A Bottle Of Bubbly - NV Chalky Brut, André Clouet

NV Chalky Brut, André Clouet

This Blanc de Blancs displays a steely, chalky (!) nose with notes of chives, lime, oyster shells and grapefruit. High and luscious.

The taste is young, tight and crisp with notes of lime juice, chrushed rocks and sweet minerals. A very fine cleansing acidity. Probably the best version of this wine I have tasted.

A tasting sample from WineWorld.

93p   (tasted 2025/10)

A Beautiful, Bargain Oregon Pinot

2022 Lone Oak Ranch Pinot Noir, Purple Hands

How many will I buy? That was my first gut thought after tasting this gem. Since my better half occasionally read this blog, I will not tell...

The nose soars up from the glass with notes of dried meat, dried strawberries, moist earth and incense. Like a hedonistic Burgundy from the 40´s.

The taste is racy and forward with silky, salivating fruit, a fine acidity and a long, layered finish. For 36 Euro this a true bargain.

Thanks Divine for the possibilty to taste.

93p   (tasted 2025/09)

Eating & Drinking In Piedmont

I go to Langhe for the wines and the winemakers, but the food is almost as important. I love the traditional food of this area - carne cruda, vitello tonnato, plin, tajarin, coniglio and much, much more. 

Here are some notes from the restaurants I visited on my latest trip in September 2025.

La Gemella - Locanda La Gemella

My first visit to this restaurant, located in Barolo, in the square when you arrive in Barolo either from Castiglione Falletto or Monforte d´Alba.

The food was very nice, I would definitely recommend a visit.

2022 Langhe Nas-Cëtta, Mauro Marengo

A cool, low keyed nose with notes of grass, white pepper and birch leaves.

The taste is light and fresh but a tad anonymous with notes of ripening peach, grass and spices.

85p   (tasted 2025/09)

2015 Barolo Bric dël Fiasc, Paolo Scavino

A deep, warm nose with a hint of maturity and notes of warm tiles, dried black cherries, charcoal, leather and a whiff of mint. Opens up nicely and becomes more perfumed and layered with air.

The taste is nicely structured with taut tannins, lots of black fruits, notes of dark incense, leather and scorched earth. 5+ years.

93p   (tasted 2025/09)

Centro Storico

You always visit Ciccio when you are in Langhe, that goes without saying. I have been eating and drinking here for almost 20 years and it is always a treat.

NV Brut, Ernest Remy

This 100% Pinot Noir, a choice by Ciccio, offers up a deep, flowery nose with notes of autumn apples, almond paste and the scent of a Swedish late summer evening. Very, very good.

The taste is fresh and spicy with notes of red apples, dried flowers and thai basil. A very good acidity.

91p   (tasted 2025/09)

2023 Dolcetto d´Alba, Cascina Fontana

A handsome, balanced nose with notes of balsa wood, blueberries, herbs and Langhe earth. Lovely.

The taste is elegant and nicely balanced with crisp tannins and a fine mouthfeel. 6+ years. Also a Ciccio choice!

91p   (tasted 2025/09)

Langotto

Langotto is located in Il Grecale´s previous premises (which the Barolo Boys have visited on several occasions) in Novello. The chef has worked in France and there is a French-Italian touch that is displayed on the plates. Lovely food and service, I will be back.

2021 Il Rosato, Cantina Nervi

Roberto´s Rosé shows of a fresh, open nose with notes of rhubarbs, blood grape and a whiff of smoke.

The taste is fresh and juicy with a fine acidity and lots of sweet citrus fruits. Very, very good.

88p   (tasted 2025/09)

2016 Barolo Bricco San Pietro, Ruggeri Corsini

A deep, smoky nose with gorgeous notes of dried cherries, rosehips, black tea and shoe polish. A lot of violets with air. Complex and fine.

The taste is structured and fine with a hint of maturity and notes of dried cherries, asphalt, smoke and licorice. Very long.

92p   (tasted 2025/09)

2016 Barolo Riserva Coste di Rose, Bric Cenciurio

A tight, concentrated nose with notes of tapenade, black flowers, asphalt, tiles and warm Langhe earth. Beautiful.

The taste is very handsome, rich and focused with gorgeous black fruit, silky tannins, a taut structure and a lenght that is counted in minutes. Still young, this beauty needs another 7+ years.

95p   (tasted 2025/09)

Osteria Veglio

Oh dear. My second favourite restaurant in Langhe (see previous visits below) - the untouchable number one is of course La Coccinella in Serravalle. 

I always look forward to a visit here, only to get let down this time. I hope it is a one time thing.

I have always loved the carne cruda here, but this time is was refrigerator cold and bland. The plin, which always have been the best in Langhe, was cooked a minute or two too long, the taste was the same but vitality wasn´t there. 

