Monday, 17 February 2025

Lunch At Frantzén



I got a great birthday present from my better half - a lunch at Frantzén, the only restaurant in Sweden with three Michelin stars. 
The lunch was a real treat, the service was out of this world - attentive, funny, meticulous and serious.
The food and wine were perfectly matched. Five hours to remember.

Grande Cuvée 172ème Édition, Krug
The nose is deep and layered with notes of tangerines, candied lemons, smoke and chrushed minerals. Very fine.
The taste is young and crisp with notes of matchbox, yellow plums and lemon cream. A fine cleansing acidity. Lovely.
95p   (tasted 2025/02)




2023 Wiltinger Braunekupp Riesling Kabinett, Egon Müller
A high, pure nose with notes of rubber, wet stones, birch oil and a petrol station in a distance. 
The taste is balanced and delicate with a high acidity and gorgeous yellow fruit. Very long.
92p   (tasted 2025/02)




2022 Sonoma Coast Chardonnay, Aubert
An open, lovely nose with notes of lemon cream, butter fudge, matchbox and candle greas. A very fine sweetness to the fruit.
The taste is tight and concentrated with boatloads of sweet yellow fruit, a fine acidity and a long, juicy finish.
93p   (tasted 2025/02)


5 Year Rainwater Reserva, Barbeito
A deep, brittle nose with notes of assorted nuts, earth, fir wood and chrushed rocks. Very, very good.
The taste is concentrated and fine with notes of dried figs, nuts, charcoal and earth. A very fine acidity.
91p   (tasted 2025/02)




2009 Château d´Armailhac
A beautiful, deep nose with notes of fresh stables, ripe black currants, expensive tobacco, graphite and dusty earth. Very fine.
The taste is aristocratic and brilliant with hints of maturity and stunning notes of black currant fruit, some nibbling tannins and a long, dry finish. Great wine.
95p   (tasted 2025/02)



1998 Château de Fargues
A bold, sweet nose with notes of saffron, orange honey, hand cream and apriocts. Very deep and fine.
The taste is rich and concentrated, still young and oooh so promising. Very sweet, lively and focused. 8+ years. 
94p   (tasted 2025/02)

Sunday, 16 February 2025

The Barolo Boys Does Grandi Langhe 2025



The Barolo Boys arrived to Turin on a Monday morning, yet again to try to make the impossible. 
496 producers present. Only 14 hours to our disposal.

I met up with 46 producers and got to taste a decent amount of wines during the two days - 152 Baroli and 47 other wines, a total of 199 wines.

We also made some visits during Saturday and Sunday, of which there will be separate posts, two have already been posted, see below. In total for the four days I tasted 270 wines, of which 174 was a Barolo.

The idea of Grandi Langhe is to showcase the newest released vintage, in this case the 2021 Barolo. But as you can see from the wines below there was a lot of 20´s also. 
Several producers haven´t bottled yet or they have but maybe in the last couple of weeks and they feel that the wines wouldn´t perform their best. 
But this is an incentive to come to Grandi Langhe next year, not perhaps for the -22´s but to taste the -21´s not present this year.
How about the 21 vintage then? Its a stunner. Regal, focused with sweet fruit and complexity in spades. It doesn´t have the aristocratic backbone of the -19´s, which I prefer, as a vintage, but it is up there with 2016 and 2013. 
If I was younger.....I would buy plenty.

The wines tasted:
97-98p
2019 Barolo Riserva Rocche dell´Annunziata, Paolo Scavino
2019 Barolo Riserva Bricco San Biagio, San Biagio

2021 Barolo Cannubi, Francesco Rinaldi





95-96p
2018 Barolo Riserva Castelletto, Josetta Saffirio

2019 Barolo Riserva Bricco San Pietro, Cascina Sòt
2019 Barolo Riserva Cannubi, Francesco Rinaldi
2019 Barolo Riserva Lazzarito, Ettore Germano

2021 Barolo Bussia Vigna Pianpolvere, Chionetti
2021 Barolo Ravera, Paolo Scavino
2021 Barolo Brid dël Fiasc, Paolo Scavino
2021 Barolo Bussia, Silvano Bolmida
2021 Barolo Margheria, Massolino
2021 Barolo Parafada, Massolino
2021 Barolo Coste & Bricco, Ascheri
2021 Barolo Ginestra, Renzo Seghesio
2021 Barolo Vigna Pajana, Renzo Seghesio
2021 Barolo Bricco Boschis, Roccheviberti
2021 Barolo Perno, Schiavenza
2021 Barolo Rocche dell´Annunziata, Francesco Rinaldi





