Some Nice Bottles Lately

Tasted at a friends house a couple of weeks ago. Tasted double blind.

2021 Trascuevas, Artuke

This Viura dominated wine offers up a herbal, stony nose with notes of grass, thai basil and ripe lemons. Very, very good.

The taste is young and fresh with notes of assorted yellow fruit, grass and chrushed rocks. A very fine acidity.

90p   (tasted 2024/10)

2008 Chambolle-Musigny, Domaine Comte Ceorges de Vogüé

Starts of low keyed but opens up beautifully in the glass with notes of bonfire smoke, incense, root vegetables, dried raspberries and forest floor. Lovely.

The taste shows some maturity and the fruit is velvety and very fine, with a perfect acidity and a long, lingering finish. Great wine.

95p   (tasted 2024/10)

2005 Barolo Rocche, Vietti

A fine, warm nose with notes of cherries, smoke, violets and a fine floral notes. Very deep. 

The taste is concentrated and seedy with lots of ripe cherry fruit, a fine structure and still perky 05 tannins. Needs another 6+ years.

93p   (tasted 2024/10)

2001 Château Montrose

A very refined, classy Bordeaux nose with notes of ripe black currants, coffee powder, cigar box and red apple skin. Very handsome.

The taste is cool and sandy with gorgeous fruit, a stunning balance and a long, long finish. Drinking great tonight but could go on for 15+ years.

Montrose is one of my favourite Bordeuax estates. I arranged a 100 years tasting of Montrose nine years ago - https://barolista.blogspot.com/2015/11/100-years-of-chateau-montrose-1911-2011.html

95p   (tasted 2024/10)

2001 Château Pontet-Canet

The second 01 Bordeaux offers up a deep, forward nose with notes of ripe black currants, fir wood, leather, clay and clean stables. Hints of maturity.

The taste is tight and finw with notes of charcoal, black currants, iron and tobacco. Ripe, taut tannins. Very fine.

93p   (tasted 2024/10)

A Fine Lineup Of Whites From Guigal

I couldn´t make it to the annual Guigal tasting at Wineaffair, but they were ever so kind to let me pick up small bottles of the wines tasted. I started with the whites.

2022 Condrieu, Guigal

A laid back, tight nose with notes of hay, apricots and candied oranges. Some minerals after a time in the glass.

The taste is medium bodied and nice with notes of fried apples, apricots and oil cloth. A fine warmth in the finish. For drinking now and the coming 6+ years.

89p   (tasted 2024/11)

2022 Condrieu La Doriane, Guigal

The Doriane is, as always, a whole other creature. The nose is deep and concentrated with notes of tangerines, fresh hay, spices and a fine smoky note.

The taste is luscious and balanced with pure yellow fruit, a very good acidity and a long, pure finish. Great wine.

94p   (tasted 2024/11)

2022 Saint-Joseph Lieu Dit Blanc, Guigal

A broad, stony nose with notes of dried peach, smoke, candied lemons and chalk. Very, very good.

The taste is broadshouldered yet elegant with a fine warmth, great fruit and energy. Very long and juicy.

91p   (tasted 2024/11)

2007 Barolo Zonchera, Cerretto

2007 Barolo Zonchera, Cerretto

A earthy, smoky nose with notes of cooked cherries, licorice, fir wood and tobacco. Got better and more open on day two.

The taste is tight and fine with notes of rich black cherry fruit, tobacco, asphalt and dried flowers. The taste was also better on day two.

The last vintage in which Cerretto used the Zonchera name (which derives from the Zonchetta estate) was 2009.

89p   (tasted 2024/11)

1964 Tokaji Szamorodni, Tokaj Kereskedöház Rt.

1964 Tokaji Szamorodni, Tokaj Kereskedöház Rt.

From a 50 cl bottle. The nose is dry and a touch salty with notes of nuts, dried apricots, paint and iron. Resembling a dry sherry.

The taste is dry and mature with notes of nuts, autumn apples, chrushed rocks and dry licorice. A tad foursquare on the finish.

86p   (tasted 2024/10)

A Barolo Tasting Dinner - Flight V

In my quest to drink all my 64´s this year when I turn 60, I invited some friends and opened 15 bottles of Barolo from The Greatest Vintage Ever. It turned out great. Each flight will get its own post.

1964 Barolo Marchesi di Barolo

An open, smoky nose with notes of moist earth, dried meat, plums and asphalt. Very good in a broadshouldered way.

The taste is dry and earthy with notes of dried black fruits, undergrowth, dry licorice and leather. A very good dried up sweetness. 

88p   (tasted 2024/10)

1964 Barolo La Delizia, Fontanafredda

A deep, sweet nose with notes of moist earth, dried strawberries, incense and tobacco. Very lively and fine.

The taste is still concentrated and delivers a tannin kick in the finish, with notes of dried roses, wild strawberries, earth and licorice. Long and fine.

93p   (tasted 2024/10)

1964 Barolo Riserva, Borgogno

A high, pure, intense nose with notes of pipe tobacco, rosehips, cooked black cherries, fir wood and shoe polish. Very fine.