I had lunch on a beautiful early September Saturday, the veranda outside was crowded with people, maybe a tad much so, and maybe an explanation to my experience.

2022 Barbera d´Alba, Bartolo Mascarello

But the wine was good! A nicely perfumed nose with notes of ripe flowers, Finnish licorice, autumn earth and smoke. Very fine.

The taste is tight and finely built around a sweet raspberry fruit, a very fine acidity and a long, long, warm finish. A fine note of salmiak. Lovely.

93p   (tasted 2025/09)

Some previous visits to Osteria Veglio:

https://barolista.blogspot.com/2023/03/food-wine-in-piedmont.html

https://barolista.blogspot.com/2023/01/eating-drinking-in-piedmont-2022.html

https://barolista.blogspot.com/2019/08/eating-drinking-in-piedmont-impressions.html

https://barolista.blogspot.com/2019/04/the-barolo-boys-in-piedmont-eating.html

https://barolista.blogspot.com/2017/11/lunches-dinners-in-piedmont-part-one.html

A Bottle Of Bubbly - NV Pureté Brut Nature 1er Cru, Champagne Geoffroy

NV Pureté Brut Nature 1er Cru, Champagne Geoffroy

35% Pinot Noir, 35% Pinot Meunier and 30% Chardonnay. This zero dosage bubbly offers up a crisp, smoky nose with notes of assorted spices, yellow apples and chalk. Very fine.

The taste is fresh and elegant with a very fine acidity, lovely yellow fruit and a long, creamy finish. 4+ years.

Thanks Quaffable Wines for the taste.

92p   (tasted 2025/10)

2021 Dogliani San Luigi, Marziano Abbona

2021 Dogliani San Luigi, Marziano Abbona

A young, seedy nose with notes of damsons, graphite, fir wood, shoe polish and bakelite. Forward and extrovert.

The taste is tight and structured with notes of licorice, dried blueberries, minerals and fir wood. Will need 5+ more years in the cellar.

Previously tasted three years ago - Barolista: Some Bottles Tasted At Divine.

91p   (tasted 2025/10)

A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - A Visit To San Biagio

Healthy grapes in the San Biagio vineyard

When Barolista visits...

As on my previous visit to this lovely cantina - Barolista: A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - Visit To San Biagio - Tiziana took great care of me, with Leo as my canine companion for the tasting. 

I really like the wines this family make. 

Except for my previous visit I have also meet up with the family and tasted their wines at Grandi Langhe, both in 2024 and 2025:

Barolista: The Barolo Boys Does Grandi Langhe 2024

Barolista: The Barolo Boys Does Grandi Langhe 2025

2022 Langhe Nebbiolo Ad Majora

An open, light, red fruited nose with a direct charm.

The taste is fresh and forward with a juicy Nebbiolo character. For immediate drinking.

86p   (tasted 2025/09)

2021 Langhe Cabernet Sauvignon

The first vintage of this Cabernet from six years old vines. The nose is a touch feeble with earthy notes. I cant find any Caberbet characteristics.

The taste is medium bodied and tight with notes of assorted black fruit, some earth and tobacco. With more age on the vines, this could be interesting.

83p   (tasted 2025/09)

2019 Barbaresco Montersino

A beautiful Barbaresco. The nose is delicate and finely tuned with notes of red currants, smoke, licorice and dried roses.

The taste is silky and balanced with notes of red cherries, sand, smoke and forest floor. A fine salty note.

93p   (tasted 2025/09)

2020 Barolo Del Comune di La Morra

An open, spicy nose with notes of hard cherry candy, rosehips and leather. Very fine.

The taste is young and direct with silky tannins and sweet cherry fruit. A very fine lenght. 5+ years.

92p   (tasted 2025/09)

2019 Barolo Capalot

A deep, focused nose with notes of ripe cherries, fir wood, paint and a touch of menthol. Very fine.

The taste is rich and concentrated with taut tannins and notes of hard cherry candy, red licorice and smoke. Very long. 8+ years.

94p   (tasted 2025/09)

2019 Barolo Bricco San Biagio

A gorgeously expressive nose with notes of mature red apples, Finnish licorice and sun warm rocks. 

The taste is tight and focused with notes of dried up cherry jam, dried flowers and warm sand. Polished tannins. Lovely. 7+ years.

94p   (tasted 2025/09)

2019 Barolo Galina

Second vintage ever made of Galina. I tasted the 2018 last years and thought it to be a masterpiece. The -19 is even better! The nose soars up from the glass with stunning notes of wild roses, oranges, wild strawberries and asphalt. 

The taste is pure and intense with perfect fruit, perfect tannins and a minute long finish. Perfection in the making. 10+ years.

97p   (tasted 2025/09)

2018 Barolo Rochettevino

An open, herbal nose with notes of dried up strawberry jam, undergrowth, tobacco and rosehips. Very, very good.

