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)

Three Bottles Of Bubbly

These were popped at M:s 60th birthday bash. Tasted double blind.

2008 Special Club, Paul Bara

100% Pinot Noir and 8 gr dosage. The nose is stony and deep with notes of red apple skin, birch leaves, candied peaches and a hint of fudge. Very fine.

The taste is creamy and rich with gorgeous fruit, a cleansing acidity and a long, lingering finish. Hints of maturity.

93p   (tasted 2025/09)

2014 Les Grandes Crayères, Laherte Frères

100% Chardonnay & 4 gr dosage. A very elegant, steely nose with notes of lime, chrushed rocks and freshly washed clothes. Crisp and fine.

The taste is tight and pure with notes of lemon peel, ginger and lots of sweet minerals. Very fine.

92p   (tasted 2025/09)

2014 Brut Nature Rosé Sablé, Aubry

A gorgeous, high nose with notes of tangerines, grapefruit, ripe flowers and sun warm gravel. Complex and very fine.

The taste is racy and refined with a perfect acidity, tight yellow fruit, lovely balanced and very, very long. This is a beautiful belnd of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier, Chardonnay, Arbanne and Petit Meslier.

94p   (tasted 2025/09)

A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - A Visit To Margherita Otto

It is always a treat to visit Alan. This time I tasted the wines below and picked up some bottles to bring home.

2023 Barolo Langhe Nebbiolo

A high, fine nose with notes of dried up strawberry jam, licorice and assorted spices. Very, very fine.

The taste is cool and finely tuned with a lovely Nebbiolo character, soft tannins and a long, warm finish.

90p   (tasted 2025/09)

2020 Barolo 

A tight, focused nose with notes of Langhe earth, red cherries, licorice and rosehips. Very fine.

The taste is balanced and utterly gorgeous with notes of ripe cherries, sweet minerals, licorice and spices. Very long. 7+ years.

93p   (tasted 2025/09)

2021 Barolo

A restrained, layered nose with notes of dried roses, hard cherry candy, ink and dry licorice. 

The taste is rich and concentrated with chewable tannins, notes of hard cherry candy, licorice and earth. Very long. 10+ years.

Alan prefer his -20 compared to his -21. Today I agreee but in 8-10 years time? Looking forward to make the comparison in the future.

92p   (tasted 2025/09)

2021 La-La Wines & More From Guigal

I was invited by Wine Affair to taste the latest vintage of Guigal´s La-La wines - always a treat! The food at Copine was also a treat.

2023 Saint-Joseph Lieu-Dit Blanc, Guigal

A large scaled, gorgeous nose with notes of ripe flowers, peaches and lavender honey. Very deep.

The taste is concentrated and rich with sweet yellow fruit, a fine balance and a long, lingering finish. A very fine wine but a tad low in acidity for my palate. Already released.

92p   (tasted 2025/09)

2021 Hermitage, Guigal

No Ex Voto in 2021 so those grapes have gone in this wine. And what a wine! The nose is deep and peppery with notes of blackberries, dried meat, undergrowth and leather.

The taste is structured and inky with taut yet silky tannins, gorgeous black fruit and a long, peppery finish. 6+ years. Will be released 31/10.

94p   (tasted 2025/09)

2022 Saint-Joseph Lieu-Dit Rouge, Guigal

A deep, laid back nose with notes of dried flowers, violets, red bell pepper and chocolate biscuits.

The taste is warm and structured with violets en masse and additional notes of bakelite, pepper and dried flowers. Already released.

91p   (tasted 2025/09)

2021 Saint-Joseph Vignes de l`Hospice, Guigal

A lovely, meaty nose with notes of geranium, blackberries, red beets and mahogany. Very fine.

The taste is rich and concentrated with notes of blackberries, tobacco, leather and undergrowth. Very long. 6+ years. Released on the 19th of September.

93p   (tasted 2025/09)

2021 Côte-Rôtie Château d´Ampuis, Guigal

A deep, smoky nose with notes of ink, blackberries, leather and fir wood. Lovely.

The taste is balanced and refined with a very fine black fruit with a hint of green in it, a low keyed structure and a long poised finish. 5+ years. Released on the 19th of September.

