Friday, 28 February 2025

2021 Rossese di Dolceaqua Beragna, Ka* Mancine


2021 Rossese di Dolceaqua Beragna, Ka* Mancine
It was 12 years since I visisted Maurizo on a rainy day - Barolista: The Rossese Report - Part II - but I have tried to drink his wine whenever I get the chance. The -21 Beragna display a nice, cool nose with notes of red currants, fresh Mediterranean herbs and sun warm rocks. Very, very good.
The taste is light and elegant with notes of hard red currant candy, iron and cigarette ashes. A medium long, balanced finish. Drinking nicely now but can be aged for 8+ years.
89p   (tasted 2025/02)

Thursday, 27 February 2025

The Barolo Boys In Piedmont - Visit To Malvirà


The Barolo Boys first visit to Malvirà and Arneis heaven! They make five different ones - impressive! Simon took great care of us and poured these fine wines.

NV Rive Gauche Rosé
This bubbly is made from Nebbiolo grapes. The nose is cool and earthy with low keyed notes of dried strawberries. Light and good.
The taste is dry and nice with a decent acidity and notes of dried strawberries and gravel.
84p   (tasted 2025/01)



NV Rive Gauche
Another bubbly, this time made from Arneis. This shows a fine, flowery nose with notes of candied lemons, white pepper and dry fudge. 
The taste is nicely structured, dry and fresh with notes of lemon peel, grass and gravel.
86p   (tasted 2025/01)

2022 Arneis Renesio
A young, fresh nose with notes of grass, lime and oyster shells.
The taste is crisp and fine with a good acidity and notes of grass and lemon juice.
87p   (tasted 2025/01)


2022 Arneis S.S. Trinitá
This sees 10% wood (Stockinger) and displays a deep, smoky nose with notes of candied lemon peel, spices and matchbox.
The taste is tight and fine with white peppar, lemon peel and sandelwood. Very, very good.
90p   (tasted 2025/01)

2022 Arneis Riserva Vigna Saglietto
More oak on the nose with notes of peach, oranges and smoke.
The taste is rich and steady with notes of ripe apricots, fir wood and a hint of bitterness in the finish.
85p   (tasted 2025/01)



2014 Arneis Vigna Renesio
This 11 year old Arneis is a stunner with a high, spicy nose with notes of green pepper, grass and orange peel. Very, very good.
The taste is structured and balanced with apricots, gravel and grass. Long and fine. A very good acidity.
91p   (tasted 2025/01)

2020 Arneis Riserva Vigna Saglietto
A young, forward nose with red apples, candied lemon peel and gravel. Very, very good.
The taste is tight and fine with a fine acidity and very good apple and lemon fruit.
88p   (tasted 2025/01)

2022 Treuve
A light, spicy nose with notes of ripe flowers, summer warm grass and tangerines.
The taste is light and fresh with a very good acidity and a sweet tangerine fruit. Very, very good.
88p   (tasted 2025/01)


2015 Treuve
The 10 year old Treuve shows a odd but interesting nose with notes of wet cement, dried herbs and aprioct candy. Very fine.
The taste is tight and seedy with a very good structure, assorted yellow fruit and a long, intense finish,
90p   (tasted 2025/01)



2020 Barbera d´Alba Superiore Vigna San Michele
A warm and herbal nose with notes of asphalt, ripe rasberries and tobacco.
The taste is forward and fruity but a tad foursquare in the finish.
84p   (tasted 2025/01)

2020 Nebbiolo Roero
A deep, dark nose with notes of black cherries, cocoa and band aid.
The taste is medium bodied with notes of cherries, violets and undergrowth. 
85p   (tasted 2025/01)

2020 Roero Nebbiolo Riserva S.S. Trinitá
A deep nose with notes of warm tiles, red beet juice, fir wood and cooked cherries.
The taste is forward and good with sweet black fruit and a smoky note. A touch of alcohol in the finish.
85p   (tasted 2025/01)


2019 Roero Nebbiolo Riserva Mombeltramo
A deep, restrained nose with notes of ripe cherries, rosehips and paint. Very, very good.
The taste is nicely concentrated with lovely cherry fruit and notes of asphalt and tobacco. Long.
89p   (tasted 2025/01)

2017 Roero Nebbiolo Riserva Mombeltramo
A pure, fine nose with notes of red cherries, forest floor, licorice and dried flowers. A fine sweetness to the fruit.
The taste is structured and fine with silky tannins and a very good forward cherry fruit. Long and lingering.
91p   (tasted 2025/01)


2011 Roero Nebbiolo Riserva Mombeltramo
A round, mature nose with notes of dried red fruit, undergrowth and dry asphalt. A mature elegance.
The taste is soft and mature with velvety fruit, silky tannins and a medium long, fresh finish.
87p   (tasted 2025/01)