The taste is nicely focused and tight with notes of ripe red cherries, cold coffee and spices. Long and fine. 6+ years.

92p   (tasted 2025/09)

2017 Barolo Sorano

A high, pure nose with notes of raspberries, smoke, Langhe earth and a very fine balsamic note. A very fine sweetness to the fruit.

The taste is rich and round with gorgeous black fruit, sandy tannins and finish that goes on and on. Sorry to say, this is the last vintage made of the Sorano.

93p   (tasted 2025/09)

2017 Barolo Riserva Bricco San Biagio

The Riserva comes from a central piece of the San Biagio vineyard. It spends three years in Slavonian oak barrels and then three years in bottle before release. The nose of the -17 is deep, broad and absolutely beautiful with notes of dried strawberries, moist earth, roses and a fine balsamic note.

The taste is open, rich and flowery with stunning fruit, silky tannins and a long, long, warm finish. Great wine. 6+ years.

96p   (tasted 2025/09)

2018 Barolo Riserva Bricco San Biagio

The -18 Riserva San Biagio is more structured than the -17, with fine notes of dried raspberries, red currants, Langhe earth and licorice. A lovely balance.

The taste is earthy and spicy with notes of wild raspberries, asphalt, coffee powder and ripe flowers. Very, very long. 8+ years. I tasted the - 19 at Grandi Langhe and that is, already, a masterpiece (97-98p).

94p   (tasted 2025/09)

2018 Alta Langa Riserva

To finish the tasting of - some bubbles! 100% Pinot Noir. The nose is juicy and forward with notes of raspberries, red apples and some blueberries tossed in. High and fine.

The taste is crisp and pure with a very fine acidity, lots of fine red fruit flavours and a long, elegant finish. Very, very good.

90p   (tasted 2025/09)

1997 Barolo, Podere Luigi Einaudi

1997 Barolo, Podere Luigi Einaudi

A delicate, lovely mature nose with notes of autumn leaves, coffee grounds, dried cherries and truffles. Very, very good.

The taste is dry and mature with notes of plums, violets, sugared coffee and licorice. A fine dried up sweetness to the fruit. On top of its game.

90p   (tasted 2025/10)

Fine Wines From Ministry of Clouds

Ministry of Clouds is owned and managed by "two control freaks" (their own words :-)), hence the name, as in Ministry (for control) and Clouds (for the illusion of control). 

Bernice Ong and Julian Forwood is the charming owners of this Australian estate whose first vintage was in 2013. Info here - Ministry of Clouds.

Thanks Quaffable Wines for the invite!

2024 Riesling

A young, racy nose with notes of white currants, steel, sweet lime and chrushed rocks.

The taste is tight and elegant with young, perky yellow fruit, a fine acidity and a pure, bitter finish. Will age gracefully. Released on the 3rd of October.

90p   (tasted 2025/10)

2021 Riesling

A flinty nose with notes of grey pears, birch leaves and grass. Very, very good.

The taste is steely and crisp with a very fine acidity, notes of ripening pears and gravel. Compared to the other vintages, a tad more facile.

88p   (tasted 2025/10)

2017 Riesling

My favourite. The nose is low keyed but very handsome with notes of lemon peel, smoke and pears. A fine dried up sweetness note.

The taste is cool and seedy with notes of sweet lime, quinine and hay. Very long and distinct.

92p   (tasted 2025/10)

2014 Riesling

A hint of maturity with notes of yellow apples, lemon peel and sun warm rocks. Very, very good.

The taste is dry and fine with notes of autumn leaves, yellow apples and dried lemons. Long and fine.

90p   (tasted 2025/10)

2021 Grenache Carignan

68% Grenache and 32% Carignan. The nose is open and red fruity with notes of rhubarb, licorice, wild raspberries and fresh herbs. Cool and fine.

The taste is silky, light and highly drinkable with notes of lavender, dried raspberries and tomatoe sauce. A very fine acidity.

90p   (tasted 2025/10)

2021 Grenache

A deep, spicy nose with notes of ripe raspberries, sun warm tiles and church incense. Lovely.

The taste is young and elegant with a very fine mouthfeel and notes of raspberries, licorice and fried herbs. High and pure. 

92p   (tasted 2025/10)

2021 Tempranillo Grenache

A fine, fruity nose with notes of warm gravel, a fine mix of red and black fruit and forest floor. Very, very good.

The taste is medium bodied and upfront with the same mix of red and black as on the nose. As with all their wines, highly drinkable but for me a tad anonymous.

89p   (tasted 2025/10)

2021 Shiraz

For 25 Euro this is, as a well known American wine critic used to put it, a no brainer! The nose is cool and layered with notes of burnt rubber in a distance, bluberries and a hint of black pepper. Gorgeous.

