, Rhys

A deep, meaty nose with notes of fried herbs, ripe raspberries, coffee powder and licorice. Lovely.

The taste is tight and concentrated with a restrained red fruit, a high acidity and a long, juicy finish. This will need time, 7+ years.

93p   (tasted 2024/09)

2014 Alpine Vineyard Pinot Noir, Rhys

This got me reminiscing of young Dujac, Rosseau, Meo-Camuzet etc back in the days when they were tasted on a regular basis... A high, layered nose with notes of strawberries, Asian spices, warm sand, forest floor and incense. Just stunning.

The taste is tight and focused with a gorgeous balance, dripping sweet red fruits and a finish that goes on and on. Grand Cru level. 8+ years.

96p   (tasted 2024/09)

2022 Kalterersee Classico Superiore 5uintessenz, Cantina Kaltern

2022 Kalterersee Classico Superiore 5uintessenz, Cantina Kaltern

A pure, balanced nose with notes of ripe red currants, dried raspberries, Lily of the Valley and iron. Uplifting and fine.

The taste is young and seedy with chalky notes of red currants, bakelite and white flowers. A very fine acidity. 4+ years.

92p   (tasted 2024/09)

Other bottles from Cantina Kaltern:

Barolista: 2023 Kalterersee Classico Superiore, Cantina Kaltern

Barolista: 2023 Kalterersee Classico Superiore Leuchtenberg, Cantina Kaltern

A 1964 Pomerol Dinner - Part III Of The Autumn Of The Greatest Vintage Ever

Flight I

1964 Cellier Privé D´Herville, R. D´Herville

We started with a corked 1964 Morstein Spätlese, too bad. After that I poured three wines from Burgundy to get the tastebuds going.

A low keyed, nice nose with notes of forest floor, dried herbs and dried red berries.

The taste is light and mature with a shy elegance, a fine acidity and a dry finish. Very good, better than expected.

85p   (tasted 2024/09)

1964 Moulin-Á-Vent, J M. de Saissy

A dark, earthy notes with notes of dark fudge, dog fur and stables. A bit murky.

The taste is cool and herbal with a dried up sweetness and a rather short finish.

78p   (tasted 2024/09)

1964 Auxey-Duresses Chevalier du Tastevin, Guy Leblanc

A deep, round nose with notes of dried strawberries, autumn leaves, Christmas spices and cold coffee.

The taste is silky and fine with dried red fruits, a fine acidity, a good warmth and length.

90p   (tasted 2024/09)

Flight II

1964 Château Bourgneuf

A deep, soft nose with notes of plums, coffee powder, tobacco and violets. A fine maturity.

The taste is tight and dry with inky black fruit, tobacco and old chocolate. Very, very good.

88p   (tasted 2024/09)

1964 Château La Pointe

A deep, nicely perfumed nose with notes of black currants, dark herbs, stables and undergrowth. Very fine.

The taste is concentrated and fine with notes of plums, chocolate and asphalt. A very fine maturity. 

91p   (tasted 2024/09)

1964 Château de Sales

A large scaled, somewhat foursquare nose with notes of dark bread, iron, earth and tobacco.

The taste is seedy and mature with dried black fruit, moist earth, tobacco and plums.

86p   (tasted 2024/09)

Flight III

1964 Château Certan de May de Certan

A dark, ethereal nose with notes of ripe plums, coffee powder, bonfire and moist earth. Lovely.

The taste is structured and fine with gorgeous black fruit, soft tannins and a long, silky finish. 

93p   (tasted 2024/09)

1964 Château Le Gay

A deep, plummy nose with notes of tobacco, fir wood, candle grease and leather. Very fine.

The taste is tight and focused with cooked black fruit and notes of asphalt, tobacco and old wood.

91p   (tasted 2024/09)

1964 Château Nenin

A forest filled nose with notes of dried red fruits, forest floor, fir wood and old leather.

The taste is tight and dry with dried fruits, old leather, asphalt and cold coffee. 

86p   (tasted 2024/09)

1964 Château Petit-Village

A sweet, deep nose with notes of plums, cigarr smoke, forest floor and a hint of mint. Very fine.

