The Barolo Boys In Piedmont - A Visit To San Biagio

Leo - the Guardian of San Biagio

My third visit to San Biagio. I love the wines and I love the passionate, down to earth and generous people that are Tiziana and her brother Gianluca. 

It is a true privilege to come here, meet Tiziana and Gianluca (and Leo) and taste these fantastic wines.

This time we came like locusts, in the shape of three Barolo Boys. We tasted a lot, talked a lot and left very, very happy.

An old vine in San Biagio

My previous visits:

Barolista: A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - Visit To San Biagio - 2022

Barolista: A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - A Visit To San Biagio - 2025

2020 Barbaresco Montersino

A warm, earthy nose with notes of dried up cherry jam, violet and sun warm rocks.

The taste is round and warm with notes of cherry licorice, dried flowers and gravel. Very, very good.

90p   (tasted 2026/01)

2021 Barbaresco Montersino

The 21 Montersino shows of a more intense nose with notes of hard cherry candy, chrushed rocks and a hint of VA, in a very positive way.

The taste is elegant and balanced with a lovely cherry fruit, silky tannins and a fine acidity. 

92p   (tasted 2026/01)

2019 Barbaresco Montersino

I tasted the 19 Montersino in September and it behaved exatly the same on this occasion, a very fine Barbaresco.

93p   (tasted 2026/01)

2020 Barolo del Comune di La Morra

Also tasted in September, maybe a tad more restrained this time and in need of some time to open up. 

91p   (tasted 2026/01)

2021 Barolo del Comune di La Morra

The 21 Barolo is a stunner. The nose is fresh and handsome with notes of ripe cherries, violets and asphalt.

The taste is juicy and elegant with lovely cherry fruit, silky tannins and a structure for aging.

93p   (tasted 2026/01)

2019 Barolo Rocchettevino

A deep, earthy nose with notes of licorice, wild flowers and red apple skin. Very fine.

The taste is ripe and fine with notes of sour/sweet cherries, herbs, licorice and a fine perfumed note. Very long. 8+ years.

92p   (tasted 2026/01)

2017 Barolo Rocchettevino

A deep, warm nose with notes of tobacco, dried flowers, earth and violet soap. Very fine.

The taste is open and warm with gorgeous ripe cherry fruit, Finnish licorice and scorched earth. Very long. 5+ years.

93p   (tasted 2026/01)

2020 Barolo Capalot

A very deep, sandy nose with notes of cherry candy, pipe tobacco, forest floor and rosehips. Very handsome.

The taste is tight and sandy with notes of cherry pips, rosehips, cold coffee and warm sand. 7+ years.

93p   (tasted 2026/01)

2021 Barolo Capalot

The 21 Capalot is a beaty. The nose is tight and restrained with notes of iron, dry licorice, red currants and undergrowth. Backward and very fine.

The taste is what dreams are made of, rich, layered and structured with stunning red currants and cherry fruit, leather, rosehips and minerals. It has nerve, depth and intensity. 10+ years.

96p   (tasted 2026/01)

2019 Barolo Galina

Its hard to pick a favourite of the San Biagio line up, since every bottle is a gem, but Galina makes my heart pound just a little extra. First vintage was the 2018, which I tasted on my visit in 2022, and was floored.

The -19 Galina is as stunning as when I tasted it in September 2025 (see notes from my visit above). Only 1000 bottles made of this nectar. 

97p   (tasted 2026/01)

2021 Barolo Galina

No Galina in 2020 but thankfully in 2021. The nose is tight and spicy with notes of matchbox, licorice, chrushed rocks and ripening roses. Backward and very young.

The taste is what dreams are made of (the taste gets a perfect score but the nose is subdued today) with a richness, intensity and focus that is of the charts, yet light of its feet and the finish goes on and on and on. Will probably be a perfect wine in 8-10 years.

96p   (tasted 2026/01)

2020 Barolo Bricco San Biagio

A deep, handsome nose with notes of forest floor, dried up cherry jam, licorice and ripe dark flowers. Open, sweet and very fine.

The taste is tighter than the nose leads you to believe, with stern cherry fruit, a taut structure and firm tannins for a -20. Very long. 8+ years.

94p   (tasted 2026/01)

2021 Barolo Bricco San Biagio

The -21 Bricco San Biagio is a keeper. The nose soars up from the glass with notes of hard cherry candy, dried strawberries, rosehips and fir smoke. Rich and intense.

The taste is tight and refined with pure, sweet cherry fruit, salivating tannins and a length that is counted in mitues. Great wine. 8+ years.