The taste is finely structured with polished tannins, beautiful black fruit and a long, silky finish. Drinkable today but probably even better in 5+ years. Load up the truck!

94p   (tasted 2025/10)

Two Fine Bottles Of Chardonnay

I tasted these two beauties recently at Divine - thanks!

2023 Clima Prio Chardonnay, Ojai

A pure, fresh nose with notes of lemon peel, almonds, warm grass and a candy (vita sockerbitar) from my childhood. Very fine.

The taste is cool and nicely structured with a very fine acidity and notes of birch leaves, dry caramel and lemon cream. 

91p   (tasted 2025/09)

2019 Durell Vineyard Chardonnay, Three Sticks

The -91 Durell is a stunner. The nose is high and focused with notes of spices, candied limes, matchbox and yellow flowers. Very fine.

The taste is tight and refined with a very fine warmth, a cleansing acidity, a whiff of oak and a long, long finish. 5+ years.

94p   (tasted 2025/09)

2018 Chianti Classico Riserva, Monte Bernardi

2018 Chianti Classico Riserva, Monte Bernardi

A cool, elegant nose with a hint of maturity and lovely notes of dried flowers, polished mahogany, cherry licorice, cigarette smoke and Tuscan gravel. A nice complexity.

The taste is dry and balanced with a very fine mouthfeel and notes of dried herbs, cherry pips, gravel and tobacco. 

Much better and more harmonious than three years ago - Barolista: 2018 Chianti Classico Riserva From Monte Bernardi Times Two.

92p   (tasted 2025/09)

A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - A Visit To Batasiolo

Batasiolo is the largest family owned winery in Langhe. They produce 2,5 million bottles per year, of which a whopping 500.000 bottles are Baroli.

I´ll admit that I had a preconcieved notion that a so large producer could not make really fine wines. But Batasioli proved me wrong, especially when in comes to the Baroli.

Thanks to Alberto who showed me the winery and poured these nice wines.

2022 Metodo Classico Rosé

A nice, low keyed nose with notes of red apples, red grapefruit and some toasted bread.

The taste is creamy and fine with good fruit and long finish. The acidity is a tad harsh.

86p   (tasted 2025/09)

2024 Roero Arneis Soulmarino

A fine, spicy nose with notes of yellow plums, lemon peel and white pepper.

The taste is short but cool and fine with notes of ripening peach, lemons and spices. 

84p   (tasted 2025/09)

2024 Langhe Bianco Sunsi

A blend of 65% Chardonnay and 35% Sauvignon Blanc. The nose showes more signs of Sauvignon Blanc than Chardonnay, in the shape of grass, elderberries and white peach.

The taste is cool and fine with a nice lemon fruit, a good acidity and a medium long finish.

87p   (tasted 2025/09)

2023 Barbera d´Alba Sovrana

A fine, spicy nose with notes of raspberries, tobacco and earth. A fine warmth.

The taste is earthy and warm with notes of ripe raspberries, violets and fir wood. 

87p   (tasted 2025/09)

2021 Langhe Rosso Bat 21

A blend of 60% Nebbiolo and 40% Barbera. The nose is deep and herbal with notes of dried up cherry jam, licorice and leather. Very good.

The taste is tight and fine with notes of cooked cherries, licorice and Langhe earth. Soft tannins.

87p   (tasted 2025/09)

2023 Langhe Nebbiolo

A finely tuned, low keyed nose with notes of hard cherry candy, licorice and rhubarb. Very, very good.

The taste is dry and fine with notes of salt licorice, red cherries and earth. Silky tannins.

89p   (tasted 2025/09)

2021 Barbaresco

A handsome, silky nose with notes of rosehips, dried cherries and spices. Very, very good.

The taste is tight and fine with perky tannins, a very fine cherry and red currant fruit and a long, balanced finish. 4+ years.

91p   (tasted 2025/09)

2020 Barolo Beni

An open, ripe nose with notes of asphalt, violets and mature strawberry fruit. Dense and fine.

The taste is nicely concentrated with old school tannins, notes of dried strawberries and a taut finish. 7+ years.

91p   (tasted 2025/09)

2017 Barolo Riserva

The -17 Riserva displays a compact, warm nose with notes of cooked red fruit, undergrowth and paint. Very, very good.

The taste is tight and herbal with notes of fir wood, dried up cherry jam and asphalt. The tannins are a tad on the dry side. Drink now.

88p   (tasted 2025/09)

2012 Barolo Riserva Briccolina

A deep, complex nose with notes of black cherries, asphalt, furniture polish and dried flowers. Gorgeous.

The taste is layered and lovely with notes of dark bread, ripe cherries, rosehips and Langhe earth. The finish goes on and on. Still on the young side of things, 5+ years.

94p   (tasted 2025/09)