The taste is tight and focused with big sweet fruit, still some tannins that give support and a long, balanced finish. Bottles like this can go on for 10+ years. Great wine.

95p   (tasted 2024/10)

Two Unassuming Bordeaux Bottles

1993 Domaine Les Chagnasses

From a magnum. This Lalande-de-Pomerol sports a low keyed, mature nose with notes of autumn leaves, vintage leather, plums and coffee.

The taste is nice and dry with lots of autumn flavours, soft tannins and a medium long finish. 

87p   (tasted 2024/10)

2012 Château Croque Michotte

An open, herbal nose with notes of cranberries, violets, smoke and hints of Seville oranges. Very good.

The taste is cool and medium bodied with a fine balance, some warmth and a spicy finish. A very nice drink.

87p   (tasted 2024/10)

A Barolo Tasting Dinner - Flight IV

In my quest to drink all my 64´s this year when I turn 60, I invited some friends and opened 15 bottles of Barolo from The Greatest Vintage Ever. It turned out great. Each flight will get its own post.

1964 Barolo, Aldo Conterno

A low keyed, mature, sweet nose with notes of dried raspberries, fir wood, licorice and cep. Very fine.

The taste is soft and refined with ripe red fruit, velvety tannins and a long, lingering finish. A joy to drink.

This and the Francesco Rinaldi below were also tasted 10 years ago when I turned 50 - Barolista: Barolo Boys Does 1964 Barolo & Barbaresco.

93p   (tasted 2024/10)

1964 Barolo, Francesco Rinaldi

The 1964 Francsco Rinaldi is an enigma. 10 years ago, see link above, I thought it had been in some sort of time warp. It felt much younger than the rest of the wines. 

Now we skip forward 10 years - this bottle behaves exactly the same as 10 years ago... 60 years old and taste like a 20 year old wine. I noted the same note of burnt rubber. I like it a lot but it is a strange creature.

92p   (tasted 2024/10)

1964 Barolo, Oddero

A beautifully mature nose with notes of dried strawberries, forest floor, paint, rosehips and vintage leather. Very deep and fine.

The taste is velvety and sweet with gorgeous fruit, still some silky tannins in the finish, which is long and lingering. On top of its game. Great wine.

94p   (tasted 2024/10)

2018 Dogliani San Luigi Vigna La Costa, Chionetti

2018 Dogliani San Luigi Vigna La Costa, Chionetti

This has been a stunner since the get go, see previous notes below. Now it has gone into hiding. The nose is very backward, deep and earthy with delicate notes of plums, iron, cinnamon and shoe polish, but only when you swirl the glass vigorously. Needs plenty of time.

The taste is tight and restrained with locked up black fruit, taut tannins and a long, balanced finish. Glad I have more. 8+ years.

92p   (tasted 2024/10)

https://barolista.blogspot.com/2021/08/five-fine-bottles-from-chionetti.html

https://barolista.blogspot.com/2023/01/two-2018-dolcetto.html

A Barolo Tasting Dinner - Flight III

In my quest to drink all my 64´s this year when I turn 60, I invited some friends and opened 15 bottles of Barolo from The Greatest Vintage Ever. It turned out great. Each flight will get its own post.

1964 Barolo, Pio Cesare

A deep, ethereal nose with notes of wild strawberries, rosehips, leather and shoe polish. High and refined.

The taste is handsome and elegant with gorgeous red fruit, still some silky tannins and a long, warm finish. Great wine. No hurry to drink bottles like this.

94p   (tasted 2024/10)

Mushroom ragu, fried sweetbread and a herb oil

1964 Barolo, Franco Fiorina

Two years ago - Barolista: Seven Decades Of Barolo - 1958 - 2013 - this was a stunner. The bottle tonight have had a tough journey during the years, ending up old and tired. As with the Cappellano in the previous flight, drinkable but not very enjoyable.

78p   (tasted 2024/10)

1964 Barolo, Marchese Fracassi

A deep, spicy, mature nose with notes of raspberries, paint, incense and dry tobacco. A very fine warmth.

The taste is round, velvety and balanced with notes of dried raspberries, forest floor, Christmas spices and earth. Long and fine.

92p   (tasted 2024/10)

2020 Dogliani Briccolero, Chionetti

2020 Dogliani Briccolero, Chionetti

Last tasted two years ago - Barolista: 2020 Dogliani Briccolero, Chionetti - this Dolcetto evolves slowly. The nose is young and stony with notes of cranberries, blueberries, bakelite and sun warm rocks.

The taste is tight and seedy with notes of black cherries, blueberries, chrushed rocks and herbs. If anything, it feels even younger than two years ago. I will wait 5+ years with my remaining bottles.

90p   (tasted 2024/10)

A 1964 Barolo Tasting Dinner - Flight II

In my quest to drink all my 64´s this year when I turn 60, I invited some friends and opened 15 bottles of Barolo from The Greatest Vintage Ever. It turned out great. Each flight will get its own post.