93p   (tasted 2025/09)

2021 Côte-Rôtie La Mouline, Guigal

A very handsome, refined nose with notes of assorted red fruits, chrushed rocks, some flowery elements and violets. Rather low keyed but very fine.

The taste is cool and nicelyy structured with notes of ripening blueberries, damsons and a fine white pepper note. All La-La´s will be released on the 30/10.

94p   (tasted 2025/09)

2021 Côte-Rôtie La Turque, Guigal

I usually have la Mouline as my favourite when the three La-La´s are in front of me, but for the 2021 vintage La Turque is the shining star IMHO. The nose is dark and dense with gorgeous notes of cured meat, black flowers, scorched earth and a hint of dark chocolate. 

The taste is tight and inky with a cornucopia of black fruit, taut tannins and a minute long, layered finish. Great wine. 8+ years.

96p   (tasted 2025/09)

2021 Côte-Rôtie La Landonne, Guigal

The La Landonne is, as usual, more backward and towering, with notes of dried blueberries, bakelite, sun warm rocks and a hint of toothpaste.

The taste is rich, stern and structured with lots of ripening black fruit, broad shouldered tannins and a long, tight finish. 10+ years.

94p   (tasted 2025/09)

1994 Côte-Rôtie La Landonne, Guigal

Claes was ever so kind to bring two extra bottles. The 31 one year old La Landonne is a testament of Guigal´s ability to make great wines even in challenging year. The nose is round and mature with notes of dried flowers, dried up raspberry jam, cigarr smoke and forest floor. Very, very good.

The taste is medium bodied and dry with notes of tobacco, dried red fruit and a silky finish. Maybe a tad to dry on the finish but there is a fine warmth there.

Tasted 12 years ago - Barolista: Oh La La - Nine Vintages of La Landonne, Guigal - and then I thought it to be fully mature. These wines keeps.

90p   (tasted 2025/09)

2013 Hermitage Ex Voto, Guigal

The -13 Ex Voto is a beauty. The nose soars from the glass with notes of tobacco, ripe damsons, peppered meat and fresh stables. Very fine.

The taste is high and fine with lovely sweet fruit, silky tannins and a long, lingering finish. Very elegant. Hints of maturity but this will go on for 10+ years.

94p   (tasted 2025/09)

A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - A Visit To Paolo Giordano

It was a treat visiting this cantina. Ileana showed me the vineyards, the cellar (where we tasted the -23 and -24 Baroli from barrel) and poured an interesting line up. The vineyards have been in the family for a long time (see the bottle in the pic below) but Ileana and Paolo´s first vintage was 2018. They make ca 13.000 bottles from their 5 ha. 

2024 Barolo Perno

Tasted from barrel. The nose is light and elegant with notes of red currants, cement and violets. 

The taste is silky and fine with nibbling tannins and nice red fruit. Very, very good in this challeging vintage.

~89p   (tasted 2025/09)

2023 Barolo Perno

Tasted from barrel. The -23 Perno is deeper and more expressive on the nose with notes of red cherries, spices and Langhe earth.

The taste is structured and pure with taut tannins and a lovely cherry fruit. Very long.

~92p   (tasted 2025/09)

2024 Langhe Nebbiolo

A low keyed, cool nose with notes of licorice, dried cherries and earth.

The taste is dry and nicely balanced with notes of red currants, dried herbs and licorice. A tad short on the finish.

86p   (tasted 2025/09)

2023 Langhe Nebbiolo

A very handsome nose with notes of roses, red cherries and incense.

The taste is forward and fine with a fine cherry fruit, polished tannins and a long, warm finish.

90p   (tasted 2025/09)

2022 Langhe Nebbiolo

A laid back, elegant nose with notes of orange peel, dried flowers and cherries. Very, very good.

The taste is racy and pure with notes of hard cherry candy, licorice and rosehips. A very fine warmth. 

91p   (tasted 2025/09)

2022 Barolo Perno

A high, pure nose with notes of tiles, red currants, roses and licorice. Very handsome.

The taste is nicely focused with silky tannins, ripe red currants fruit and a long, layered finish. 6+ years.