93-94p
2016 Barolo Cerequio, Batasiolo
2016 Barolo Briccolina, Batasiolo

2017 Barolo Riserva Castelletto, Fortemasso

2018 Barolo Riserva Serra, Icardi
2018 Barolo Capalot, San Biagio

2019 Barolo Bussia, Stroppiana
2019 Barolo Massara, Castello di Verduno
2019 Barolo Castelletto, Fortemasso
2019 Barolo San Rocco, San Biagio
2019 Barolo Riserva Rocche dell´Annunziata

2020 Barolo Bussia Bricco Visette, Attilio Ghisolfi
2020 Barolo Ravera, Elvio Cogno
2020 Barolo Capalot, Crissante Alessandria
2020 Barolo Monvigliero, Crissante Alessandria
2020 Barolo San Lorenzo, Diego Morra
2020 Barolo Perno, Josetta Saffirio
2020 Barolo Bussia, Silvano Bolmida
2020 Barolo Bussia Vigna dei Fantini, Silvano Bolmida
2020 Barolo Ginestra, Renzo Seghesio
2020 Barolo Vigna Pajana, Renzo Seghesio
2020 Barolo Bricco Voghera, Tenuta Cucco
2020 Barolo Cerrati, Tenuta Cucco
2020 Barolo Brunate, Francesco Rinaldi
2020 Barolo Gramolere, Giovanni Manzone
2020 Barolo Castelletto, Giovanni Manzone
2020 Barolo Rocchetevino, Ciabot Berton

2021 Barolo Sorano, Claudio Alario
2021 Barolo Bricco Broglio, Bruna Grimaldi
2021 Barolo Castello, Bricco Carlina
2021 Barolo Bricco San Pietro, Cascina Sòt
2021 Barolo Roncaglie, Chionetti
2021 Barolo Bricco Ambrogio, Paolo Scavino
2021 Barolo Monvigliero, Paolo Scavino
2021 Barolo Bussia Vigna Fantina, Paolo Scavino
2021 Barolo Prapò, Paolo Scavino
2021 Barolo Del Comune di Verduno, Diego Morra
2021 Barolo Ravera, Josetta Saffirio
2021 Barolo Vigna Santa Caterina, Guido Porro
2021 Barolo V. Lazzairasco, Guido Porro
2021 Barolo Vignarionda, Guido Porro
2021 Barolo Parussi, Massolino
2021 Barolo Ascheri, Ascheri
2021 Barolo Meriame, Paolo Manzone
2021 Barolo Arborina, Nadia Curto
2021 Barolo Gallinottoc, Mauro Molino
2021 Barolo Ca´d´Nalin, Renzo Seghesio
2021 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione, Roccheviberti
2021 Barolo Broglio, Schiavenza
2021 Barolo Cerretta, Schiavenza
2021 Barolo Prapò, Ettore Germano
2021 Barolo Parafada, Palladino
2021 Barolo Ornato, Palladino





91-92p
2011 Barolo Riserva, Famiglia Anselma

2016 Barolo Bussia Vigneto Bufani, Batasiolo
2016 Barolo Brunate, Batasiolo
2016 Barolo Rocche dell´Annunziata, Cascina del Monastero

2017 Barolo Perno, Cascina del Monastero
2017 Barolo Riserva La Foia, Nadia Curto
2017 Barolo Riserva Gramolere, Giovanni Manzone

2018 Barolo Coste di Verge, Camparo

2019 Barolo Boiolo, Camparo
2019 Barolo Bricco Cogna, Stroppiana
2019 Barolo Rocche dell´Annunziata, Cascina del Monastero
2019 Barolo Riserva Margheria, Franco Boasso
2019 Barolo Fossati, Icardi
2019 Barolo Del Comune di Diano d´Alba, Bricco Maiolica
2019 Barolo Riserva, Paolo Manzone