96p   (tasted 2026/01)

2019 Barolo Riserva Bricco San Biagio

Perfection in the making, the -19 Riserva is absolutely drop dead gorgeous. The nose is high, pure and intense with notes of sweet lingonberries, leather, forest floor, paint, iodine and perfect ripe roses.

The taste is broadshouldered yet with a ballerinas finesse and elegance. Perfect fruit, perfect tannins, perfect structure. A wine to remember. 10+ years.

98p   (tasted 2026/01)

2017 Barolo Riserva Bricco San Biagio

Tasted in September 2025, this beauty has firmed up and the fruit has somewhat gone into hiding. But the structure, focus and concentration is still there. Wait 6+ years. This is the first vintage of the Riserva Bricco San Biagio.

93p   (tasted 2026/01)

2019 Alta Langa Riserva Rosé

This Rosé is a beauty. The nose is high and energetic with notes of oranges, wild strawberries, almonds and chrushed rocks. Very fine.

The taste is young, tight and elegant with a racy acidity and notes of tangerines, matchbox and red apple skin. 100% Pinot Noir, zero dosage.

92p   (tasted 2026/01)

Leo - my tasting assistent

Some Nice Bottles Of Bordeaux

P arranged our latest tasting in our monthly tasting group. Always nice to return to my roots with some fine Bordeaux. Tasted double blind.

1970 Château Cod d´Estournel

A nicely mature, soft nose with notes of dried black fruit, vintage leather, autumn leaves, coffee powder and dog fur. Complex and fine.

The taste is silky and layered with notes of leather, cassis, gravel and cold coffee. A long, dry finish. A lovely mature Bx.

90p   (tasted 2026/01)

1995 Château Lafon-Rochet

An open, flowery nose with notes of plums, chocolate, tobacco and sun warm rocks. Dense and fine.

The taste is warm and spicy with notes of black currants, black tea and chocolate wafers. A structure for further aging, 5+ years.

88p   (tasted 2026/01)

2005 Château Beau-Site

An open, warm, spicy nose with notes of bakelite, undergrowth and assorted black fruits. A tad anonymous.

The taste is dry and long with notes of dried up black currant jam, asphalt and tobacco. 

86p   (tasted 2026/01)

2014 Château Lafon-Rochet

A deep, soft nose with notes of bonfire smoke, red and black currants and hints of chocolate. Very, very good.

The taste is seedy and fine with a laid back fruit, some perky tannins and a medium long, balanced finish.

90p   (tasted 2026/01)

1982 Château Beau-Site

A finely matured, deep nose with notes of dried up cassis liquor, orange peel, autumn leaves and graphite. Very fine.

The taste is dry and warm with plenty of black currants fruit, forest floor and vintage leather. A long, silky finish.

92p   (tasted 2026/01)

2006 Château Cos d´Estournel

A big, hot nose with notes of toasted almond, asphalt and some volatile notes. Very young.

The taste is rich and fiery with a fine black fruit, a taut structure and a long, intense finish. This needs at least 10 years in the cellar.

86p   (tasted 2026/01)

2010 Château Coufran

2010 Château Coufran

The best bottle so far from a six pack bought some years ago, see previous notes below. The nose is cool, fresh and perfectly mature with notes of black currant leaves, graphite, cold coffe and some bluberries in the background.

The taste is silky and nicely structured around dried black currants, lead pencil shavings and melted tannins. A long, dry finish. On top of its game.

92p   (tasted 2026/01)

Barolista: 1970 & 1990 Château Coufran

Barolista: 2004 Château Coufran

Barolista: 2010 Château Coufran

Barolista: 2010 Château Coufran

The Barolo Boys In Piedmont - A Visit To E. Molino

I visited Sergio and Alena in September last year - Barolista: A Couple Of Days in Piedmont - A Visit To E. Molino - and had to get back on this trip. Visiting Sergio and Alena and talk wine and lots of other stuff is a true privilege. Can´t wait to get back!

2020 Wilson

100% Nebbiolo. A cool, fresh nose with notes of pears, flowers and gravel.

The taste is tight yet forward with nice yellow fruit and a good acidity. Very good.

87p   (tasted 2026/01)

2025 Langhe Nebbiolo

Sergio fetched this sample from tank. A juicy, perky nose with notes of ripe raspberries, licorice and violets. Very, very good.

The taste is pure and direct with notes of raspberry licorice, tobacco and Langhe earth.

~89p   (tasted 2026/01)

2022 Barolo Bricco Rocca

A finely tuned nose with notes of herbs, raspberries, rosehips and new leather. Very fine.

The taste is young and forward with silky tannins and a beautiful raspberry fruit. A hint of warmth in the finish.

