2006 Sammarco, Castello Dei Rampolla

2006 Sammarco, Castello dei Rampolla
Last tasted nine years ago, time flies! And the bottles have lied patiently in the cellar during that time, but now it was time to open one.
The nose is deep, structured and fine with notes of ripe black currants, graphite, violets, sunwarm rocks and the distinct aroma of a hockey puck! A fine depth with some bonfire scents after some time in the glass. Ripe fruit. Very, very good.
The taste is tight and seedy with notes of ripe black currants, violets, bakelite, cherry licorice and thyme. Dense and fine. Needs time to open up. On the verge of maturity but this still needs another 4+ years in the cellar.
93p   (tasted 2019/01)

Ten Bottles Of 1990 Barbaresco & Two Giacosa Backups

I had amassed a nice collection of Barbaresco´s from the stellar vintage of 1990 and I thought it was time to arrange a tasting dinner around them.

Flight I
1990 Barbaresco, Carlo Quazzolo
Bought for 12 Euros some years back and in all fairness, I didn´t expect much. But it delivered. The nose is light, fine and rather elegant with notes of red currants, forest floor and herbs. Has a fine dried up sweetness. Very good.
The taste is dry and linear with notes of lingonberries, bakelite, dry licorice and herbs. Medium long. Ends with a dry twist. Holding up fine, on the same level the day after.
86p   (tasted 2019/01)

1990 Barbaresco Bric Mentina, La Ca´Növa
I tasted these two wines from La Ca´Növa 1,5 years ago and they behaved identical on this night, the Bric Mentina edging out the Montefico, especially the day after when the Bric Mentina opened up even more. Really fine wines. No hurry to drink these.
93p   (tasted 2019/01)

Deep-fried veal sweetbreads with creamy morels and grated cauliflower

1990 Barbaresco Montefico, La Ca´Növa

See above.
92p   (tasted 2019/01)

1990 Barbaresco, Produttori del Barbaresco
The Normale from the Produttori displays a rough, herbal nose with notes of dried cherries, undergrowth, muscovado sugar and warm sand. Fully mature.
The taste is dry and steady with notes of dried up cherry jam, forest floor, minerals and dry licorice. A long finish with a lot of warmth. Should be drunk sooner than later.
87p   (tasted 2019/01)

Flight II
1990 Barbaresco Sori Tilden, Gaja
The second flight was supposed to show the heights of Barbaresco - Gaja & Giacosa. Talk about an anticlimax... The Gaja bottle looked good, the level was fine and with no signs of seepage. But as soon as the foil was removed my heart dropped. The cork was dark and moist and there was some seepage under the foil. The cork came up in one piece but was totally soaked through. The wine was brown and showed all signs of being cooked. Ah well, I have the Giacosa, I thought...
50p   (tasted 2019/01)

1990 Barbaresco Riserva Santo Stefano, Bruno Giacosa
A perfect bottle, perfect level and the cork was long and in perfect health, except for what it had brought to the wine - corked...horribly corked.
Now there was some cursing going on, but I soon calmed down and went to the cellar and got two backups.
50p   (tasted 2019/01)

Second Flight II - The Backups
1990 Barolo Riserva Falletto di Serralunga, Bruno Giacosa
I tasted these two bottles almost ten years ago in a nice Giacosa line up (those were the times when you could buy bottles of Giacosa Riserva with some age without robbing a bank or two...). These proofed to be worthy replacements.
The nose on the Falletto is a dream with gorgeous notes of sweet/sour cherries, rosehips, iron, dry licorice, sweet minerals and really fin tobacco. Very, very deep. There is some maturity here but this has lots more to give.
The taste is refined, racy and regal with notes of hard cherry candy, forest floor, dried roses, tobacco. mushrooms and asphalt. The finish goes on forever. Very aristocratic. Drinking beautifully today and will go on for 10+ years. Even better tha day after.
98p   (tasted 2019/01)