93p   (tasted 2025/09)

2021 Barolo Perno

A deep, refined nose with notes of strawberries, paint, tobacco and Langhe earth. A very fine balsamic note.

The taste is tight and taut with broad tannins, gorgeous red fruit and a long, structured finish. 8+ years. 

93p   (tasted 2025/09)

2024 Dolcetto d´Alba

A light, slightly unfocused nose with notes of ripening blueberries, gravel and dry licorice.

The taste is dry and gentle with soft tannins and easy going red and black fruit. A tad short on the finish.

84p   (tasted 2025/09)

Five Bottles From Keller

M opened these fine Rieslings as a part of his 60´s birthday dinner. The rest of the bottles gets their own posts.

2021 Riesling -RR- Goldcap, Keller

A young, stony nose with notes of smoke, ripening pears, grass and some hints of petrol.

The taste is perky and fine with notes of steel, dried ginger and grass. The acidity is today a tad foursquare, this needs plenty of time.

88p   (tasted 2025/09)

2014 Scheurebe Kabinett, Keller

This wine defies aging. First tasted in 2016, it was naturally young and sprightly. Nine years later it still is. 

A young, fresh nose with notes of pear ice cream, chrushed minerals and lots of grapefruit. Very fine.

The taste is cool and refined with notes of tangerines, grapefruit and dry lime. A very fine acidity. 

Nine more years?

92p   (tasted 2025/09)

2018 Riesling RR Reserve Goldcap, Keller

The grapes comes from Kirschspiel. A deep, smoky nose with notes of white peach, lemon peel and lots of chalk. Lovely.

The taste is tight and perfumed with smoky yellow fruit, a perfect acidity and a long, lingering finish. Hints of maturity.

94p   (tasted 2025/09)

2012 Nierstein Riesling Kabinett -H-, Keller

A restrained, dry nose with notes of grass, wet cement and dried apricots. Very good but a tad anonymous.

The taste is still young with a fine acidity and notes of peach, pears and freshly cut grass. Better on the palate.

88p   (tasted 2025/09)

2012 Abtserde Riesling Spätlese Goldcap, Keller

A deep, refined nose with notes of cap gun smoke, orange peel, ripe peach and chrushed minerals. Just stunning.

The taste is silky and handsome with notes of band aid, candied lemons, smoke and dried peach. The finish is counted in minutes. A refreshing acidity. Great wine.

96p   (tasted 2025/09)

A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - A Visit To Oddero

My first visit to Oddero, great wines and Chiara was a charming host, will definitely be back.

2023 Monlià

A Timorasso to my liking. With a high, fresh acidity. The nose shows of notes of lemon peel, lots of gravel and cucumber. Pure and fine. 

The taste is sappy and pure with notes of lemon, grass and, again, a very good acidity. The first vintage from Oddero´s own grapes, a Colli Tortonesi D.O.C. Timorasso Derthona.

88p   (tasted 2025/09)

2023 Barbera d´Alba Superiore

An open, juicy nose with notes of ripe raspberries, Finnish licorice and fried herbs. A very fine warmth.

The taste is tight and spicy with lovely raspberry fruit, a very good structure and a cleansing acidity. Very fine.

92p   (tasted 2025/09)

2023 Langhe Nebbiolo

A cool, handsome nose with notes of cherries, leather, paint and Langhe earth. Very, very good.

The taste is seedy and fine with notes of hard cherry candy, earth and rosehips. Silky tannins.

90p   (tasted 2025/09)

2021 Barbaresco Gallina

A finely tuned, elegant nose with notes of red currants, licorice, dried flowers and a hint of tobacco. Lovely.

The taste is luscious and layered with notes of rosehips, red currants and shoe polish. Perfectly polished tannins. 6+ years.

94p   (tasted 2025/09)

2021 Barolo 

A deep, earthy nose with notes of strawberries, rosehips, bakelite and fresh flowers. Very fine.

The taste is young and tight with a fine focus, gorgeous red fruit and taut tannins. 6+ years.

92p   (tasted 2025/09)

2021 Barolo Villero

A rich, concentrated nose with notes of ripe cherries, asphalt, dried flowers and paint. Very, very deep.