2020 Barolo Mosconi, Famiglia Anselma
2020 Barolo Bussia, Attilio Ghisolfi
2020 Barolo, Camparo
2020 Barolo Cascina Nuova, Elvio Cogno
2020 Barolo Galina, Crissante Alessandria
2020 Barolo Del Comune di Verduno, Diego Morra
2020 Barolo Del Comune di Monforte d´Alba, Josetta Saffirio
2020 Barolo Del Comune di Monforte d´Alba, Ruggeri Corsini
2020 Barolo Castelletto, Fortemasso
2020 Barolo Ca´d´Nalin, Renzo Seghesio
2020 Barolo Del Comune di Serralunga d´Alba, Tenuta Cucco
2020 Barolo Cerretta, Ettore Germano
2020 Barolo Ciabot Berton, Ciabot Berton
2020 Barolo Roggeri, Ciabot Berton

2021 Barolo Camilla, Bruna Grimaldi
2021 Barolo Badarina, Bruna Grimaldi
2021 Barolo Raviole, Bricco Carlina
2021 Barolo Del Comune di Grinzane Cavour, Bricco Carlina
2021 Barolo Del Comune di Monforte d´Alba, Cascina Sòt
2021 Barolo, Castello di Verduno
2021 Barolo, Paolo Scavino
2021 Barolo Gianetto, Guido Porro
2021 Barolo, Massolino
2021 Barolo Pisapola, Ascheri
2021 Barolo Sorano, Ascheri
2021 Barolo La Foia, Nadia Curto
2021 Barolo, Mauro Molino
2021 Barolo La Serra, Mauro Molino
2021 Barolo Del Comune di Monforte d´Alba, Fortemasso
2021 Barolo Rocche Vite, Roccheviberti
2021 Barolo Del Comune di Serralunga d´Alba, Schiavenza
2021 Barolo Del Comune di La Morra, Rocche Costamagna
2021 Barolo Rocche dell´Annunziata, Rocche Costamagna
2021 Barolo Del Comune di Serralunga, Palladino





89-90p
2019 Barolo Riserva Parafada, Poderi Sori
2019 Barolo Monvigliero, I Bre

2020 Barolo Bussia Vigna Pianpolvere, Famiglia Anselma
2020 Barolo Beni, Batasiolo
2020 Barolo Boschetti, Lodovico
2020 Barolo Lazzarito, Franco Boasso
2020 Barolo Zinzasco, Diego Morra
2020 Barolo Parej, Icardi
2020 Barolo Breri, I Bre

2021 Barolo Riva Rocca, Claudio Alario
2021 Barolo Leonardo, Stroppiana
2021 Barolo Gabutti, Franco Boasso
2021 Barolo Del Comune di La Morra, Crissante Alessandria
2021 Barolo, Ascheri
2021 Barolo Del Comune di Serralunga, Paolo Manzone
2021 Barolo Del Comune di La Morra, Ciabot Berton
2021 Barolo San Lorenzo di Verduno, Fratelli Alessandria
2021 Barolo Monvigliero, Fratelli Alessandria
2021 Barolo Gramolere, Fratelli Alessandria


87-88p
2019 Barolo Parafada, Poderi Sori

2020 Barolo Del Comune di Serralunga d´Alba, Famiglia Anselma
2020 Barolo, Famiglia Anselma
2020 Barolo Le Coste, Famiglia Anselma
2020 Barolo Del Comune Di Dian d´Alba, Bricco Maiolica
2020 Barolo Baldana, Poderi Sori
2020 Barolo Parafada, Podere Sori

2021 Barolo Boschetti, Lodovico
2021 Barolo, Bricco Carlina
2021 Barolo Del Comune di Serralunga d´Alba, Franco Boasso











Previous visits to Grandi Langhe:



Visits on the 25 and 26th of January:


Saturday, 15 February 2025

An Old Bottle Of Madeira - Sercial Velho, Miles Madeiras Limitada


Sercial Velho, Miles Madeiras Limitada
Like the name indicates, an old Sercial. The nose is deep and nutty with notes of burnt grass, toasted almonds, detergent and old tobacco. Very interesting.
The taste taut and tight with notes of bitter almonds, fried nuts, dusty earth and old spices. Very long. A far from modern a Sercial, but ooh so good.
90p   (tasted 2025/02)

Saturday, 8 February 2025

The Barolo Boys In Piedmont - Dinner With Pira & Marengo


This is the third year in a row where the Barolo Boys cook dinner for the Pira & Marengo families. We cook and bring wine that we think would suffice, but both Gianpaolo and Marco keeps popping bottles during the dinner. But we are not complaining.