1990 Barolo Riserva Collina Rionda, Bruno Giacosa
Aaaaaah! Thats sums it up. Wine doesn´t get any better than this, albeit I only gave it 99p... The nose is deeper and darker than the Falletto with stunning notes of ripe wild raspberries, Finnish licorice, rosemary, sweet violets, warm tiles and pipe tobacco. Deep as the Mariana trench. Breathtaking.
The taste is brilliant and balanced with notes of rosehips, dried strawberries, pipe tobacco, forest floor, tar and fresh herbs. The intensity is of the charts. A two minute long finish with some still firm tannins. This just needs 6+ years for that extra point...
99p   (tasted 2019/01)

Flight III
1990 Barbaresco Serraboella, Fratelli Cigliuti
A very elegant, low keyed nose with notes of red currants, rosehips, paint, mushrooms and a ever so slight hint of mint. Very refined. Lovely.
The taste is medium bodied and graceful with notes of dried strawberries, asphalt, rosehips and mushrooms. Silky tannins show themselves in the long finish. Fully mature but no hurry to drink.
92p   (tasted 2019/01)

1990 Barbaresco Santo Stefano, xxxx
"#%¤#"!)(/&! - another corked bottle!!
50p   (tasted 2019/01)

1990 Barbaresco Brich Ronchi, Albino Rocca
The Albino Rocca shows a deep, warm, mature nose with notes of warm tiles, ripe red cherries, undergrowth and old leather. A fine warmth but a tad sparse in the middle.
The taste has a very fine warmth with nice, cooked red fruit and notes of bonfire, scorched earth, tobacco and licorice. Very long and fine. Better on the palate. Very, very good.
88p   (tasted 2019/01)

Oxtail ragu with parmesan gnocchi and carrots

1990 Barbaresco Moccagatta, Produttori del Barbaresco
The Moccagatta possesses a lot more structure, refinement and depth than the Normale. The nose is deep, cool and somewhat mature with notes of bonfire smoke, ripe red currants, rosehips, fresh mushrooms and some tobacco aromas. Very fine.
The taste is concentrated and tight with still some perky tannins and notes of ripe red currants, Finnish licorice, forest floor, dried flowers and tobacco. Very long and racy. Feels even fresher and younger on the palate. This will go on for 10+ years. Great wine.
94p   (tasted 2019/01)

2014 Rossese Di Dolceacqua Superiore Poggio Pini, Tenuta Anfosso

2014 Rossese di Dolceacqua Superiore Poggio Pini, Tenuta Anfosso
I have visited Tenuta Anfosso twice, see below, and Alessandro and Marisa are the nicest people you could ever meet. I bought this wine at the estate on my last visit and thought it could be time to check out on the progress.
The nose has fatten up from the last time I tasted it and displays notes of ripe raspberries, scorched earth, warm licorice, pomegranate and fried herbs. Very deep and fine.
The taste is bigger and more concentrated than I remember with a mix of rasp- and blueberries alongside notes of violets, leather and scorched earth. Long and lingering with a fine warmth. I bit more locked in than before, needs 5+ years in the cellar.
91p   (tasted 2019/01)

My first visit in July 2013

My second visit in July 2017

2007 & 2012 Barolo Monvigliero, Bel Colle

2007 Barolo Monvigliero, Bel Colle
A very fine, open, meaty nose with notes of dried raspberries, rosehips, undergrowth and some animal aromas in the background. After some time there is lots of hard cherry candy flowing up from the glass. Very, very good.
The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of asphalt, hard cherry candy, dried rose petals and some mushroomy notes. A long, distinct finish with warm tannins. Ends on a dry, fine note. Should be drunk sooner than later.
89p   (tasted 2019/01)

2012 Barolo Monvigliero, Bel Colle
I drank this 1,5 years ago, bought some bottles and said to myself - keep your fingers from them for 5+ years. I couldn´t...
It still shows that high, energetic fruit with notes of sweet red currants, tobacco, earth and violets. A very fine sweetness to the fruit. Lovely.
The taste is focused and forward with notes of violet pastilles, red currants, gravel and dry licorice. A long, fresh, seedy finish. Very promising. I hope I can keep my hands from the remaining bottles for a couple of years...
92p   (tasted 2019/01)

1953 - 1990 Château Soutard

"The aim is to make long-keeping, classic wines, and the result is rather uncompromising, and needs patience from the consumer"  (David Peppercorn: Bordeaux)

"The wine is solid, dense and uncompromising. But is undeniably rich and concentrated when mature" (Clive Coates: Grands Vins)

"This is one of St-Emilions best-kept secrets. For consumers looking for wines capable of lasting 20 or more years, Soutard should be seriously considered" ( Robert Parker: Bordeaux)

I used the quotes above when I arranged my previous vertical of Château Soutard - 1950 - 1989. And after this second vertical I can, again, attest to their validity.

