Friday 29 April 2022

2018 Langhe Nebbiolo La Chiusa, Chionetti


2018 Langhe Nebbiolo La Chiusa, Chionetti
This is not your flirty kind of Langhe Nebbiolo. Instead it is deep, restrained and tight with fine notes of red currants, dried strawberries, earth, rosehips and dry licorice. Very, very good.
The taste is young and seedy with notes of hard cherry candy, rosehips, asphalt and dry tobacco. Strict. Not a charmer at this stage but shows a fine potential. Has closed up since last year.
90p   (tasted 2022/04)

Monday 25 April 2022

Three Times 2016 Barbaresco Starderi


2016 Barbaresco Starderi, Renato Fenocchio
A handsome, elegant nose with notes of red currants, dry licorice, roses and forest floor. Very fine.
The taste is floral and focused with notes of rosehips, red currants, dried strawberries and chrushed rocks. Silky tannins. Long. 6+ years.
93p   (tasted 2022/04

2016 Barbaresco Starderi, Icardi
A big, forward nose with initally some new oak, which on day two was nicely integrated, with additonal notes of hard cherry candy, coffee powder, tobacco and smoke. Very deep.
The taste is tight and structured with notes of cherry chocolate, tobacco, bonfire and earth. Long and distinct. Some oak in the end of the finish, which wasn´t noticable on day two. 8+ years. 
91p   (tasted 2022/04)

2016 Barbaresco Starderi, Traversa
A deep, old fashioned, earthy nose with notes of dried raspberries, root vegetables, old tobacco and a hint of VA, in a positive way. Very fine.
The taste doesn´t apologize and shows a multi layered profile with notes of dried cherries, undergrowth, dog fur, old leather and red beets. Brilliant tannins. Really fine. 6+ years.
94p   (tasted 2022/04)


Saturday 23 April 2022

Another Day - Another Bordeaux - 2006 Château Marojallia


2006 Marojallia
In 2006 just known as Marojallia, now it is Château Marojallia, located in Margaux. The first garage wine of Medoc, just 2,5 ha when the first vintage was relesead in 1999. Owned by Philippe Porcheron, the first vintages was aided by Jean-Luc Thunevin and Murielle Andraud.

The nose soars up from the glass with fine notes of plums, ripe black currants, expensive tobacco, ink and warm hay. Handsome and very fine.
The taste is tight, perky and impressive with notes of ripe black currants, coffee with milk, tiles and leather. The finish is long and finely balanced. Great wine. 5+ years.
94p   (tasted 2022/04)


Friday 22 April 2022

Drinking Tonight - 1996 Virginie de Valandraud


1996 Virginie de Valandraud
Jean-Luc Thunevin debuted with the 1991 vintage. My kind of guy, he used 200% new oak for the Grand Vin in the 90´s. How much oak that was used for this, the second wine, I don´t know. 
The nose offers up a deep, semi mature nose with notes of plums, pipe tobacco, charcoal and dark flowers. Very, very good. Some low keyed expensive oak notes in the background.
The taste is a tad monolithic but the fruit is dense and sweet with notes of plums, bonfire smoke, ink and tobacco. Long with a fine warmth and a silky dryness in the finish. Sadly my only bottle, this could go on for another 8+ years.
90p   (tasted 2002/04)

Wednesday 20 April 2022

2004 Barolo - 5 Producers & 18 Bottles

Oxcheeks & Barolo

A couple of weeks ago, S invited to a tasting. Little did we know that it would be great expose over the 2004 vintage in Barolo, seen through 5 producer.

Upon arrivel I really liked the 04 vintage and the Barolo Boys were in Langhe in 2008 tasting and buying. I did however (and still do) think that the 2001 (and maybe the 2008) vintage is superior. Over time I have been less sure of the 04 as a fine vintage with bottles that really haven´t been as good as I remembered. 

But after this evening I am yet a believer  :-) These wines performed really well and for the most part was nowhere near maturity.
All wines tasted double blind.

