Thursday 23 December 2021

The Day Before Christmas Barolo - 2011 Barolo Riserva Tenuta Pianpolvere, Fratelli Adriano

This years ginger bread house is dedicated to our dog Shiraz

2011 Barolo Riserva Tenuta Pianpolvere, Fratelli Adriano
An old school, deep nose with notes of undergrowth, dried cherries, shoe polish and violet licorice. Very, very good. A hint of maturity.
The taste is taut and somewhat backward with notes of dried cherries, rosehips, potato water, violets and gravel. Fine structured tannins in the finish. 5+ years. 
90p   (tasted 2021/12)

Monday 20 December 2021

Barolista Turns Ten Years


On the 1th of December 2011 I published my first post on this blog. Now - ten years, 1.775 posts and 1.120.184 views later - I thought a celebration was in order. On the 1th of December I invited some friends and opened a bunch of bottles from the 2011 vintage.

Flight I
2011 Cuvée Edmond, E. Barnaut
Tasted earlier this year. Exact the same impressions on this night.
91p   (tasted 2021/12)


2011 Amour de Deutz, Deutz
This Blanc de Blancs offers up a tight, complex nose with notes of grilled lemons, yellow plums, warm sand and dry vanilla fudge. Refined. Just lovely.
The taste is racy and elegant with notes of lemon cream, minerals, butter biscuits and a hint of saffron. A caressing acidity. Very long. Great wine.
96p   (tasted 2021/12)

Flight II
2011 Hubacher GG, Keller
Both Keller bottles were awesome wines. The Hubacher sports a still young, focused nose with notes of tangerines, wet asphalt, ripe oranges and oil cloth. Very deep and complex.
The taste is structured and compact with notes of almond paste, tangerines, wet rocks and assorted spices. Very, very long with a high, supporting acidity. 6+ years.
96p   (tasted 2021/12)


2011 Morstein GG, Keller
The cork stickedvto the glass and was a #¤"% to get out. But then… Fantastic. The nose is bottomless deep with notes of dry lemon licorice, a rubber carpet, wet asphalt and decaying flowers. Very intense and utterly gorgeous.
The taste is intense and brilliant with notes of dry almonds, lemon peel, chrushed rocks, grass and sweet minerals. The finish goes on for minutes. Stunning.
98p   (tasted 2021/12)

Flight III
2011 Barolo Acclivi, Burlotto
Sadly corked.
No rating   (tasted 2021/12)

2011 Barolo Rocche dell´Annunziata, Mauro Veglio
A deeå, broad nose with notes of red beets, wet earth, ripe raspberries and tobacco. Very, very good. A touch of oak in the background.
The taste is somewhat mature with broad skouldered soft tannins and notes of chocolate covered raspberries, earth and tobacco. Long and fine.
92p   (tasted 2021/12)



2011 Barolo Serra, Giovanni Rosso
A stern, iron filled nose with notes of black cherries, dry licorice, rosehips and asphalt. Deep and fine.
The taste is taut yet elegant with notes of ripe strawberries, iron, mushrooms and earth. Long with still noticable tannins. 5+ years.
91p   (tasted 2021/12)

2011 Barolo Tre Tine, Giuseppe Rinaldi
A beauty. The nose rises up from the glass with notes of red currants, earth, tar and spices. High and handsome.
The taste is tight and elegant with notes of red currant, red beets, red vinegar, forest floor and detergent. A long, polished finish. Sooo fine. 3+ years.
95p   (tasted 2021/12)


2011 Barolo Garblet Sue, Brovia
A very deep, taut nose with notes of sandel wood, hard cherry candy, rosehips and cool tobacco. Very fine.
The taste is structured and fine with notes of red cherries, asphalt, rosehip and cold coffee. Very,very long and distinct. 6+ years.
94p   (tasted 2021/12)


2011 Barolo Bussia, Giacomo Fennochio
A restrained nose with notes of dried red fruits, herbs, earth and dried flowers. Needs time. Deep and fine.
The taste is very tight and backwards with notes of hard cherry candy, forest floor, asphalt and dried herbs. Some intense tannins ends the finish. 10+ years.
90p   (tasted 2021/12)

Saturday 18 December 2021

2014 Langhe Nebbiolo, Cav Cesare Canonica


2014 Langhe Nebbiolo, Cav Cesare Canonica
Old school, and I like it! The nose is characterful with notes of shoe polish, ripe raspberries, flower water, earth and a hint of meat. Complex and fine.
The taste is tight and wilful and dry with notes of dried strawberries, scorched earth, rosehips and asphalt. A long, dry finish. Highly gulpable. Need to get me more of this.
90p   (tasted 2021/12)