Flight I
1953 Château Soutard
A very refined, laid back, finely mature wine that speaks volume in a low key. The nose is elegant and deep with notes of forest floor, dried red currants, gravel and cool tobacco scents. Very fine.
The taste is cool, dry and lively with notes of dried red berries, autumn leaves, tobacco and a touch of band aid. Medium long. Very balanced. Not at the least dried out. A lovely, mature wine.
91p   (tasted 2019/01)

1955 Château Soutard
This has been stored badly somewhere along the line. The nose is big and cooked with notes of stale Coca-Cola, bakelite and sugared coffee.
The taste is warm and dried up. Short and dry. There is a fine warmth here, indicating that this could have been a fine wine if stored properly.
64p   (tasted 2019/01)

1964 Château Soutard
A dense, herbal, warm nose with notes of plums, tar, scorched earth and iron and blood. Impressive in a rich, bold way. But doesn´t have the refinement of some of the others.
The taste is taut and steady with notes of plums, tobacco, sand and stables. A very good structure. There is still some broad shouldered tannins in the finish. Very, very good but not as great as the bottle 7 years ago.
90p   (tasted 2019/01)

1966 Château Soutard
The 66 sports a delicate, classic Bordeaux nose with notes of red and black currants, cigarr box, leather and sandelwood. This I would have placed on the right bank ten times out of ten... Lovely.
The taste is tight and focused with notes of red currants, tobacco, graphite and gravel. Some herbal notes in the finish. Long and velvety. Perfectly mature. Really fine.
93p   (tasted 2019/01)

Flight II
1975 Château Soutard
The 75 was a disaster at the tasting 7 years ago, one taster calling it the worst wine he ever tasted. This bottle was gladly much better, although it displays the 75´s lack of charm. The nose is deep but somewhat muted with notes of gravel, ripening blueberries, dried up tapenade and herbs. Very good but not much joie de vivre.
The taste is tight and stubborn but has good fruit and structure. A long, distinct finish with some gravelly tannins at the end. Notes of blueberries, gravel and soot. Will surely go on for many years but will only become more rigid with every passing year.
87p   (tasted 2019/01)

1978 Château Soutard
Compared to the 75, this is a real charmer! The nose is open, mature and sweet with notes of plums, fresh stables, herbs, tar and tobacco. A very fine warmth. Round and fine.
The taste is juicy and dry at the sama time, with notes of nutmeg, plums, tobacco, autumn leaves and road dust. A long, succulent finish with just a hint of tannins at the end. Drinking perfect on this night.
93p   (tasted 2019/01)

1985 Château Soutard
The 85 is open for business with the typical sweet, care free fruit of the 85´s. It actually behaves identical to the bottle tasted 7 years ago! The nose is warm and fine with notes of plums, dark earth, tobacco and a ever so slight hint of mint. Very, very good.
The taste is round and forward with juicy tannins and notes of plums, dark chocolate, fir wood and earth. A long lasting finish with no hard edges. Drinking great.
90p   (tasted 2019/01)

1990 Château Soutard
The youngster in the line up displays a tight, concentrated nose with notes of sweet tobacco, plums, asphalt and thyme. Deep and fine. No hints of maturity, just clean, perky fruit.
The taste is sandy and structured with notes of red currants, plums, herbs, asphalt and leather. A very fine balance between the fruit, acidity and tannins. Very promising but being Soutard, this needs 10+ years in the cellar, or preferably 20 years...
91p   (tasted 2019/01)

Other vintages tasted:
1983
1997

1983 Pernand-Vergelesses, Marie Maignot

1983 Pernand-Vergelesses, Marie Maignot
A Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin bottling, which from my experience usually have a high standard. And so with this bottle.
The nose needs thirty minutes to open up but then reveals fine notes of forest floor, dried raspberries, sweet root vegetables, warm tiles, ripe flowers and some clean animal scents. Shows a fine maturity but definitely not on its last leg. Holds well over the evening. Very, very good.
The taste is round, soft and mature with a fine dried up sweetness and notes of dried raspberries, undergrowth, moist earth, sweet tobacco, candle grease and violets. Ends with a dry twist. Mature, yes, but now overly so. Bottle like this will hold on for another 6+ years but then the level on this bottle was 1 cm below the cork.
90p   (tasted 2019/01)

A Tasting Dinner With Vintages 1934 - 2015

Mikke invited to a tasting dinner promising to open some mature bottles. And so he did...

