A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - A Visit To Bricco Carlina

This cantina is located in Grinzane Cavour and most of its vines are in the close vicinity. They make ca 60.000 bottles per year. 

Francesco took great care of me, I got to taste the three 2024 Baroli from cask (Castello, Raviole and Grinzane Cavour, of which I thought that the Grinzane Cavour was on top).

More info here - Bricco Carlina - Barolo from Grinzane Cavour

2025 Langhe Bianco Serafina

This Favorita displays an open, grassy nose with notes of peach and sweet lime. Very, very good.

The taste is fresh and stony with notes of dried passionfruit, lime and chives. A fine acidity.

89p   (tasted 2026/09)

2024 Barbera d´Asti Fontanavi

A warm, earthy nose with notes of dried strawberries, forest floor and some dog fur notes.

The taste is open and juciy with notes of dried up strawberry jam, licorice and bonfire smoke. Really good.

88p   (tasted 2026/09)

2025 Langhe Nebbiolo Volubile

A young, spicy nose with notes of sour cherries, licorice and rosehips. A very fine sweetness to the fruit.

The taste is nicely structured with fruit, tannins and acidity in a fine balance.

91p   (tasted 2026/09)

2021 Barbera d´Asti Superiore Bionzo

A very deep, meaty nose with notes of ripe wild raspberries, Finnish licorice, scorched earth and smoke. Big, bold and beautiful.

The taste is rich and concentrated with stunning fruit, a cleansing acidity and a long, intense finish. Really fine.

93p   (tasted 2026/09)

2022 Barolo

A high, layered nose with notes of dried cherries, roses and Langhe earth. Pure and fine.
The taste is warm and elegant with notes of hard cherry candy, herbs and a balsamic note. Silky tannins. 4+ years.

92p   (tasted 2026/09)

2022 Barolo Comune di Grinzano Cavour

A deep, refined nose with notes of licorice, mushrooms, red cherries and a balsamic note. Very finely perfumed.

The taste is tight and focused with notes of cherry pips, tobacco, chrushed rocks and dried flowers. Very fine. 7+ years.

94p   (tasted 2026/09)

A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - A Visit To De Simone

A relatively new cantina, their first Barolo was the 2016. 4 ha which gives ca 20.000 bottles.

Info here - Azienda agricola De Simone | Vini del Barolo

2025 Langhe Rosato

An open, forward nose with notes of artificial candy and gravel.

The taste is rather short with notes of ripening raspberries and some yeasty notes. Made from Dolcetto grapes.

80p   (tasted 2026/09)

NV Vino Rosse Perme

Also a Dolcetto, the nose is shy with notes of cool blueberries and earth.

The taste is cool and a tad foursquare with notes of a mix of raspberries and blueberries.

83p   (tasted 2026/09)

2024 Barbera d´Alba

A warm, earthy nose with notes of dried up raspberry jam, licorice and old tobacco.

The taste is tight, with a high acidity and dried raspberry fruit.

82p   (tasted 2026/09)

(2024) Vino Rosso Perto

A rather nice, cherry filled nose with notes of tobacco and rosehips.

The taste is young and tight with cool tannins and low keyed cherries.

84p   (tasted 2026/09)

2022 Langhe Nebbiolo

A warm, earthy nose with rosehips, dried flowers and hard cherry candy.

The taste is open and spicy with a good cherry fruit, polished tannins and a dry finish.

86p   (tasted 2026/09)

2019 Langhe Nebbiolo

The first vintage of this LN. A warm, dusty nose with notes of cooked cherries, dry licorice and undergrowth.

The taste is medium bodied, warm and dusty with cooked cherry fruit and taut tannins.

83p   (tasted 2026/09)

2021 Barolo

A damp, cooked nose with notes of old fruit, moist earth and old wood.

The taste is dry and tannic with miniscule fruit and a short finish.

78p   (tasted 2026/09)

2021 Barolo del Comune di Serralunga d´Alba

A nice, earthy nose with notes of dried up cherry jam, licorice and a touch of menthol.

The taste is seedy and earthy with ripe cherry fruit and dry tannins.

85p   (tasted 2026/09)

2021 Barolo Carpegna

As with the 21 Barolo, cooked fruit and old wood on the nose.

The taste is dry and tannic with some cherry fruit, dry licorice and dusty earth.

80p   (tasted 2026/09)

A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - A Visit To Cascina Adelaide

My intention was to visit La Briccolina on this trip but Cascina Adelaide have bought that cantina recently so I ended up at the latter estate (which I have visited earlier - Barolista: The Barolo Boys In Piedmont - Visits To Giulia Negri, Franco Conterno & Cascina Adelaide).