Renato Ratti
2004 Barolo Conca
The only corked bottle but still #¤#%¤#"!!
No rating   (tasted 2022/04)

2004 Barolo Marcenasco
A warm, somewhat evolved nose with notes of mushrooms, licorice and chocolate biscuits. Round and good.
The taste is lush and fine with soft tannins and warm fruit. A long, nice finish. Way back in time, between 1965 (first vintage) and 1969, this was a single vineyard Barolo (from Conca) but is since 1970 a blend.
87p   (tasted 2022/04)


2004 Barolo Rocche dell´Annunziata
A deep, taut nose with notes of ripe red cherries, licorice, smoke and a hint of mint. Finely perfumed. A hint of maturity. Very, very good.
The taste is tight and fine with notes of red cherries, asphalt and rosehips. Silky tannins. Long. 4+ years.
90p   (tasted 2022/04)


Marengo
2004 Barolo
A fine, round nose with notes of dark strawberries, earth and sun warm asphalt. A very fine sweetness to the fruit.
The taste is dry and fine with notes of dried strawberries, dried flowers and forest floor. Almost fully mature. Very, very good.
90p   (tasted 2022/04)

2004 Barolo Bricco Viole
A deep, lovely nose with notes of roses, juniper berries, violets (!) and red cherries. Very fine.
The taste is silky and structured with notes of iron, rowan berries, dried flowers and rosehips. Long. 4+ years.
92p   (tasted 2022/04)


2004 Barolo Brunate
A very deep, almost meaty nose with notes of wet cement, ripe cherries, asphalt and rosehips en masse. Very fine.
The taste is broad and tight with lots of ripe red berries, fresh tannins and a long, stern finish. Needs 6+ years. 
93p   (tasted 2022/04)

2004 Barolo Riserva Vecchia Vigna della Brunate
The first vintage of the Brunate Riserva, and its a gorgeous creature. A wonderful, floral, complex nose with notes of iron, ripe red cherries, forest floor and rosehips. Very, very deep.
The taste is massive yet tight and elegant with notes of dried strawberries, earth, iron, asphalt and dried mushrooms. The finish goes on for minutes. 4+ years.
96p   (tasted 2022/04)



Azelia
2004 Barolo
A tight, structured nose with notes of sage, dark cherries and salt licorice. Very, very good.
The taste is seedy and concentrated with notes of hard cherry candy, cherry licorice, tiles and rosehips. Very long. Very fine for a Normale. 5+ years.
92p   (tasted 2022/04)

2004 Barolo Margheria
The Margheria offers up a high, earthy nose with notes of violets en masse, bakelite and ripe strawberries. Just lovely.
The taste is taut and fine with notes of sandelwood, violets, dried cherries and asphalt. Very fine tannins. Great wine. 6+ years.
94p   (tasted 2022/04)



2004 Barolo Bricco Fiasco
A stunner. The nose is bottomless deep and hauntingly beautiful with notes of ripe black cherries, black tea, red lacquer and asphalt. Gorgeous.
The taste is seamless and very, very long with everything, except maturity, in place. Just wait 8+ year and this will be a candidate for perfection. 
96p   (tasted 2022/04)

2004 Barolo San Rocco
Tighter and more withdrawn than the Bricco Fiasco. A very deep, structured nose with black fruit, iron and chrushed rocks. Even with time in the glass this will not budge right now.
The taste is firm and focused with lots of taut tannins and locked in fruit. This needs plenty of time in the cellar, 10+ years.
93p   (tasted 2022/04)


Vietti
2004 Barolo Castiglione
A very deep, open nose with notes of ripe strawberries, earth and rosehips. Very, very good.
The taste is more structured with notes of salmiak, rosehips, dried flowers and asphalt. Long and fine. 4+ years.
92p   (tasted 2022/04)

2004 Barolo Rocche
A very refined, laid back nose with notes of a shady forest, red cherries, dark cookies and hints of charcoal. Very fine.
The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of smoke, ripe cherries, dry licorice and warm gravel. Very long and finely tuned. 7+ years.
94p   (tasted 2022/04)


2004 Barolo Brunate
A lovely nose with notes of sandelwood, sweet cherries, asphalt and rosehips. Very deep. 
The taste is young and focused with notes of ripe cherries, cold coffee, sandelwood and licorice. Very, very long. Silky tannins. 6+ years.
94p   (tasted 2022/04)

2004 Barolo Lazzarito
The Lazzarito oozes up from the glass with stunning notes of smoke, dried up cherry jam, dark flowers and sun warm asphalt. Fantastic. 
The taste is taut and multi layered with notes of hard cherry candy, bonfire smoke, asphalt and rosehips. Lots of tannins but the fruit takes care of them. Really, really fine. 7+ years.
95p   (tasted 2022/04)



Cavallotto
2004 Barolo Bricco Boschis
A deep, intricate nose with notes of ripe cherries, shoe polish, tobacco, cold coffee and lots of roses. Very fine.
The taste is racy and refined with notes of warm tiles, cherry licorice, tobacco and forest floor. Balanced and fine. Silky tannins. Long. 5+ years.
93p   (tasted 2022/04)