92p   (tasted 2026/01)

2022 Langhe Terraze del Peloroso

This has put on weight and intensity since I tasted it in September, gorgeous fruit, a lovely forests floor note and cherry pips. Great wine. 

10-15% is foot pressed. From 2023 this will be a Barolo instead. 

94p   (tasted 2026/01)

2020 Barolo Riserva del Fico

Only 950 bottles made. The nose is very deep and complex with notes of dried raspberries, Langhe earth, rosehips and red tea. Open and with a gorgeous sweetness to the fruit.

The taste is pure and linear with stunning fruit, a lovely perfumed note, silky tannins and a long, layered finish. Nearly as fine as the 2021. 5+ years.

94p   (tasted 2026/01)

2023 Barbera d´Alba Superiore Mèlia

The 2021 version I tasted in September was a monster (the kind, generous sort). The 2023 is a stunner but a tad more rough around the edges. The nose oozes up from the glass with notes of sugared coffee, asphalt, fir smoke and ripe plums. Very intense.

The taste is broad and rich with boatloads of ripe raspberries, scorched earth, Finnish licorice and smoke. Very, very long. The 16% isn´t noticable at all.

93p   (tasted 2026/01)

2025 Sauvignon Blanc

When I visited in September there were something bubbling in a corner. Sergio has some rows of Sauvignon Blanc and we was of course eager to try it. From tank.

The nose is upfront and grassy with notes of white currants, gooseberries and summer gravel.

The taste is racy and elegant with a fresh acidity and lovely fruit. Very fine. But - it won´t be released, its for family only. But if Sergio and Alena adopts me...? 

~90p   (tasted 2026/01)

2013 Barolo, Costa di Bussia - Tenuta Arnulfo

2013 Barolo Bussia, Costa di Bussia - Tenuta Arnulfo

A cool, fresh nose with notes of hard cherry candy, violets, its finely perfumed and has with some balsamic notes. Very fine.

The taste is young and taut with notes of dried cherries, licorice, violets and mushrooms. A very fine structure for aging. 

I tasted the 1900 Barolo from this cantina a while back - Barolista: The Barolo Boys Does Mature Barolo - 1900 - 1959 - lets see it this will age for that long...

92p   (tasted 2026/01)

2004 Barolo Pressenda, Marziano Abbona

2004 Barolo Pressenda, Marziano Abbona

A deep, mature and lovely nose with notes of dried cherries, paint, ceps and sun warm asphalt. Very fine.

The taste is round and silky with notes of balsamic cooked strawberries, rosehips and fried herbs. Long, complex and perfectly mature.

93p   (tasted 2026/01)

Previous notes:

Barolista: 1999 - 2008 Barolo Pressenda & 2004 Barolo Terlo Ravera, Abbona

Barolista: 2004 Barolo Pressenda, Abbona

A Very Nice Line Up Of Mostly Mature Bottles

M invited to a nice tasting between Christmas and New Year. A lot of interesting bottles - thanks!

All tasted double blind.

2004 Coeour de Cuvée, Vilmart & Co

80% Chardonnay, 20% PInot Noir. An open, fresh nose with notes of freshly washed clothes, dried up lemon curd and birch leaves. A lovely nose.

The taste is creamy and dine with notes of grilled lemons, elderberries and dried flowers. A very fine acidity. Very fine.

94p   (tasted 2025/12)

Flight I

2008 Chablis 1er Cru Fourchaume, Brocard

A somewhat mature, linear nose with notes of matchbox, dried tangerines and some waxy notes.

The taste is broad and mature with notes of yellow apples, dried peaches and gravel. A tad short on the finish.

88p   (tasted 2025/12)

2008 Nuits-Saint-Georges Clos des Perriéres, Domaine du Fouler

A large scaled, smoky nose with notes of candied lemons, dry fudge, red apples and hay. Very, very good.

The taste is rich and concentrated with lots of ripe lemon fruit, a fine acidity and a long, ripe finish.

91p   (tasted 2025/12)

2008 Meursault-Charmes, Henri Germain

A high, pure nose with notes of lemon licorice, summer warm gravel and ripe flowers. Very fine.

The taste is elegant and focused with notes of lemon cream, lemon fudge and chrushed rocks. Very long and structured. Lovely.

93p   (tasted 2025/12)

Flight II

2015 Spätburgunder -S-, Keller

A earthy, dry nose with notes of rowan berries, autumn leaves and root vegetables. 

The taste is mature and quite juicy with notes of dried red berries, earth and dried flowers.