The taste is rich and seedy with notes of plums, matchbox, leather and hot gravel. Long and intense.

92p   (tasted 2024/09)

Flight IV

1964 Moulin Touchais

A deep, oily nose with notes of rubber, dried orange peel, oilcloth and white rasins. A very fine sweetness.

The taste is intense and nicely concentrated with notes of hay, orange peel, detergents and rubber. Very long with a fine acidity. Bottles like this will go on for another 20+ years.

93p   (tasted 2024/09)

2017, 2018, 2019 Scheurebe Kabinett, Keller

2017 Scheurebe Kabinett, Keller

A fresh, upront nose with notes of chives, smoke, birch leaves and that tell tale sign of Scheurebe - grapefruit.

The taste is pure and fresh with notes of spring onions, chrushed rocks, grass and grapefruit juice. Very, very good.

88p   (tasted 2024/09)

2018 Scheurebe Kabinett, Keller

A restrained nose with notes of grey pears, chrushed rocks and dry grass. Very tight.

The taste is young and linear with a high acidity and locked up yellow fruit. A tad anemic in the finish.

85p   (tasted 2024/09)

2019 Scheurebe Kabinett, Keller

A high, elegant nose with notes of white pepper, chives, candied lemons and grapefruit. Very fine.

The taste is stony and fine with notes of white flowers, grapefruit ice cream and grass. Long and very fine.

92p   (tasted 2024/09)

A Bottle Of Bubbly - Grand Siècle, Laurent-Perrier

Grand Siècle No 24, Laurent-Perrier

Tasted before an Il Caberlot tasting that will get its own post. No 24 of Grand Siècle consists of the vintages 2004, 2006 and 2007.

The nose is deep and chalky with notes of red apples, ginger, dry biscuits and grass. Very fine.

The taste is young and tight with fresh fruit, a cleansing acidity and a long creamy finish. 6+ years. I recently tasted two other versions of the Grand Siècle - Barolista: A Tasty Lineup From Laurent-Perrier

92p   (tasted 2024/09)

2023 Kalterersee Classico Superiore Leuchtenberg, Cantina Kaltern

2023 Kalterersee Classico Superiore Leuchtenberg, Cantina Kaltern

A high, intense nose with notes of red currants, ripe lingonberries, earth, saw dust and red apples. A lovely purity.

The taste is light and handsome with notes of ripening raspberries, wet asphalt, white pepper and violets. Very fine and delicate. The Classico Superiore tasted here - Barolista: 2023 Kalterersee Classico Superiore, Cantina Kaltern

91p   (tasted 2024/09)

The Autumn Of The Greatest Vintage Ever - Part II

Later this year I will turn 60. I have in my cellar 92 bottles from The Greatest Vintage Ever, aka 1964, which all will be drunk this autumn. 

A fair amount of bottles but just half of what I had 10 years ago... - Barolista: 180 Bottles Of Wine On The Wall...

Last week we tasted eight bottles - notes on the first four here - Barolista: The Autumn Of The Greatest Vintage Ever - Part I.

1964 Barolo, R. Barbiere

A stifled, earthy nose with notes of cranberries, dried raspberries, fir wood and dry licorice. 

The taste is more lively with notes of ripe lingonberries, violet, iron and dried flowers. A nice finish.

85p   (tasted 2024/09)

1964 Barolo, Fontanafredda

A open, perfumed nose with notes of Langhe earth, licorice, sage and scorched earth. A fine dried up sweetness.

The taste is tight and seedy with notes of dried cherries, licorice, asphalt and paint. Long and lingering. Very, very good. Bottles like this will keep to my 70th birthday. :-)

90p   (tasted 2024/09)

1964 Barolo, Maggiorino Gagliasso

A stunner. The nose is deep and velvety with notes of ripe strawberries, moist earth, tobacco and shoe polish. High and intense.

The taste is refined and nicely concentrated with a perfect maturity, ripe fruit and a long, taut finish. Great wine.

94p   (tasted 2024/09)

1964 Barolo Gran Riserva, Rochetta Tanaro

A, open, cool nose with notes of forest floor, dried raspberries, asphalt and dried flowers. Very, very good.