2015 Dogliani San Luigi, Pecchenino


2015 Dogliani San Luigi, Pecchenino
A very fine, tight nose with notes of ripe blueberries, dried blackberries, violets, ink and ripe flowers. Very, very fine.
The taste is finely structured with silky tannins and lovely blueberry fruit intermingled with notes of iron, damsons, violets and a hint of tobacco. A great Dolcetto! 5+ years.
92p   (tasted 2021/12)

Tuesday 14 December 2021

2011 Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Les Murgers des Dents de Chien, Alex Gambal


2011 Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Les Murgers des Dents de Chien, Alex Gambal
This 10 year old Burgundy displays a lovely, spicylwith a hint of maturity and notes of ripe yellow apples, dry fudge, a hint of ginger and dried up vanilla ice cream. A very fine depth.
The taste is dry and mineral laden with notes of ginger spiced orange juice, birch leaves, salt caramel and chrushed rocks. A very fine acidity. Long and lovely. 
93p   (tasted 2021/12)

Sunday 12 December 2021

Birthday Wines - Part Two


There were some other wines poured but that will be a separate post. The bottles that counts are of course the ones from The Greatest Vintage Ever.

1964 Barolo Collina Cannubio, Serio & Battista Borgogno
Open and fine with notes of dried red berries, autumn apples, forest floor, fir wood and rosehips. Very, very goood.
The taste is seedy and mature with notes of earth, mushrooms, dried cherries and asphalt. Silky tannins. A fine lenght. Drink now and the coming 5+ years. Great.
88p   (tasted 2021/12)


1964 Barolo Riserva Speciale, Carlo Macardi
A large scaled but very harmonious, mature nose with notes of cold coffee, dried strawberries, red beets and ceps. A very fine dried up sweetness.
The taste has a lovely balance between fruit, tannins and acidity, with notes of dried strawberries, earth, rosehips, dry licorice and iron. Fully mature but bottles like this will go on for another 10 years.
92p   (tasted 2021/12)


Friday 10 December 2021

Birthday Wines - Part One

On my actual birthday - a bottle of Champagne & a bottle of Barolo - simple and gorgeous. 
On Sunday there will be a family dinner with some 64´s - The Greatest Vintage Ever!

2012 Grand Cru Prestige Brut, Benoit Beaufort
50% each of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The nose is open and spicy with notes of cookie dough, red apples, ripe oranges, smoke and wet ashalt. Very fine.
The taste is pure and fresh, a younger feel compared to the nose, with notes of lemon, ripening oranges, smoke and iron. A very fine acidity. 6+ years.
92p   (tasted 2012/12)



1996 Barolo, Burlotto
This needed a couple of hours in the decanter to awaken from its slumber. The nose is round and mature with notes of undergrowth, Christmas spices, ripe raspberries, bay leaves and a hint of tobacco. 
The taste is taut and mature with notes of dried cherris, gravel, earth and dried herbs. Long and fine. Mature but there is no hurry to drink any remaining bottles. Very fine.
92p   (tasted 2021/12)

Wednesday 8 December 2021

An Evening Of Chardonnay


H invited to a tasting dinner with a Chardonnay theme. We were told that it would be USA dominated with some dark horses. We had a great evening!
All wines tasted double blind.

Flight I
2014 Sta Rita Hills White Hill Chardonnay, Liquid Farm
A cool, high nose with notes of shellfish, lemon zest, grass, flint and some fresh herbs. Very, very good.
The taste is tight and a bit warmer than the nose leads you to believe. Fine notes of lemon cream, dried apricot and hay. A fine length.
90p   (tasted 2021/11)



2016 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, Kutch
A handsome nose with notes of lemon cream, grilled lemons, fudge and some oak notes. 
The taste is stony and fine with notes of elderberries, lemon cream and crushed rocks. Very, very good.
88p   (tasted 2021/11)

2016 Sonoma Coast Marema Chardonnay, Ceritas
A tight, fresh nose with notes of star fruit, scallops, chives and sun warm rocks. After some time in the glass scents of ripe lemons. Very fine.
The taste is refined and tight with a fine salty note, lemon zest, flint and steel. Laid back and very fine. 5+ years.
91p   (tasted 2021/11)


2015 Sta Rita Hills Juliet Chardonnay, Domaine de la Cote
An open, creamy nose with notes of dry fudge, cool mango, flint, red basil and red apples. Just lovely.
The taste is steady and structured with notes of ripe oranges, flint, lemon fudge and sandelwood. Very long. Very fine.
94p   (tasted 2021/11)