Cascina Adelaide is under new management and the style is changing. There is a more precise touch, there is more nerve, intensity and perfume, really classy stuff.

I got to taste four future Baroli from cask - the Barolo normale from both egg and big botti (I preferred the egg version) and then Campanelle (see below), Cannubi (they have 0,4 ha) and Preda. The 2025 seems to be, as most wine makers say, a great vintage in the making.

More info here -Cascina Adelaide - Barolo

2024 Langhe Nebbiolo

From bottle I then tasted these three wines. The 24 LN shows of a cool, lightly perfumed nose with notes of red currants, strawberries and earth. Very good.

The taste is pure and fine with notes of wild strawberries, rosehips and gravel. Silky tannins. The grapes comes from the Preda vineyard.

87p   (tasted 2026/09)

2021 Barolo Campanelle Vite Vecchie di Serralunga

As the infant 2025, the 21 is a masterpiece. The grapes comes from 70 years old vines in the Sorano MGA (Serralunga). The nose is sublime, with brilliant red fruit, hints of tar, rosehips and fine tobacco. Very handsome and refined.

The taste is pure, racy and rich with balance, intensity and complexity. Lots of adjectives, but this beauty is worth all. A candidate for perfection in 6+ years.

98p   (tasted 2026/09)

2022 Barolo Campanelle Vite Vecchie di Serralunga

The 22 Campanelle is no slouch by any means. The nose is very deep, warm and pure with notes of ripe wild strawberries, tobacco and asphalt. A very fine sweetness to the fruit.

The taste is big and juicy with notes of ripe cherries and strawberries, tobacco, dark flowers and some tarry notes. Very long. In the shadow of the 21 but on its own a really fine wine.

94p   (tasted 2026/09)

A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - A Visit To Rivetto

In the Lirano hill, a ridge between Sinio and Serralunga d´Alba, Enrico Rivetta has created what he calls a "agricultural living organism". 

He has been working on that organism for 19 years. The cantina is Demeter certified, the only cantina in Langhe (although Enrico thought that another cantina was on its way).

There are hens, there are donkeys, there is a big, big compost, and much, much more. 

But the wines then? They are very, very good. Pure, energetic, lively and very Enrico. 

More info here - Welcome to the corner of my consciousness | Rivetto

NV Kaskal

This zero dosage bubbly offers up a deep, elegant nose with notes of yellow apples, wet cement and a white balsamico note. Very, very good.

The taste is tight and balanced with a very good acidity, notes of yellow pears and chrushed rocks. Very gulpable.

91p   (tasted 2026/09)

2024 Barbera d´Alba Zio Nando

A dark, broad nose with notes of raspberries, asphalt and hazelnuts. A fine warmth.

The taste is juicy and warm with notes of raspberries, licorice and warm gravel. A good acidity.

87p   (tasted 2026/09)

2023 Langhe Nebbiolo

A somewhat restrained nose with notes of autumn leaves, dry figs, violets and dark flowers.

The taste is upfront and clean with fine cherry fruit, silky tannins and a long, warm finish.

90p   (tasted 2026/09)

2023 Nebbiolo d´Alba Vigna Lirano

A whole another expression of Nebbiolo. This has spent 7 months in amphoras (see pic below). The nose is rich and intense with notes of cooked cherries, sweet/sour licorice, root vegetables and hints of wet dog fur. Different but lovely.

The taste is rich and just brilliant with fresh, lively tannins, gorgeous cherry fruit and a long, long, distinct finish. A class act.

94p   (tasted 2026/09)

2022 Barolo del Comune di Serralunga d´Alba

A fine perfumed nose with notes of tobacco, mineral, black cherries and moist earth. Very, very good.

The taste is stony and elegant with notes of hard cherry candy, chrushed rocks and tobacco. 6+ years.

91p   (tasted 2026/09)

2020 Barolo Briccolina

A deep, lightly meaty nose with notes of ripe cherries, bonfire smoke, dog fur and fresh flowers. Lovely.

The taste is tight and focused with a kind of rugged elegance alongside a balsamic note, black fruit and a long, layered finish. 8+ years.

94p   (tasted 2026/09)

My favourite occupation :-)

2019 Barolo Briccolina

The 19 Briccolina offers up another dimension, darker with notes of dark bread, sweet minerals, black flowers. Very, very fine.

The taste is rich and concentrated with a stern backbone, brilliant fruit and a minute long finish. Almost chewable tannins. 10+ years.

95p   (tasted 2026/09)

2016 Barolo del Comune di Serralunga d´Alba

From a double magnum that had been opened for a week. That´s obviously the way to do it, for this is a beauty. The nose soars from the glass with notes of iron, dried cherries, worn leather and warm tiles. Lovely.