All wines tasted double blind.

2015 Macon-Cruzille Clos de Mollepierre, Domaine Guillot-Broux
A nutty and buttery nose with notes of white peach, grass and lemon oil. Very good.
The taste is fat and fine with notes of lemon cream, apricots and some rubbery notes. The acidity is good but not really integrated. Medium long. Started out fine but turned out worse with air.
84p   (tasted 2019/01)

2015 Macon-Cruzille Les Genièvrières, Domaine Guillot-Broux
There is nothing wrong with sulfur!! Instead we get this...
A 2015 that smells like a badly stored 1985... A mature, round nose with notes of old wrinkled red apples, detergent, toasted almonds and ski wax. Flat.
The taste is smoky and round with notes of yellow beets, old biscuits and gravel. Heavy-handed. As with the wine above, the acidity is not integrated.
76p   (tasted 2019/01)

2015 Puligny-Montrachet, Bachelet-Monnet
Thanks! A real Burgundy! This is batting above its Village appellation. A balanced, detailed nose with notes of grilled lemons, lemon licorice, chalk and white flowers. Refined.
The taste is young and focused with notes of lemon cream, white currants, minerals and smoke. A long finish with a fine acidity. Very fine.
92p   (tasted 2019/01)

2015 Meursault 1er Cru Les Charmes, Philippe Chavy
A cool, stony nose with notes of sun warm rocks, ginger, grass and cap gun smoke. Opens up nicely in the glass. Very, very good.
The taste is light and elegant with notes of dried yellow flowers, lime peel, star fruit and lots of chalk. Lots of potential here. 6+ years.
92p   (tasted 2019/01)

2007 Chardonnay Private Reserve, Beringer
This has depth and concentration, like the aroma from a deeply flavoured lobster soup, with additional notes of chrushed rocks, yellow apples and lemon fudge. High and pure. Very fine.
The taste is pure and intense with beautiful sweet fruit, a pearcing acidity and a one minute long finish. Lovely notes of grilled lemons, salted licorice, birch sap and sweet minerals. A surprise when revealed, I don´t know how many thousand bottles they make of this, but Kudos to Beringer for turning out this quality. All at the table who tasted blind prefered this to the Kongsgaard.
95p   (tasted 2019/01)

2007 Chardonnay, Kongsgaard
But this isn´t no slouch, even though it had to take the backseat to the Beringer on this evening. The nose is tight and concentrated with notes of apricots, gravel, peanuts, warm sand and dried pineapple. Very deep.
The taste is bold and rich with notes of ripe yellow pears, gravel, ripe flowers and a creamy fish stock. Very intense. Long, lingering. Very, very good.
93p   (tasted 2019/01)

1934 Corton, Chanson
When tasted and forced to guess, I guessed Burgundy and 1964....wrong by only thirty years. The nose is old and wrinkled but has a spark in its eye, displaying a soft, dried up sweetness with notes of autumn leaves, cooked root vegetables, earth and dried herbs. Very good.
The taste is mature and dry with notes of rowanberries, earth, autumn leaves and there is a hint of dried strawberries. As with old Burgundy´s (and Nebbiolo´s) it gets better and better in the glass, hitting its stride after two hours in the glass. A fine testament to the longevity of Burgundy.
87p   (tasted 2019/01)

1978 Pommard, Morin
The first red wine flight was supposed to be a two bottle flight. It turned out to be a one bottle flight, just the old timer above. The first bottle of this was corked. Damn, but these things happens. Next bottle.....corked. Ok then, lets get the last bottle of the trio bought. Guess what?
You guessed it - corked! What are the odds...
No rating   (tasted 2019/01)