2018 Sorangeon, Christian Gosset
A new producer for me and a very good one. This Blanc de Blancs offers up a crisp, handsome nose with notes of yellow plums, dry fudge, oranges and freshly washed linens. Lovely.
The taste is young and fresh as a daisy with notes of tangerines, nougat and fudge. A very fine acidity, long and juicy. Non dosage.
93p   (tasted 2025/01)


2023 Pittermännchen Riesling Kabinett, Joh. Bapt. Schäfer
A high, stern nose with lots of chrushed rocks, pear ice cream and lime peel. Very young and impressive.
The taste is pure and racy with great fruit, a cleansing acidity and a long, intense finish. 6+ years.
92p   (tasted 2025/01)


2012 Abtserde, Keller
A tight, refined nose with notes of sweet minerals, lemon cream, lemon licorice and dried flowers. Very, very deep.
The taste is intense and complex with boatloads of fruit, acidity and structure. Still young. The finish goes on and on and on. 5+ years.
96p   (tasted 2025/01)

2008 Barbera d´Alba Pugnane, M. Marengo
A deep, forest filled nose with notes of sweet violets, smoke, Lily of the Valley and Finnish licorice. Very, very good.
The taste is open and fine with lots of ripe raspberries, licorice and smoke. A fine warmth in the finish. Some maturity.
91p   (tasted 2025/01)

1974 Barolo, Oddero
A mature, soft nose with notes of dried red fruits, sugared coffee and root vegetables. A tad thin in the middle.
The taste is old school with still firm tannins, dry red fruit and a long, dry finish. Still hanging in there but past its prime.
86p   (tasted 2025/01)



2007 Barbera d´Alba, Luigi Pira
A deep, tight nose with notes of raspberry cake, fir smoke, earth and licorice. Very, very good.
The taste is rich and focused with notes of ink, ripe raspberries, licorice and smoke. Still on the young side of things.
91p   (tasted 2025/01)

2009 Nebbiolo d´Alba Valmaggiore, M. Marengo
A round, maturing nose with notes of herbs, violets and cooked cherries. Very good.
The taste is open and soft with a warm cherry fruit, a fine acidity and a medium long finish.
86p   (tasted 2025/01)

1988 Dolcetto d´Alba  Bussia Soprana, Aldo Conterno
Who said that Dolcetto can´t age? A deep, forest filled nose with notes of dried blueberries, dry tobacco and ink. Very, very good.
The taste is mature and warm with notes of dried up bluberry jam, scorched earth and tobacco. Could go on for 5+ years.
89p   (tasted 2025/01)


2008 Barolo Riserva Vigna Delle Brunate, M. Marengo
A rich, intense nose with notes of hard cherry candy, asphalt, rosehips and shoe polish. Lovely.
The taste is structured and refined, still young, and filled to the brim with gorgeous cherry fruit. The finish goes on and on. 6+ years.
95p   (tasted 2025/01)



1993 Barolo Romirasco, Aldo Conterno
A very deep, perfectly mature Barolo with stunning notes of bay leaves, milk chocolate, dried strawberries and soft Langhe earth.
The taste is layered and delicate with notes of dry licorice, wild strawberries, rosehips and paint. A lovely dried up sweetness. Great wine.
95p   (tasted 2025/01)

2007 Barolo Margheria, Luigi Pira
A still young, potent nose with notes of licorice, violets, iron and coffee powder. Very fine.
The taste is polished and concentrated with taut tannins and a lip smacking fine cherry fruit. 5+ years.
93p   (tasted 2025/01)

1998 Barolo Brunate, Vietti
A deep, brilliant nose with notes of hard cherry candy, warm gravel, tobacco and a hint of mint. A lovely sweetness to the fruit. Almost fully mature.
The taste is focused and balanced with intense cherry fruit, silky tannins and a long, warm finish. Very handsome.
94p   (tasted 2025/01)


1998 Barolo Brunate, M. Marengo
A deep, smoky nose with notes of dried up cherry jam, herbs, fir wood and iron. Very fine.
The taste is still on the young side of things with notes of hard cherry candy, ink, tobacco and undergrowth. Very long. 4+ years.
93p   (tasted 2025/01)