The taste is still young and forward with notes of dried cherries, forest floor, paint and cold coffee. The tannins still makes a real presence. Very fine.

93p   (tasted 2026/09)

2019 Barolo Riserva Leon

A high, intense nose with notes of Maraschino cherries, hints of charcoal, leather, roses and sun warm rocks. So handsome and refined.

The taste is rich and concentrated with notes of tar & roses, sweet minerals, fine tobacco and rosehips. The finish goes on for over a minute. 10+ years.

96p   (tasted 2026/09)

1964 Barolo

Enrico was ever so kind to fetch this gem that had been opened for two days (I recently opened a 1970 Barolo (note is coming) that was on its best behaviour after three days).

The nose is very deep, round and generous with notes of dried red fruit, Christmas spices, pipe tobacco and a hint of menthol. Very fine.

The taste is velvety and dry with beautiful mature, dried fruit, a long perky finish and even some hints of tannins in the finish. Another fine bottle from The Greatest Vintage Ever - thanks Enrico!

93p   (tasted 2026/09)

2023 Langhe Nascetta Vigna Lirano

To finish things of, this Nascetta displays a young, spicy nose with notes of candied lemons, grass and chrushed rocks.

The taste is fresh and elegant with lots of lemons, lime and grassy elements. A fine lively acidity.

88p   (tasted 2026/09)

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

Its always a treat to meet upp with Martina, either if its at Grandi Langhe or at the cantina - Barolista: A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - Visit To Bruna Grimaldi

We talked about the heat in Piedmont, what has happened at the cantina since I last visited, the new gorgeous tasting room and of course the fact that Martina is now the mother of 6 months old Clara.

More info here - Cantina Bruna Grimaldi - produttore in Serralunga d'Alba

2025 Langhe Arneis

A fresh, pure nose with notes of William pears, flint and a hint of white peppar. 

The taste is light and crips with a linear acidity, beautiful yellow fruit and a lime scented finish. 

90p   (tasted 2026/09)

2024 Dolcetto d´Alba San Martino

A cool, somewhat restrained nose with notes of red currants, ripening blueberries and iron.

The taste is slender and easy going with silky tannins, a fine blueberry fruit and a dry finish.

87p   (tasted 2026/09)

2024 Barbera d´Alba Superiore Scassa

I tasted this recently - Barolista: 2024 Barbera d´Alba Superiore Scassa, Bruna Grimaldi - and it behaved the same at the cantina. A very good Barbera. Scassa means scorched earth.

91p   (tasted 2026/09)

2024 Nebbiolo d´Alba Bonurei

A pure, cool Nebbiolo fruit with cherries, leather, violets and Langhe earth. Very, very good.

The taste is open and fruity with notes of red cherries, violets and soy. Smooth tannins.

89p   (tasted 2026/09)

2022 Barolo Camilla

A elegant, warm nose with notes of ripe cherries, sun warm tiles and ripe flowers.

The taste is tight and seedy with nice tannins, a warm juicy cherry fruit and a medium long, balanced finish. 4+ years.

91p   (tasted 2026/09)

2022 Barolo Bricco Ambrogio

A very handsome nose with notes of hard cherry candy, forest floor and fine tobacco. Very fine.

The taste is neatly structured with lovely black fruit, polished tannins and a long, warm finish. 7+ year.

93p   (tasted 2026/09)

2022 Barolo Badarina

A very elegant, restrained nose with notes of ripe red currants, forest floor, paint and dried flowers.

The taste is pure and layered with notes of cherry pips, asphalt and dried flowers. The finish is long, warm and gorgeous. 8+ years.

95p   (tasted 2026/09)

2021 Barolo Badarina Vigna Regnola

This beauty offers up a deep, focused nose with notes of hard cherry candy, salt licorice, shoe cream and roses. Stunning.

The taste is brilliant with focus, intensity and a old vine feeling that needs to be tasted. A salty mineral note. The finish goes on and on. Great wine. 8+ years. (Martina is holding the bottle in the pic above).

97p   (tasted 2026/09)

A Couple Of Days in Piedmont - A Visit To La Contrada Di Sorano

Paolo and Cristina in San Rocco vineyard

I had a great time visiting Paolo and Cristina. They are a charming couple that started the cantina in 2013, their first Barolo was the 2015. They have 2,5 ha and produce ca 10.000 bottles per year. Very good wines. I will be back.

More info here - https://www.lacontradadisorano.it/

2024 Vino Rosso Spumante Alchimia

100% Nebbiolo with 5 gr dosage. The nose is light earthy with notes of blood oranges, cookie dough and wild flowers.

The taste is dry and linear with a good acidity and dried red fruit. A nice bitter note on the finish.