1985 Château d´Angludet
The next four wines really became a walk down memory lane. Everyone called it Bordeaux after the first sniff. My first tasting note of 85 d´Angludet is from September of 1993, then I scored it 88p and wrote "will develop fine". It has.
The nose is laid back and classic with a fine maturity and notes of earth, green peppers, red currants, dried up coffee and a hint of red wine vinegar. Very, very good.
The taste is fresh and dry with a soft maturity and notes of red currants, graphite, old leather and earth. Medium long and finely balanced. Has most likey been on top for some years and will continue there for 5+ years.
90p   (tasted 2019/01)

1983 Château Mouton Baronne Philippe
The odd vintage out in the lineup sports a warm, round, mature nose with notes of dried black currants, autumn leaves, pencil shavings and some stable notes from a distance. Very good.
The taste is dry and cool with notes of red and black currants, dry herbs, earth and leather. A medium long, dry finish. Very good but lacks a bit of flesh in the mid palate.
86p   (tasted 2019/01)

1985 Château Gloria
This one shows of a lot of stable notes at first but after a twenty minutes in the glass there are additional notes of damsons, leather, Chistmas spices and forest floor. A very fine sweetness to the fruit. Very fine.
The taste is mature and fine with a lovely dried up sweetness and notes of plums, tobacco and warm gravel. A long, lingering finish. Very, very good.
89p   (tasted 2019/01)

1985 Château Talbot
Last tasted in april of 1994 and my final note was "not really mature". Oh really... After 24 years I can tell it has matured. The nose is deep and lightly meaty with notes of dried black currants, dry chocolate, leather and forest floor. When the bottle was revealed you could almost sense that Cordier funk...
The taste is round, upfront and generous with notes of plums, black currants, spices, fresh stables and gravel. Very long and intense. A lovely maturity. Really fine.
92p   (tasted 2019/01)

1959 Domaine des Girondes
The label says that this is a Grand Vin. I beg to differ. At least now, 60 year after harvest. The nose is dry and thin with notes of dry nuts, old crumbled ut biscuits, some unripe red berries and gravel.
The taste is dry and short with some reminiscence of oranges and apricots but other than that, dry nuts, gravel and old hay.
65p   (tasted 2019/01)

?
Always interesting to taste something without a clue, even after the bottle is revealed! As you can see from the pic, the label doesn´t give of any information.
It has a fine, Sauternes like nose with notes of iodine, Del Monte juice, hand cream, apriocts and hay. A fine intensity in a low key kind of way. Very good.
The taste is mature and concentrated with notes of apriocts, pineapple, ripe pears and band aid. A very fine dried up sweetness. Very long. I´m guessing the 60´s, but who knows...
88p   (tasted 2019/01)

1981 Château Rieussec
Aaaah, a deep, sweet, concentrated nose with notes of ripe pineapples, mango, wet asphalt and furniture polish. Deep and intense. Very, very good.
The taste has a lovely maturity and notes of dried orange peel, lavender honey, apricots, band aid and mature banana peel. A long, fine finish with a supporting acidity. On top of its game.
91p   (tasted 2019/01)

1994 Cabernet Sauvignon Print Label, Mitchelton

1994 Cabernet Sauvignon Print Label, Mitchelton
Opens a bit restrained but just after thirty minutes in the glass it offers up a mature, delicate nose with notes of plums, violets, fried herbs, iodine and a touch of mint. Very fresh and alive.
The taste is round and generous with notes of mint chocolate, plums, tar, tobacco and undergrowth. A fine dryness at the end. Drinking perfect with a mushroom pizza on a Wednesday evening.
88p   (tasted 2019/01)

The Baroli Of New Years Eve

It has become a tradition to drink Barolo on New Years Eve, and I´m not complaining! This was the lineup on the evening when 2018 turned into 2019.