2004 Barolo Riserva Vignolo
Pure, deep and elegant, the nose flows up from the glass. Gorgeous fruit. Multilayered. Very fine.
The taste is brilliant with fruit, tannins, acidity and structure in lovely harmony. Just wait 7+ years.
95p   (tasted 2022/04)



2004 Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe
Why not save the best for last? The nose oozes up from the glass with stunning notes of rose petals, iron, dried strawberries, earth and tiles. Seamless. Beautiful.
The taste just got it all - fruit, tannins, acidity in a almost perfect mix. Just wait 8+ years to add the complexity of maturity. Really great juice.
97p   (tasted 2022/04)

Tuesday 19 April 2022

A Bottle Of Bubbly - 2012 Extra Brut, Bruno Paillard


2012 Extra Brut, Bruno Paillard
This 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay blend offers up a bready nose with fine notes of dry caramel, freshly washed clothes drying in the wind, ginger and chrushed rocks. Salivating.
The taste is creamy and fine with notes of oranges, dry fudge, lemon cream and sweet minerals. A fine acidity. 6+ years.
91p   (tasted 2022/04)

Thursday 14 April 2022

Another Notch In The Belt - 2012 Barolo Scarrone Vigna Mandorlo, Fratelli Giacosa


2012 Barolo Scarrone Vigna Mandorlo, Fratelli Giacosa
There are 170 MGA´s (Menzioni Geografiche Agguintive) in Barolo. 26 are not labelled as an MGA.  144 are. I have with this bottle tasted 109 different MGA´s. 35 to go!
Scarrone is a 20,55 ha large MGA in Castiglione Falletto. There are only three producers who makes a Scarrone - Bava, Oddero and Fratelli Giacosa.

The nose is low keyed yet distinct with notes of rowan berries, iron, dried flowers and gravel. Very good in a ascetic way.
The taste is dry and stern in a old fashioned way where earth/rocks are in the forefront rather the fruit. Dry licorice, chrushed rocks, bakelite and shoe polish are noticeable. Long and dry.
87p   (tasted 2022/04)

Wednesday 13 April 2022

2018 Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap


2018 Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap
Big, bold and beautiful, this Cabernet flows up from the glass with notes of ripe black currants, graphite, plums and dark chocolate. Lovely.
The taste is rich and velvety with notes of hard black currant candy, warm tiles, iron and smoke. Long and tight. Juicy fruit. 8+ years. A tasting sample from Vinunic.
93p   (tasted 2022/04)

Tuesday 12 April 2022

Three Times Chianti

2019 Chianti Classico, Riecine
A low keyed, elegant nose with notes of hard cherry candy, Falu red paint and a wet forest. Very, very good.
The taste is young and perky with notes of fresh herbs, ripening cherries and some ink. Silky tannins. 4+ years.
88p   (tasted 2022/03)


2008 Chianti Classico Riserva Vigna Castello di Lamole, Le Stinche
A very deep, herbal nose with notes of ripe red cherries, tobacco, sun warm rocks and a hint of cinnamon. Very fine.
The taste is tight and classic Sangiovese with notes of ripe cherries, Tuscan gravel, rosemary and minerals. Finely balanced. Long and lingering. 6+ years.
92p   (tasted 2022/03)

2017 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Castello Fonterutoli, Mazzei
A gorgeous, classy nose with notes of sweet/sour cherries, sun warm tiles, Tuscab gravel, juniper berries and mahogany. Very deep. Really fine.
The taste is cool and refined with potent, silky tannins and lovely cherry fruit. Aristocratic. Needs 6+ years to really open up. This has a great potential.
94p   (tasted 2022/03)


Sunday 10 April 2022

1993 Chianti Rufina Montesodi, Marchesi di Frescobaldi


1993 Chianti Rufina Montesodi, Marchesi di Frescobaldi
One more nice -93 opened. Somewhat restrined at first but soon opened up with fine notes of undergrowth, dried cherries, dry leather and hints of cooked strawberries. Finely matured. Very good.
The taste is mature, dry and warm with notes of dried cherries, tobacco, old leather and dried herbs. Velvety and fine.
87p   (tasted 2022/04)

Thursday 7 April 2022

A Bottle Of Bubbly - 2012 Millésime, Henriot


2012 Millésime, Henriot
54% Chardonnay, 46% Pinot Noir. The nose is deep and bready with notes of yellow flowers, dark fudge, sun warm rocks and almond paste. Very, very good.
The taste is creamy and cool with fine yellow fruit, a salivating acidity and a long, salty finish. Highly gulpable but lacking a bit in the complexity department for the price tag.
90p   (tasted 2022/04)