87p   (tasted 2025/12)

2015 Bougogne, Meo-Camuzet

A balanced, fine nose with notes of dried raspberries, vegetable stock and warm earth. Very, very good.

The taste is tight and fine with hints of maturity, ripe lingonberries and a fine acidity. Long and perky.

91p   (tasted 2025/12)

1999 Beaune Vigne de l´Enfant Jesus, Bouchard

A deep, seedy nose with notes of smoke, undergrowth, tobacco and some tarry notes. A bit grumpy on the nose.

The taste is better with a nice concentration, dried red fruit and a long, warm finish.

88p   (tasted 2025/12)

1999 Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Au-Dessus des Malconsorts, Henri & Gilles Remorquet

A deep, tight nose with notes of licorice, raspberry candy, bakelite and forest floor. 

The taste is warm and linear with notes of dried up raspberry jam, tobacco, earth and some dry tannins in the finish. Very, very good.

89p   (tasted 2025/12)

Flight III

1998 Hermitage La Sizeranne, Chapoutier

A deep, meaty nose with notes of freshly grounded pepper, tobacco and undergrowth. A nice warmth.

The taste is round and mature with notes of dried red and black berries, violets and tobacco. Long but a  tad dry on the finish.

88p   (tasted 2025/12)

2001 Côte-Rôtie Cote Blonde, R. Rostaing

A cool, refined nose with notes of dried flowers, veal stock, violets and scorched earth. Complex and lovely.

The taste is tight, seedy and forward with gorgeous black fruit, a taut structure and a long, long finish. Hints of maturity but this a long way to go.

93p   (tasted 2025/12)

2010 Saint-Joseph Les Granits, Chapoutier

A deep, peppery nose with notes of ripe blackberries, chocolate biscuits and dark flowers. Very fine.

The taste is young and structured with a fine warmth, lovely red and black fruits and a peppery finish. 6+ years.

91p   (tasted 2025/12)

Flight IV

1966 Château Poujeaux

A fine, low keyed nose with notes of dry chocolate, dried red currants, autumn leaves and cigarette ash.

The taste is medium bodied and dry with a fine dried up fruit and a silky finish. Very, very good.

90p   (tasted 2025/12)

1970 Château Poujeaux

A deep, velvety nose with notes of smoke, dried up black currant jam and autumn leaves.

The taste is round and inviting with a fine warmth, dried up black fruit and a medium long finish.

89p   (tasted 2025/12)

1986 Château Poujeaux

An open, forward nose with notes of vintage leather, smoke, autumn leaves and tobacco.

The taste is seedy and a tad foursquare with warm black fruit and a long, dry finish.

86p   (tasted 2025/12)

1990 Château Poujeaux

A deep, smoky nose with notes of undergrowth, ripe black currants, graphite and iron. Very fine.

The taste is tight and refined with a lovely black currant fruit, silky tannins and a long, taut finish.

92p   (tasted 2025/12)

2009 Château Poujeaux

A cool, lightly meaty nose with notes of plums, smoke, ink and sandelwood. Very young.

The taste is structured and tight with locked up fruit, polished tannins and a long, seedy finish. Needs 7+ years.

89p   (tasted 2025/12)

1979 Kopke Colheita Port

To finish the evening of, a stunner of a Port. The nose is deep, sweet and layered with notes of roasted nuts, dark fudge, candied orange peel and almond cream. Very fine.

The taste is big and brawny with a lovely structure and notes of raisins, fried nuts, milk chocolate and damons. Very, very long.

93p   (tasted 2025/12)

Collection 242 Brut , Louis Roederer

Collection 242 Brut, Louis Roederer

From magnum. A smoky, bread filled nose with notes of lemon peel, dried apricots, butter biscuits and chrushed rocks. Very fine.

The taste is dry and linear with notes of grilled lemons, sweet mineral, smoke and dried flowers. A long finish with a cleansing acidity.

56% of the blend is from the 2017 vintage, the rest is 34% from Roederer´s perpetual reserve and 10% oak aged reserve wines from the 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 vintages.

92p   (tasted 2025/12)

Two Bottles Of 1982 Bordeaux

1982 Château Gravieres de Marsac

A mature, muffled nose with notes of wet autumn leaves, dried black fruit and soya sauce.

The taste shows a nice warmth with notes of undergrowth, dried up creme de cassis and dry tobacco. Fresher on the palate than on the nose.

81p   (tasted 2025/12)

1982 Château Meyene

This Fronsac is a beauty. A deep, round nose with notes of sugared coffee, dried black currants, warm tiles and tobacco. Very, very good.

The taste is perky and fine with notes of charcoal, leather and black currants. A fine dried up sweetness. Dtinking great on this winter day.