The taste is rich and seedy with notes of iron, dried flowers and old chocolate. Long and warm.

88p   (tasted 2024/09)

2022 Dolcetto d´Alba, Ferdinando Principiano

2022 Dolcetto d´Alba, Ferdinando Principiano

An open, fine nose with notes of violets, blueberries, dried flowers and Kungen av Danmark. Very, very good.

The taste is young and seedy with notes of iron, damsons, undergrowth and a fine, salty note. Last tasted when I visted the estate - Barolista: A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - Visit To Ferdinando Principiano

88p   (tasted 2024/09)

1996 Barolo Riserva Cannubi Boschis, Virna Borgogno

1996 Barolo Riserva Cannubi Boschis, Virna Borgogno

A warm, mature nose with notes of autumn leaves, dried strawberries, paint, dried roses and a touch of mint. Very, very good.

The taste is nicely mature with notes of Langhe earth, violets, dried strawberries and leather. A long, dry finish. 

Notes from my visit to the estate - https://barolista.blogspot.com/2019/10/a-couple-of-days-in-piedmont-visits-to.html

89p   (tasted 2024/09)

The Autumn Of The Greatest Vintage Ever - Part I

Later this year I will turn 60. I have in my cellar 92 bottles from The Greatest Vintage Ever, aka 1964, which all will be drunk this autumn. 

A fair amount of bottles but just half of what I had 10 years ago... - Barolista: 180 Bottles Of Wine On The Wall...

Yesterday we tasted eight bottles from the stash, first up were these four bottles.

1964 Beaujolais-Village, Piat

A light, earthy nose with notes of dried flowers, red currants, mushroom stock and herbs. Definitely alive and kicking.

The taste is dry and fine with notes of dried strawberries, earth and quinine. A short finish.

86p   (tasted 2024/09)

1964 Rioja Gran Reserva, Federico Paternina

A deep, smoky nose with notes of strawberries in balsamic vinegar, tobacco, paint and a hint of mint.

The taste is steady and mature with a fine dried up sweetness and notes of tobacco, earth and leather.

88p   (tasted 2024/09)

1964 Rioja Gran Reserva Faustino I, Bodegas Faustino

A bit restrained that opens up nicely with notes of strawberries, dried up coca-cola, moist earth and hints of chocolate.

The taste is structured and fine with sweet red fruit, silky tannins and a long, warm finish. Very fine.

92p   (tasted 2024/09)

1964 Pommard Rugiens, Bouchard

A round, mature nose with notes of red beets, cold coffee, old leather and forest floor. A fine sweetness.

The taste is steady and fine with soft tannins and notes of fried herbs, dried raspberries, tobacco and warm earth. Very, very good.

89p   (tasted 2024/09)

2000 Chiroubles Cuvée Bel Air, Armand Charvet

2000 Chiroubles Cuvée Bel Air, Armand Charvet

A low keyed, charming nose with notes of dried raspberries, rhubarbs, licorice and cigarette ashes. Very nice.

The taste is cool and fresh with a fine dried up sweetness and notes of red currants, tobacco and forest floor. 

87p   (tasted 2024/09)

Tasting Dinner With Vintages Ending With A "0"

My fourth dinner with all bottles ending with the same digit, in this case "0". See previous dinnes below.

2010 Special Club Blanc de Blancs, Launois

A fresh, smoky nose with notes of ripe oranges, candied lemon peels, spices and cookie dough. Very fine.

The taste is tight and pure with notes of chives, lemon cream and pickled ginger. A very fine acidity. 

93p   (tasted 2024/08)

Flight I

1950 Château Certan Marzelle

Needed a lot of time to open up but when it did it displayed a deep, soft, mature nose with notes of plums, vintage leather and sugared coffee. A fine dried up sweetness to the fruit.

The taste is round and velvety with notes of dried plums, earth, leather and dry tobacco. Maybe a tad thin in the middle but this is a fine drink.

91p   (tasted 2024/08)

1960 Barolo, Marchesi Villadoria

A bit burly on the nose, still very much alive but showing notes of moist earth, old stables, shoe polish and tobacco. 

The taste is foursquare and dry with notes of dried red fruits, scorched earth, dry herbs and gravel. Drinkable but not so much fun.