2004 Barolo Vigneto Cannubi, Burlotto
A deep, fairly dark nose with notes of black cherries, dried raspberries, dark flowers, violets and tobacco. Very, very fine. High and fine. Darker that the Cannubi from Burlotto are nowadays.
The taste is tight and refined with notes of ripe cherries, salt licorice, minerals and violets. A long, taut finish. Still on the young side of things. Great wine.
94p   (tasted 2018/12)

2001 Barolo Brunate, Marcarini
The Marcarini shows of an elegant, pure nose with some maturity and notes of salmiak, dried cherries, autumn leaves and a hint of fresh stables. A lot of mushrooms after a while. Very, very good.
The taste is round and inviting but at the end of the finish there are some sandy tannins. Fine notes of asphalt, dried raspberries, rosehips and tobacco. Drink now and the coming 10+ years.
92p   (tasted 2018/12)

2001 Barolo San Rocco, Azelia
This starts of wide open and sweet with vanilla cooked cherries, Finnish licorice, smoke, tobacco and some mint - there is some oak here... But, as the evening went on it gets subdued, and the day after it was gone, and then it was only pure Nebbiolo fruit showing.
The taste is big and forward with sweet cherry fruit and additional notes of dark chocolate, tobacco and asphalt. Again, pure, luscious fruit the day after. The score is of the wine the day after.
91p   (tasted 2018/12)

2001 Barolo Riserva Vignolo, Cavallotto
The Vignolo from Cavallotto is always a treat. The nose is deep, focused and a bit laid back with notes of candle grease, dried strawberries, rosehips, mushrooms and a touch of coffee grounds. Very refined. Has barely reached the first stages of maturity.
The taste is closed in, even with a couple of hours in a decanter, with notes of red currants, forest floor, rosehips, violets and gravel. Very long and beautifully balanced. Needs 6+ more years in the cellar.
94p   (tasted 2018/12)

2001 Barolo Vigna Rionda, Luigi Pira
A very finely structured nose with notes of black cherries, fresh rose petals, warm earth, paint and violets. Very deep and refined. Just lovely. A tad of maturity but this has places to go.
The taste is focused and broading with sandy tannins and a lovely strawberry/cherry/red currant fruit paired with notes of forest floor, rosehips and violets. A stunning bottle of Barolo.
96p   (tasted 2018/12)


The Wines Of New Years Eve 2017

The Wines Of New Years Eve 2016

Drinking Tonight - 2015 Syrah, Lilian

2015 Syrah, Lilian
After tasting this a couple of months ago I bought some and thought that it was time for a test drive in my home environment.
The nose is a dream - cool, energetic notes of hand pounded veal meat, chrushed white peppers, bay leaves, ripe blueberries and ripening blackberries, bonfire smoke and a hint of cocoa. Very deep and refined. Young of course but shows a really fine balance.
The taste is handsome and seamless with notes of a dried up blueberry pie, Finnish licorice, burning birch wood, white pepper and violets en masse. The finish is long, structured and sports a handful of polished tannins. Really fine. With home made burgers and Heston Blumenthal´s chips, a perfect pair. 8+ years.
96p   (tasted 2019/01)

Earlier vintages tasted:
2013   (93p)
2010 & 2012   (93p/97p)

One & A Half Bottle Of Sherry

I have said it before and will probably say it again and again - I drink way too little Sherry!

NV Fine Old Oloroso Sherry, ?
Imported by J. B. Hinkers Nachfolger, München in the 30`s? The 40`s? The bottles is a bit crooked and tilt to the right.
The nose is fine and lively with notes of herbs, dryroasted nuts, gravel, dried sage and veal stock. Not that deep though.
The taste has a fine intensity and are medium dry with notes of dry red apples, nuts, gravel, herbs and herbs. Lacks complexity but keeps things together in a nice way. Not amiss.
84p   (tasted 2019/01)

NV Oloroso Tradicion 30 Years, Bodegas Tradicion
A very deep, hauntingly beautiful nose with lovely notes of dried tangerines, ski wax, white raisins, band aid, soot, dried mushrooms and about 50 more scents... Stunning!
The taste is very tight and intense with grace and poise, with notes of apricots, pan fried nuts, tar, herbs and a gymcarpet. The finish is counted in minutes. Even better than when tasted three years ago (a different bottling though).
95p   (tasted 2019/01)

The Ten Most Memorable Wines Of 2018

Another year has passed, 921 bottles tasted and drunk, of which 355 was a Barolo (a Barolo a day keeps the doctor away...).

It is always tough to narrow it down to ten wines but with a glass of 2009 Estate Cuvée, Kapcsándy it becomes a tad more easy!
As always a lot of great dinners and tasting with friends - thanks all!