The taste is high and intense with notes of hard cherry fruit, tar and dried flowers. Salivating, firm tannins. One for the ages, 10+ years.

94p   (tasted 2025/09)

2019 Barolo Riserva Bussia Vigna Mondoca

A testament to the stunning vintage of 2019 and Oddero´s wine making. The nose is bottomless deep with magnificent fruit in the shape of ripe red cherries, red apple skin, coffee powder and hints of tobacco. A very fine balsamic note.

The taste is rich, perfectly balanced and so, so deep, with notes of ripe cherries, expensive leather, roses and asphalt. The finish is counted in minutes. A candidate for perfection in 8+ years.

97p   (tasted 2025/09)

A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - A Visit To Erbaluna

My first visit to Erbaluna, or Azienda Agricola Erbaluna di Andre Oberto, which is the full name of the cantina. But I have tasted some mature bottles over the years, for example this - 1993 Barolo Vigna Rocche.

The cantina makes ca 70.000 bottles per year from 15 ha.

Samuela took great care of me, showed me the old cellar (see above) with bottles dating back to 1931 and from 1958 onwards a collection of every vintage (I thought it to be a good idea to open a bottle from The Greatest Vintage Ever, as everyone know is 1964, but to no avail :-))

Info here - Homepage - Erbaluna

2023 Dolcetto Le Liste

A very good, steely nose with notes of a mix of blue- and raspberries, ink and bakelite.

The taste is linear and fine with good fruit, fresh tannins and a medium long finish. 

87p   (tasted 2025/09)

2021 Barbera d´Alba Superiore La Rosina

The grapes comes from Rocche dell´Annunziata. A deep, light meaty nose with notes of dried raspberries, wet earth and licorice. Very, very good.

The taste is open and spicy with a very good, sweet raspberry fruit and a crisp acidity.

90p   (tasted 2025/09)

2022 Langhe Nebbiolo

This spend 6 months in wood. The nose is high and fine with notes of strawberries, spices, rosehips and a touch of menthol. 

The taste is young and sappy with silky tannins, a lovely red fruit note and a medium long finish. A fine drink now and the coming 6+ years.

91p   (tasted 2025/09)

2020 Barolo

An open, deep nose with notes of red cherries, almond paste, dried flowers and paint. Very fine.

The taste is nicely structured with polished tannins, a fine cherry fruit and a long, layered finish. 5+ years.

91p   (tasted 2025/09)

2018 Barolo Rocche dell´Annunziata

A deep, herbal nose with notes of ripe strawberries, leather, incense and earth. A lovely sweetness to the fruit.

The taste is finely balanced, luscious and sweet with notes of leather, herbs and wild strawberries. Very fine tannins. 5+ years.

94p   (tasted 2025/09)

2018 Barolo Arborina

Only 1.500 bottles made of this gorgeous Barolo. The nose is tighter than the Rocche with notes of forest floor, hard cherry candy and furniture polish. Very fine.

The taste is taut and elegant with balsamic cherry fruit, a fine intensity and a long, long finish. 7+ years.

93p   (tasted 2025/09)

2015 Barolo Castagni

A deep, dark nose with notes of asphalt, violets and ripe black cherries. A hint of toothpaste. Lovely.

The taste is rich and focused with notes of charcoal, dried cherries and fried herbs. A long, warm finish. 5+ years.

93p   (tasted 2025/09)

A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - A Visit To Massolino

I visited Franco three years ago - Barolista: A Couple Of Days in Piedmont - Visit To Massolino - and loved every minute, so it was time for a revisit. 

Franco is the perfect host - attentive, generous and fun. And the wines! You know that you can pick any bottle with the Massolino label - it will be great, whatever style you are looking for. A privilege to meet Franco and taste these stunning wines. 

I will be back!

2023 Langhe Riesling

A fresh, pure nose with nots of steel, chrushed rocks, maturing pears and some summer flowers.

The taste is crisp and spicy with lots of chrushed rocks, grey pears and a fine acidity. Very, very good.