83p   (tasted 2024/08)

1970 Beaujolais, ?

From a unknown producer, this Beaujolais, in contrast to the Barolo above, was a joy to drink. A high, interesting nose with notes of (over)ripe strawberries, earth, incense and dried flowers.

The taste is cool and pure with notes of wild strawberries, minerals and dried flowers. A tad short on the finish though.

88p   (tasted 2024/08)

Flight II

1990 Vinho Branco, Luis Pato

A cool, somewhat mature nose with notes of hay, candied fruits, yellow apples and herbs. A bit subdued.

The taste is dry and seedy with notes of dried herbs, autumn apples and hay. A tad bitter in the finish.

84p   (tasted 2024/08)

2000 Château Talbot Caillou Blanc

A broad , rich nose with notes of rubber bands, dried lemons, smoke and ripe flowers. Outgoing and fine.

The taste is smoky and concentrated with notes of dried mango, flowers, detergents and grass, Very, very good.

92p   (tasted 2024/08)

2010 Westhof Kirchspiel Riesling GG, Keller

A creamy, stony nose with notes of dried honey, chrushed rocks, nuts and hay. Tight and fine.

The taste is intense and layered with a high acidity and lovely yellow fruit. Very long and racy.

93p   (tasted 2024/08)

Flight III

1870 Verdelho Solera, 

A high, intense, bottomless deep nose with notes of dried figs, black tea, Christmas spice, incense, ramson and orange peel. Absolutely stunning.

The taste is brilliant with notes of red plums, orange peel, fried nuts, dry butterscotch and hay. A piercing, cleansing acidity and a finish that never ends. A masterpiece.

98p   (tasted 2024/08)

Flight IV

1980 Brunello di Montalcino, Castelgiocondo

A dark, forest filled nose with notes of plums, dried cherries, fried herbs and earth. Very, very good.

The taste is mature and dry with a very fine mouthfeel, dried black fruit and a long, warm finish.

90p   (tasted 2024/08)

1980 Vigorello, San Felice

A soft, old nose with notes of cold coffee, vintage leather and dried cherries. A tad unfocused.

The taste is warm and gentle with notes of dried black fruit, moist earth and old tobacco. Good but that´s all.

85p   (tasted 2024/08)

1980 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva, Poggio Antico

A still tight, rich nose with notes of black olives, black cherries, asphalt and coffee powder. A bit ungainly.

The taste is taut and concentrated that needs more bottle age. Tight black fruit and a long, narrow finish. 6+ years.

88p   (tasted 2024/08)

Flight V

1970 Château Latour a Pomerol

A very handsome, deep and layered nose with notes of plums, black currant leaves, expensive tobacco and fresh stables. Very fine.

The taste is rich and velvety with gorgeous sweet, black fruit, silky remains of tannins and a long, structured finish. In a perfect drinking stage.

94p   (tasted 2024/08)

1970 Château Latour

Too bad, this bottle, although it had a good fill and a nice looking cork, have probably been stored too warm. A soft, diluted, cooked nose and a short taste with a hollow constitution.

61p   (tasted 2024/08)

1970 Château La Tour de Mons

From a magnum. A round, mature nose with notes of ripe black currants, plums, tobacco and graphite. Very, very good.

The taste is nicely concentrated with lots of life, soft tannins and a beautiful black currant fruit. A long, silky finish. A joy to drink.

90p   (tasted 2024/08)

Flight VI

1900 Moscatel de Setubal, José Maria da Fonseca

With a nose deeper than the Mariana trench, this stunner displays notes of fried nuts, candied apples, white raisins, sugared coffee and autumn leaves in the sun. Awesome.

The taste is rich, intense and very concentrated with a stunning structure, boatloads of sweet candied fruit, a very fine acidity and a finish that goes on forever. Starts sweet on the palate but ends on a semi-dry note. A truly great wine.

98p   (tasted 2024/08)

Previous dinners:

Barolista: Tasting Dinner With Vintages Ending With A "5"

Barolista: Tasting Dinner With Vintages Ending With A "3"

Barolista: Tasting Dinner With Vintages Ending With A "7"