1964 Barbaresco, Franco Fiorina

Two Barbaresco in a Barolo line up - the heresy! :-) Well, I hade them and this would be a perfect set up. The Franco Fiorina offers up a high, fine nose with notes of orange peel, red currants, paint and hints of white pepper. Very fine.

The taste is refined and perfectly mature with notes of dried red fruits, mushrooms, rosehips and paint. A very fine dried up warmth.

92p   (tasted 2024/10)

1964 Barolo, Burlotto

Burlotto has fashioned a great wine in this, the greatest vintage ever. The nose is layered and delicate with notes of leather, incense, dried cherries, asphalt and dried flowers. Lovely.

The taste is seedy, long and balanced with still fresh fruit, soft tannins and a dry, refined finish. No hurry to drink bottles like this.

94p   (tasted 2024/10)

We had a country terrine with this flight

1964 Barbaresco, Cappellano

A tad VA infested nose with some cooked fruit and notes of dried flowers, coffee and moist earth.

The taste follows the nose with cooked fruit, some VA and a foursquare finish. Dtinkable but not very enjoyable. Maybe badly stored along the way. 

76p   (tasted 2024/10)

A 1964 Barolo Tasting Dinner - Flight I

In my quest to drink all my 64´s this year when I turn 60, I invited some friends and opened 15 bottles of Barolo from The Greatest Vintage Ever. It turned out great. Each flight will get its own post.

1964 Barolo Collina Canubbio, Serio & Battista Borgogno

An open, spicy nose with notes of dried up raspberry jam, licorice, mushrooms and asphalt. Very fine.

The taste is silky and fine with a very fine earthy note, warm mellow red fruit and a long, fresh finish. Fully mature but in no hurry to drink.

Notes from my visit to the estate - Barolista: The Barolo Boys In Piedmont - Visit To Serio & Battista Borgogno

91p   (tasted 2024/10)

1964 Barolo, Giuseppe Contratto

A dark, fine nose with notes of cold coffee, tobacco, dried cherries and moist Langhe earth. Very, very good.

The taste is steady and fine with notes of dried cherries, undergrowth, tobacco and dried flowers. Medium long with a nice warmth. 

88p   (tasted 2024/10)

With the first flight we had my version of carne cruda with truffels and a onion cream

1964 Barolo, Mario Viberti

A high, interesting, fragile nose with notes of paint, orange peel, hay and green ski wax. 

The taste is dry and tight with a high acidity and delicate dried red fruits. A tad short on the finish.

87p   (tasted 2024/10)

2015 - 2019 Il Caberlot, Podere Il Carnasciale

L & M invited to a tasting with this flight as an absolute highlight. I have previously tasted only one or two Il Caberlots. Now five magnums (the only format this is made in) were poured, an embaressment of riches. 

Il Caberlot is made from the Caberlot grape, which is believed to be a crossing between Cabernet Franc and Merlot. More info here - Wines — Podere Il Carnasciale.

2015 Il Caberlot, Podere Il Carnasciale

There is a lot bell pepper and grassy Cabernet Franc notes on the nose with some additional notes of ripe red currants and plums. Very deep and fine.

The taste is cool and refined with a restrained character and notes of red currants, warm gravel and forest floor. Very long. Lovely.

94p   (tasted 2024/09)

2016 Il Caberlot, Podere Il Carnasciale

This masterpiece offers up a layered, earthy nose with notes of tobacco, cement, plums and smoke. Very deep and hauntingly beautiful.

The taste is brilliant with fruit, tannins and acidity in perfect harmony. Every knot and bolt in its perfect place. Wine doesn´t get much better than this.

98p   (tasted 2024/09)

2017 Il Caberlot, Podere Il Carnasciale

A restrained, nicely concentrated nose with notes of black currants, thyme, violets and a hint of mint. Very fine.

The taste is young and focused with notes of black currants leaves, gravel, smoke and forest floor. A tight finish, this needs time. Great wine.

95p   (tasted 2024/09)

2018 Il Caberlot, Podere Il Carnasciale

A very deep, focused nose with notes of bay leaves, black currant leaves, violets, gravel and a hint of chocolate. Just lovely.

The taste is rich and concentrated with notes of black currants, mocha, gravel and violets. The finish goes on forever. Very young. This is a stunner. 

98p   (tasted 2024/09)

2019 Il Caberlot, Podere Il Carnasciale

A laid back, deep nose with notes of tobacco, earth, red and black currants and a hint of mint. Very, very fine.

The taste is racy and refined with gorgeous fruit, polished tannins and a pure, intense finish. Needs time. Great wine.

96p   (tasted 2024/09)

2001 Pommard 1er Cru Les Charmots, Patrick Clémencet

2001 Pommard 1er Cru Les Charmots, Patrick Clémencet

A round, mature nose with notes of dried up raspberry jam, root vegetables, smoke and dog fur. 

The taste is medium bodied, dry and mature with notes of dried herbs, red currants, gravel and undergrowth. A good acidity. Fully mature.

85p   (tasted 2024/10)

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)