2017 Sta Rita Hills Sandford & Benedict Chardonnay, Sandhi
A cool, elegant nose with notes of lime peel, fish skin, grey pears and warm grass. Complex and fine.
The taste is tight and seedy with notes of lemon peel, hay, ripe pears and a fine salty note. Very fine.
92p   (tasted 2021/11)




Flight II
2018 Russian River Valley Peugh Vineyard Chardonnay, Anthill Farms
A high, pure nose with notes of warm grass, ripening oranges, grape and sweet minerals. Very fine.
The taste is tight and refined with notes of lemon peel, grass, oyster juice and a fine salty note. High and fine.
93p   (tasted 2021/11)



2016 Santa Cruz Mountains Trout Gulch Vineyard Chardonnay, Ceritas
A very deep nose with notes of apple juice, sand, grass and a slight metallic scent. Handsome in a strict way.
The taste is tight and seedy with a very high acidity that almost takes over the fruit, but it is there in the shape of ripe lemons and yellow apples. 4+ years.
90p   (tasted 2021/11)

2016 Bien Nacido Vineyard Chardonnay, Chanin
A deep, spicy nose with notes of yellow apples, lemon licorice, lemon candy and minerals. Very fine.
The taste is racy and focused with notes of ripe lemons, sweet minerals, licorice fudge and warm sand. A great mouthfeel with a cleansing acidity. Lovely.
94p   (tasted 2021/11)


2011 Puligny-Montrachet Champs Canet, Jacques Carillon
A cat amongst the ermines, or the other way around... A cool, pure nose with notes of dry butter biscuits, birch leaves, lemon cream and crushed rocks. Very, very good.
The taste is tight and nicely concentrated with notes of ripe lemons, dry fudge, minerals and warm grass. Long and very fine. Did anyone spot this as a non USA Chard..., well no.
92p   (tasted 2021/11)



2019 Santa Cruz Mountains Trout Gulch Vineyard Chardonnay, Arnot-Roberts
A tight, stony nose with notes of grass, iron, ripening lemons and a metallic scent.
The taste is cool and dry with notes of lemon cream, iron, sand and minerals. Very dry in the finish. Fine fruit in a anemic way. Needs time, 4+ years.
88p   (tasted 2021/11)




Flight III
2018 Seven Strings Vineyard Chardonnay, Walter Scott
A stony, herbal nose with notes of dried orange peel, chive, freshly washed clothes and spices. Very, very good.
The taste is cool and elegant with notes of sweet/sour lemons, almond paste, herbs and chalk. Tight and fine. 5+ years.
91p   (tasted 2021/11)



2011 Corton-Charlemagne, Henri Boillot
A fine, smoky nose with notes of grilled lemons, dry fudge, yellow apples and chrushed rocks. Deep and fine.
The taste is crisp and tight with notes of tangerines, grilled lemons, grass and minerals. A very fine acidity. Still on the young side of things. Nobody pegged this as a Burgundy...
91p   (tasted 2021/11)

2015 Sta Rita Hills Four Chardonnay, Liquid Farm
A beauty. A deep, taut, complex nose with notes of ripe oranges, smoke, butter cookies, fried scallops and almonds. Just lovely.
The taste is firm and focused with notes of oranges, grape, cap gun smoke, freshly cut grass and sweet minerals. Very long and distinct. Gorgeous now and gorgeous in 10 years.
95p   (tasted 2021/11)
    

2016 Santa Maria Bien Bien Chardonnay, Liquid Farm
A large scaled, tight nose with notes of grilled lemons, smoke, tangerines and wet earth. Very deep and fine.
The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of grilled lemons, orange juice, quince and sweet minerals. Very long. A tight, structured acidity. Not for the weak hearted.
93p   (tasted 2021/11)

2014 Horseshoe Vineyard Chardonnay, Rhys
A deep, open nose with notes of dried up orange jam, chalk, dry fudge and lots of sweet minerals. Very fine.
The taste is dry and tight with notes of dried oranges, gravel and chalk. Odd in a fascinating way. A high acidity. Stunning. 
93p   (tasted 2021/11)


Sunday 28 November 2021

A Barolo Dinner At La Vecchia Signora


After the 2015 Barolo Arborina tasting we all headed to La Vecchia Signora for a Barolo infused dinner with the best Piedmont food in Sweden.