88p   (tasted 2025/09)

2023 Langhe Chardonnay

An open, direct nose with notes of lemon cream, dry fudge, sun warm rocks and birch leaves. Complex and fine.

The taste is has a nice body to it with a supporting acidity and lots of ripe lemon fruit. Long and fine.

91p   (tasted 2025/09)

2024 Dolcetto d´Alba

An upfront, healthy nose with notes of blueberry bushes, damson and a fine iron scent.

The taste is light, pure and balanced with notes of blueberries, gravel and ink. 

87p   (tasted 2025/09)

2024 Barbera d´Alba

A solid, spicy nose with notes of ripening raspberries, earth and dry licorice.

The taste is light and nicely polished with notes of ripening raspberries and licorice. 

86p   (tasted 2025/09)

2023 Langhe Nebbiolo

A high, handsome nose with notes of ripe cherries, rosehips, shoe polish and forest floor. Very fine.

The taste is tight and refined with gorgeous red cherry fruit, silky tannins and a long, war, finish. The best Langhe Nebbiolo ever from Massolino IMHO.

93p   (tasted 2025/09)

2022 Barbera d´Alba Gisep

Named after Franco´s grandfather, Gisep is the Piedmontese version of Giuseppe. The grapes comes from three different vineyards in Serralunga which are 50+ years old. First vintage was the 1998.

The nose is a stunner, with deep, perfumed notes of raspberries, fried herbs, licorice and scorched earth. 

The taste is rich and concentrated with notes of leather, chocolate covered cherries and sun warm asphalt. The finish goes on and on and on.

94p   (tasted 2025/09)

2022 Barbaresco

Massolino have been making Barbarescoo since the 2019 vintage. The -22 offers up a fresh, earthy nose with notes of wild strawberries, rosehips and ripening flowers.

The taste is cool and elegant in a low keyed way, with notes of strawberries, fir wood and forest floor. 4+ years.

89p   (tasted 2025/09)

2021 Barbaresco Albesani

A somewhat restrained, focused nose with notes of ripe red currants, incense and Langhe earth. Very fine.

The taste is finely tuned with fruit, acidity and tannins in a lovely balance. This just needs time, 7+ years.

93p   (tasted 2025/09)

2022 Barbaresco Albesani

The one year younger Albesani shows of a more open nose with notes of wild strawberries, licorice and ripe flowers. A very fine sweetness to the fruit.

The taste is forward and elegant with notes of dried strawberries, spices and licorice. Long and fine. 4+ years.

92p   (tasted 2025/09)

2021 Barolo

A very fine, elegant nose with notes of dried up strawberry jam, licorice and old furniture.

The taste is young and firm with notes of hard cherry candy, earth and licorice. A fine, silky finish. 5+ years.

92p   (tasted 2025/09)

2021 Barolo Margheria

The -21 Margheria displays a juicy, layered nose with notes of paint, sun warm tiles, strawberries and rosehips. Very fine.

The taste is polished and finely structured with notes of licorice, red cherries and incense. A long, sappy finish. 8+ years.

94p   (tasted 2025/09)

2021 Barolo Parafada

A open, concentrated nose with notes of damsons, charcoal, black cherries and licorice. Dark and dense and absolutely gorgeous.

The taste is broad and rich with salivating tannins, sweet black fruit and a minute long, distinct finish. Needs time, 10+ years. Great wine.

95p   (tasted 2025/09)

Franco is justifiably happy with his Barolo line up

2021 Barolo Parussi

A tight, dark nose with notes of ripe strawberries, hints of chocolate, dried flowers and moist earth. Very, very deep.

The taste is racy and bold with a firm backbone, stunning black fruit and a structure for long aging. Gorgeous fruit. 10+ years.

95p   (tasted 2025/09)

2019 Barolo Riserva Vigna Rionda

A Massolino Vigna Rionda from one of my favourite vintages - could it be other than awesome? The nose is bottomless deep with beautiful notes of ripe cherries, sweet Langhe earth, assorted spices and ripe roses. Just stunning.

The taste is a posterchild for the proverbial saying - an iron fist in a velvet glove. All knots and bolts except for maturity is in place. A candidate for perfection in 15+ years.

98p   (tasted 2025/09)