90p   (tasted 2025/12)

A recent tasting of 12 other minor 82´s -  Barolista: 1982 Bordeaux - Twelve Bottles

Some Wines From Taylor´s

 

I was invited by Vinunic to taste some wines from Taylor´s with Eloise Opryszko, account manager at Taylor´s.

Fine White Port, Taylor´s 

A light, sweet nose with notes of dried strawberries, vanilla fudge and white raisins.

The taste is sweet and nice but lacks complexity. Notes of dried fruits and dried up vanilla ice cream.

85p   (tasted 2025/12)

2020 Late Bottles Vintage Port, Taylor´s

A deep, velvety nose with notes of cooked cherries, chocolate mousse and Finnish licorice. Open and friendly.

The taste is forward and fine with notes of dried up cherry jam, plums and milk chocolate. Long and fruity.

88p   (tasted 2025/12)

2009 Vintage Port, Taylor´s

A very deep, regal nose with notes of iron, blackberries, damsons and hot tiles. Very fine.

The taste is massive and intense with notes of dark chocolate, raisins cooked in brandy, sweet minerals and a finish that goes on and on and on. Give this 20+ years.

95p   (tasted 2025/12)

Fine Tawny Port, Taylor´s

A low keyed, sweet nose with notes of dark spices, dried fruits and diesel oil. A touch volatile.

The taste is medium bodied and semi sweet with notes of stale nuts, wet earth and old chocolate. 

86p   (tasted 2025/12)

Reserve Tawny Port "The Globe", Taylor´s

A deep, mature nose with notes of dried fruits, milk chocolate and assorted nuts. A nice oxidative note.

The taste is velvety and ample with notes of asphalt, fried nuts and raisins. A long, fine finish. A blend from Taylor´s tawny reserves.

92p   (tasted 2025/12)

20 Year Old Tawny, Taylor´s

A deep, sweet, perfumed nose with notes of dark caramel, autumn apples, figs and wet earth. Very fine.

The taste is rich and concentrated with notes of plums, figs and blackberry chocolate. Long and rewarding.

93p   (tasted 2025/12)

2019 Langhe Nebbiolo, Margherita Otto

2019 Langhe Nebbiolo, Margherita Otto

An open, perfumed nose with notes of raspberries, licorice, sweet earth and incense. Very, very good.

The taste is nicely structured with a hint of maturity, sweet red fruit and a fine acidity. Drinking great now.

Alan thinks I have waited to long for this Langhe Nebbiolo but I beg to differ. :-)

90p   (tasted 2026/01)

Six Bottles Of Madeira

The last tasting of 2025 in our monthly tasting group and as tradition calls for, fortified wines. H arranged and poured this nice line up.

5 Year Old Tinta Negra, d´Oliveiras

A deep, fine nose with notes of orange peel, nuts, iodine and old leather. A fine warmth.

The taste is medium bodied and rather elegant with a fine acidity and notes of tangerines, dry fudge and band aid. A long, warm finish.

88p   (tasted 2025/12)

10 Year Old Tinta Negra, d´Oliveiras

A high, intense nose with notes of stale nuts, green raisins, orange peel and detergent. Brilliant.

The taste is tight and focused with rich fruit, a piercing acidity and a length counted in minutes. Great wine.

94p   (tasted 2025/12)

NV Bastardo, Barbeito

This Bastardo offers up a dry, earthy nose with notes of iodine, assorted nuts and bakelite. A tad foursquare.

The taste is dry and warm with notes of orange peel, chrushed rocks and cardboard. The alcohol is noticable in the finish.

85p   (tasted 2025/12)

15 Year Old Tinta Negra, d´Oliveiras

A large scaled, deep nose with notes of dried apricots, fried nuts, furniture polish and band aid. Very fine.

The taste is tight and intense with notes of matchbox, dried oranges and nuts. Very, very long.

91p   (tasted 2025/12)

20 Year Old Tinta Negra, d´Oliveiras

A deep, layered nose with notes of dry caramel, autumn apples, sugared coffee and mosquito repellent. Very complex and fine.

The taste is forward, deep and concentrated with gorgeous dried fruit, a stunning acidity and a long, long finish. Lovely.

93p   (tasted 2025/12)

20 Year Old Terrantez, Blandy´s

A high, tight nose with notes of dried red fruits, hay, dark fudge, Christmas spices and iodine. Very deep and fine.

The taste is rich and intense with notes of caramel, orange peel, band aid and orange chocolate. The acidity is of the charts and the finish goes on forever.

94p   (tasted 2025/12)