2012 Barolo Gattera, Carlo Revello
A fine, perfumed nose with notes of meaty cherries, undergrowth, licorice and rosehips. Very, very good.
The taste is upfront and finely textured with somewhat mature fruit, silky tannins and a long, warm finish. 3+ years.
90p   (tasted 2021/11)


2012 Barolo Conca, Carlo Revello
A deep, focused nose with notes of hard cherry candy, licorice, bay leaves and earth. Open and fine.
The taste is seedy and tight with notes of dried cherries, violets, iron and dried flowers. A fine warmth in the long finish. 5+ years.
92p   (tasted 2021/11)

2004 Barolo Vigna Conca, Fratelli Revello
By pure coincedence I brought the 8 year older version of Conca, from the time when the brothers had the estate together. Bought from the estate when visiting in 2008.
The nose is somewhat mature and velvety with notes of undergrowth, dried cherries, Christmas spices and asphalt. Very, very good.
The taste is deep and fine with mature cherry fruit and additional notes of red licorice, forest floor and asphalt. For drinking now and the coming 6+ years.
91p   (tasted 2021/11)



2015 Barolo Riserva del Fico, E Molino
The nose is deep and seedy with notes of dried red fruits, sand, rosehips and salt licorice. Very, very good.
The taste is tight and focused with fine red fruits and notes of earth, licorice, salt minerals and fir. A long, dry finish. 6+ years.
88p   (tasted 2021/11)

2006 Barolo Riserva Granbussia, Aldo Conterno
Ooooh yes! Tasted 6 years ago and then I thought it would be perfect now. Still young. The nose is bottomless deep with gorgeous notes of dried cherries, asphalt, mushrooms and a hint of mint. Stunningly gorgeous.
The taste is as much an iron fist in a velvet glove as six years ago with an added hint of maturity, but this stunning creature will go on for 20 years. Soooo fine!
97p   (tasted 2021/11)




2006 Barolo Vigna Rionda, Roagna
A high, intense nose with notes of sweet/sour cherries, iron, shoe polish and forest floor. A lovely structure. Still young.
The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of hard cherry candy, iron, rosehips and dried herbs. Very long with silky yet taut, polished tannins. Needs time.
94p   (tasted 2021/11)

2016 Barolo Paiagallo, Casa E. di Mirafiore
An open, fresh nose with notes of red currants, rosehips, earth and dry licorice. Very, very good.
The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of ripening raspberries, asphalt, rosehips and minerals. Needs time. 8+ years.
89p   (tasted 2021/11)




Saturday 27 November 2021

2004 Barolo Vigna Gattera, Fratelli Revello


2004 Barolo Vigna Gattera, Fratelli Revello
I recently drank the 2004 Vigna Conca from the Revello brothers with the 2012 Conca and Gattera from Carlo Revello on the table (notes soon to be posted) so I thought it would be a good time to open the 04 Gattera for comparison.
Glad I did, for this is drinking beautifully right now, with an open, mature nose with notes of forest floor, muscovado sugared dusted ripe cherries, sun warm asphalt, old leather and fried herbs. Very fine.
The taste is forward and velvety with notes of dried cherries, forest floor, raspberry licorice and earth. Very, very good. Very long with a fine warmth. Bought at the estate in 2008.
92p   (tasted 2021/11)


Tuesday 23 November 2021

Some Chianti´s Of Late


2018 Chianti Classico, Poggerino
A light, enjoyable nose with notes of sour cherries, tiles, dried herbs and cheap tobacco. Very good.
The taste is medium bodied with notes of sweet/sour cherries, dry chocolate biscuits, earth and dried herbs. Light and accessible. Good value for 20 Euro.
87p   (tasted 2021/11)



2016 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Ruspoli, Tenuta Lilliano
A deep, distinct nose with lovely aromas of dark cherries, forest floor, violets, sandel wood, bonfire smoke and expensive leather. Very fine.
The taste is silky and concentrated with notes of hard cherry candy, warm sand, bay leaves, violets and fine tobacco. Very long with polished tannins. 6+ years. A great buy at 40 Euro.
94p   (tasted 2021/11)

2018 Chianti Classico. Lamole di Lamole
A finely tuned, classic nose with notes of sweet/sour cherries, mahogny, rosemary, tobacco and wet leaves. Young, upfront and yummy.
The taste is high and tight with notes of fresh cherries, rosemary, tobacco and Tuscan gravel. Not heaps of complexity but very gulpable. A fine dry finish. Very fine. A real bargain at 15 Euro. 
90p   (tasted 2021/11)



2018 Chianti Classico Vigna Doghessa, Casanuova di Nittardi
A fine, cool nose with notes of smoky cherry fruit, violets, shoe polish, asphalt and fresh rosemary. High and fine. Very, very good.
The taste is dry and fine with notes of dry tobacco, hard cherry candy, violets and forest floor. Silky tannins. Very fine. 5+ years. Great buy at 22 Euro.
91p   (tasted 2021/11)