Tuesday 5 April 2022

1992 Chateau Fourcas Hosten


1992 Chateau Fourcas Hosten
This dependable Listrac has produced a light, easy going 1992. A luncheon claret, to quote Michael Broadbent. The nose is round and mature with notes of dried black currants, hints of barnyard, dry leather and charcoal. Very good.
The taste is slender and dry with notes of tobacco, cold coffee and red currants. Medium bodied, mature and very good.
86p   (tasted 2022/03)

Saturday 2 April 2022

The Barolo Boys In Piedmont - Visit To Roccheviberti


The Barolo Boys soldiers on. Next up, a long-awaited revisit to Roccheviberti. I visited Claudio in August of 2019 - Barolista: A Couple Of Days in Piedmont - Visits To Roccheviberti & Monchiero.

2019 Barbera d´Alba Superiore Vigna Lunga
From the Bricco Boschis vineyard. A deep, spicy, warm nose with notes of ripe raspberries, tobacco and scorched earth. Very fine. Lovely fruit.
The taste is full bodied and finely concentrated with notes of ripe raspberries, Finnish licorice, fresh herbs and hot earth. A very fine acidity. This is a fine old vine Barbera.
92p   (tasted 2022/01)



2020 Dolcetto d´Alba Vigna Melera
A fine, elegant nose with notes of blueberries, iron, chrushed rocks and dried herbs. Very, very good.
The taste is light and fine with polished tannins, fine blueberry fruit and a good length. 
89p   (tasted 2022/01)

2020 Dolcetto d´Alba, Philine Isabelle
We also got to taste this Dolcetto. A seedy, gravelly nose with notes of blueberries, smoke and dry asphalt. Very good.
The taste is spicy and stony with good blueberry fruit, good tannins and a juicy finish. A good structure.
85p   (tasted 2022/01)

2020 Langhe Nebbiolo
An open, fresh nose with notes of dry licorice, violets, asphalt and rosehips. A fine sweetness to the fruit.
The taste is tight and focused with notes of licorice, dark spices, ripe cherries and cool tobacco. Silky tannins. Very, very good.
91p   (tasted 2022/01)

The new bottle design... :-)

2018 Barolo del Commune Castiglione Falletto Vecchie Viti
A handsome, old viney nose with notes of dried cherries, toasted hazelnuts, mushrooms and rosehips. Very fine.
The taste is deep and pure with notes of rosehips, hard cherry candy, licorice and black earth. Very long and fine. 6+ years.
93p   (tasted 2022/01)




2018 Barolo Bricco Boschis
A elegant, smoky nose with notes of ripe red cherries, rosehips, spices and dusty earth. Very fine.
The taste is tight and refined with potent tannins, fresh cherry fruit and a long, distinct finish. Needs time, 8+ years.
92p   (tasted 2022/01)

2017 Barolo del Commune Castiglione Falletto Vecchie Viti
An open, warm and spicy nose with notes of dried up cherry jam, tobacco, Finnish licorice and lots of rosheips.
The taste is large and luscious with notes of ripe cherries, raspberry licorice, tobacco and undergrowth. A fine warmth in the finish. For early drinking. 4+ years.
91p   (tasted 2022/01)

(2017) Sondé
The vintage doesn´t appear on the label due to regulations. Only made in 600 magnums. No Barolo from Bricco Boschis in 2017 so this was made instead. No sulfites at bottling.
The nose is open and rather light but in a nice way, with notes of red currants, gravel, some flowery aromas and assorted spices. Very, very good.
The taste is dry and balanced with notes of damsons, dry cherries, bakelite and dry tobacco. Medium bodied. A fine, cool finish.
88p   (tasted 2022/01)




2017 Langhe Nebbiolo
When the (real) Barolo Boys visits its not unusual that winemakers gets excited and start opening additional bottles. We like that :-)
This 2017 Langhe Nebbiolo has become a beauty with a few years of bottle age. The nose is pure and balanced with notes of red cherries, ripe flowers, dry tobacco and violets. Very fine.
The taste is tight and elegant with notes of wild strawberries, spices, tobacco and a hint of mint. Long finish with silky tannins. I gotta start buying more Langhe Nebbiolo to age!
92p   (tasted 2022/01)

2015 Barolo Bricco Boschis
A deep, meaty, fantastic nose with notes of ripe cherries, spices, furniture polish and tobacco. Very handsome. Great wine.
The taste is tight and focused that needs time to show of its great sweet/sour cherry fruit. Very long with taut tannins. Layers upon layers. 8+ years.
95p   (tasted 2022/01)