Here they are, in vintage order.
A toast to a equally great 2019!

1890 Malmsey, Freitas Martins
Old Madeira have a special place in my heart, and when they are this good, you just surrender to its etheral beauty.
99p   (tasted 2018/11)

1952 Barolo, Cappellano
Pinch me hard! Here I am, sitting at a table in La Coccinella with the Barolo Boys and Maria Teresa Mascarello, Roberto Conterno and Augusto Cappellano.
The occasion? A dinner with 14 bottles of Barolo, Cappellano, vintages ranging from 1947 to 2004. There were a lot of stunning bottles but one was perfect, the 1952. Words can´t to do justice to this wine.
Since the late Theobaldo didn´t want his wines to be scored, I never do (but in this instance you maybe can figure it out...)   (tasted 2018/04)

The 1952 to the right and Roberto Conterno in the background... Note the label on the 47 - a Super Barolo!

Three happy winemakers after a fantastic Cappellano dinner!

1990 Barolo Cannubi Boschis, Sandrone
I arranged a vertical tasting of Cannubi Boschis a couple of months ago and it turned out to be a great event. The bottle that was my favourite was the 1990, a wine which I fourteen years ago gave a perfect score. On this night it came close...
98p   (tasted 2018/09)

The bottles tasted 

The man himself, Luciano Sandrone, from our visit in November 2018

1998 Côte-Rôtie La Turque, Guigal
It is nice to have friends who opens bottles like this! Roderick turned 50 in 2018 and treated us with an array of great bottles - this La Turque towered over the rest. Thanks Roderick!
99p   (tasted 2018/03)

2010 Syrah Vieilles Vignes, Simon Maye
The 2007 of this wine made last years list but the 2010 is an even greater bottle of Swiss Syrah. In a tasting with lots of fine wines this was the shining star. Thanks Sverker!
98p   (tasted 2018/02)

2010 Barolo Riserva Granbussia, Aldo Conterno
It is always a treat to visit Giacomo (twice in 2018!) and when we were there in November we got to taste all the 2015 Baroli (and probably the best Barbera I have ever tasted, the 2016) but despite their greatness they had to take the backseat to this perfect specimen. When released, I will buy. Plenty.
100p   (tasted 2018/11)

Giacomo with some of the bottles tasted...

2012 Brunello di Montalcino Madonna delle Grazie, Il Marroneto
In May David and Ulf - thanks! - attanges a great tasting of 2012 Brunello di Montalcino. We tasted 10 bottles and there were many fine wines poured but the one that shone the greatest was this one. Give this 8+ years and you surely will have perfection in your glass.
98p   (tasted 2018/05)

2013 Chardonnay Larry Hyde & Sons, Aubert
Having never tasted anything from Aubert, but heard a lot about them, I was very glad to the opportunity to taste this beauty.
A lot of ripe Chardonnay fruit with melted butter, lemon cream and fried spices, but it keeps everything in check with a fantastic acidity and a stern structure. Thanks Marcus for bringing this bottle!
97p   (tasted 2018/08)

2013 Petrucci, Poderi Forte
Everything I want from a Sangiovese! Stunningly pure, ripe and with a rigid backbone, this gorgeous Tuscan really was delivering the goods at this tasting, held at Operakällaren, one on Swedens best restaurants. Thanks Jörgen!
96p   (tasted 2018/11)

2017 Barolo Rocche dell´Annunziata, Paolo Scavino
I know. This isn´t a "real" wine yet, since it still lies in those beautiful 50 hl casks in Scavino´s cellar, and who will know which parts will go inte the final blend? And will it as usual be a Riserva? These are some questions, but there is none regarding the quality of this nectar. This may very well rival the perfect 2010 in due course...
~97p   (2018/11)

Elisa Scavino pouring Rocche dell´Annunziata from the cask

Earlier years:
The Ten Most Memorable Wines Of 2017

The Ten Most Memorable Wines Of 2016

The Ten Most Memorable Wines Of 2015

The Ten Most Memorable Wines Of 2014

The Ten Most Memorable Wines Of 2013

The Ten Most Memorable Wines Of 2012

The Ten Most Memorable Wines Of 2011