86p   (tasted 2026/09)

2023 Langhe Bianco Favorita L´Ardita

An open, peachy nose with notes of ripe lemons, dusty earth and some smoky notes. Very, very good.

The taste is balanced and elegant with assorted yellow fruits, a very good acidity and a fine, dry finish.

90p   (tasted 2026/09)

2023 Dolcetto d´Alba Superiore Autin

The grapes comes from Sinio and I am lucky to taste this, since wild boars eat all the grapes in some vintages. The nose is deep and pure with notes of ripe blueberries, black olives and iron.

The taste is tight and fine with notes of blueberries, some blackberries, ink and asphalt. Fine tannins.

89p   (tasted 2026/09)

2024 Barbera d´Alba Bosco

A juicy, open nose with notes of fir wood, raspberries and warm gravel. A fine perfumed note.

The taste is spicy and fruity with a very good acidity, nice raspberry fruit and a fresh finish.

88p   (tasted 2026/09)

2022 Barbera d´Alba Superiore Sottosopra

A deep, meaty nose with notes of raspberry licorice, hint of chocolate and scorched earth. Very fine.

The taste is rich and concentrated with stunning fruit, a piercing acidity and a long, generous finish. A great Barbera. A blend of grapes from Sinio and Serralunga.

93p   (tasted 2026/09)

2022 Langhe Nebbiolo Stillante

A deep, warm Nebbiolo nose with notes of ripe cherries, leather, dark flowers and moist Lange earth.

The taste is pure and fine with notes of hard cherry candy, rosehips and forest floor. Soft tannins. Ready to drink now.

91p   (tasted 2026/09)

2022 Barolo del Comune di Serralunga d´Alba

A high and handsome nose with notes of sun warm tiles, paint, fresh roses and red cherries. Just lovely.

The taste is racy and elegant with laid back power and refinement. Polished tannins and a minute long finish. Really fine. 7+ years.

93p   (tasted 2026/09)

2021 Barolo

This is made out of all three Nebbiolo subvarities - Rosé, Lampia and Michet, in equal proportions. The nose is deep and concentrated with an old school Nebbiolo nose - licorice, roses, asphalt and sweet Langhe earth. Stunning.

The taste is tight and seedy with brilliant fruit, silky yet taut tannins and a long, long, structured finish. Great wine. 10+ years.

95p   (tasted 2026/09)

A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - A Visit To L´´Astemia

Everyone that has drove the road between Castiglione Falletto and Barolo has seen the special buildning that is L´´Astemia. 

Sandra Vezza is the entrepreneur that is the mind behind the winery where "the art of wine and design come together" as their webpage states.

I got a tour of the cellar and then tasted the wines below.

More info here - L’’Astemia – Una storia di passione e innovazione

2023 Langhe Nascetta

A cool, spicy nose with notes of apricots, white pepper and gravel. Very good.

The taste is forward and dry, easy going with a fair acidity. The grapes comes from Monforte.

85p   (tasted 2026/08)

2023 Langhe Bianco Viognier

This Viognier had spent time in both new and one year tonneaux. The nose is big and bold with notes of ripe apricots, moist earth and toasted bread. There is some oak but in a integrated way.

The taste is dense and layered with lots of ripe yellow fruit, some oak tannins and a very good acidity. A really interesting wine.

88p   (tasted 2026/08)

2024 Barbera Superiore

A deep, meaty nose with notes of Finnish licorice, ripe raspberries and a hints of milk chocolate. Very, very good.

The taste is open and plummy with a very good acidity, fine black fruit and a long, warm finish.

88p   (tasted 2026/08)

2024 Langhe Nebbiolo Tiradoss

A nicely perfumed, smoky nose with notes of ripe cherries, forest floor and violets. Very good.

The taste is structured and fine with silky tannins and a soft cherry fruit.

87p   (tasted 2026/08)

2021 Barolo

An open, classic Nebbiolo nose with notes of red cherries, paint, bay leaves and dried flowers. Very, very good.

The taste is young and tight with notes of hard cherry candy, fir wood and hints of tobacco. 5+ years.

90p   (tasted 2026/08)

2021 Barolo Cannubi

From 40 year old vines this Cannubi displays a deep, spicy nose with notes of ripe cherries, Langhe earth and a hint of menthol.

The taste is structured and fine with the same menthol note, lots of cherries, roses and forest floor. 7+ years.

93p   (tasted 2026/08)

2021 Barolo Terlo

A very deep, restrained nose with notes of dry licorice, asphalt and dark flowers.

The taste is taut and broad with notes of hard cherry candy, asphalt, shoe cream and coffee powder. Needs time, 10+ years.

92p   (tasted 2026/08)