2010 Roero Nebbiolo Riserva Renesio
This is a excellent example of a an (almost) mature Nebbiolo with notes of roses, dried cherries, violets and shoe polish. Very fine.
The taste is cool and refined with character, lovely fruit and a long, layered finish. Really fine.
93p   (tasted 2025/01)

2016 Barolo Boiolo
The first vintage of Malvirá´s Barolo was 2009. The 2016 version offers up a deep, structured nose with nose of star anise, ripe cherries, ripe flowers and coffee powder. 
The taste is tight and elegant with a firm tannins structure, a lovely cherry fruit and a long, firm finish. Will need 8+ years.
92p   (tasted 2025/01)


Wednesday, 26 February 2025

2016 Monile, Viticcio


2016 Monile, Viticcio
This 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot blend offers up a tight, focused nose with notes of plums, ripe black currants, salt licorice and fresh thyme. Very fine.
The taste is nicely concentrated, still young and perky with notes of plums, dark chocolate, leather and Tuscan gravel. Very long and yummy.
92p   (tasted 2025/02)

Monday, 24 February 2025

The Barolo Boys In Piedmont - Visit To Luigi Pira


Disclaimer - the importer of M. Marengo and Luigi Pira (Origo Wines) are friends of mine and co founders of the illustrious Barolo Boys. I however have no financial interests in these wines. I just call them as I see them.

2024 Dolcetto d´Alba
A sample from tank, it will be bottled in April. The nose is fresh and juicy with notes of salmiak, minerals and ripening blueberries.
The taste is cool and peppery with nice violet scented fruit, perky tannins and a long, dry finish.
~88p   (tasted 2025/01)


2023 Barbera d´Alba Superiore
A deep, spicy nose with notes of dried raspberries, tobacco and dusty earth. A fine warmth.
The taste is steady and warm with notes of fried herbs, raspberries and earth. A fine acidity.
89p   (tasted 2025/01)

2023 Langhe Nebbiolo
A ripe, pure nose with notes of hard cherry candy, fir wood and asphalt. Very, very good.
The taste is tight and fine with gorgeous cherry fruit, silky Serralunga tannins and a long, balanced finish. According to Gianpaolo, the best LN he has ever made.
92p   (tasted 2025/01)



2021 Barolo del Comune di Serralunga d´Alba
A stunning Comune wine. The nose is high and intense with notes of shining, ripe red cherries, iron, violets and rosehips. All of the Baroli was bottles just the week before. 
The taste is ballerina like with focus, balance and grace. The best Serralunga I have evere tasted from Gianpaolo.
94p   (tasted 2025/01)

2021 Barolo Margheria
A high, layered nose with stunning notes of ripe red cherries, Christmas spices, cigarette smoke and rosehips. 
The taste is tight, focused and full of energy with notes of cherry licorice, rosehips, tobacco and paint. The finish goes on and on. 8+ years. Great wine.
96p   (tasted 2025/01)



2021 Barolo Marenca
A very deep, tight nose with notes of asphalt, leather, dark roses and boatloads of ripe black cherries. Bottomless.
The taste is rich and concentrated with brilliant fruit, broadshouldered tannins and a finish that never ends. 10+ years.
96p   (tasted 2025/01)

2021 Barolo Vignarionda
A very handsome, refined nose with notes of dried roses, hard cherry candy, orange peel and expensive tobacco. Just awesome.
The taste is brilliant with focus, intensity and the purest fruit imaginable. A candidate for perfection, just wait 10+ years.
98p   (tasted 2025/01)



Sunday, 23 February 2025

2017 Barolo Bricco San Pietro, Podere Ruggeri Corsini


2017 Barolo Bricco San Pietro, Podere Ruggeri Corsini
Right from the get go, the nose oozes up from the glass with notes of violets, dried roses, shoe polish and hard cherry candy. A very fine warmth.
The taste is dry and refined with notes of dry tobacco, violets, rosehips and cherry pips. A long, fine finish. Drinking great today and the coming 8+ years.
92p   (tasted 2025/02)

Notes from The Barolo Boys visit to Ruggeri Corsini - Barolista: The Barolo Boys In Piedmont - Visit To Podere Ruggeri Corsini

Saturday, 22 February 2025

2019 Brunello di Montalcino, Caparzo


2019 Brunello di Montalcino, Caparzo
An open, warm, earthy nose with notes of fried herbs, black cherries, smoke and hot Tuscan gravel. Very, very good.
The taste is velvety and fine with notes of sage, dried cherries, tobacco and earth. Nicely embedded tannins. A fine warmth. 5+ years.
89p   (tasted 2025/02)





Wednesday, 19 February 2025

The Barolo Boys In Piedmont - Visit To M. Marengo


Disclaimer - the importer of M. Marengo and Luigi Pira (Origo Wines) are friends of mine and co founders of the illustrious Barolo Boys. I however have no financial interests in these wines. I just call them as I see them.

2023 Barbera d´Alba Vigna Pugnane
An open, large scaled nose with notes of rapberry licorice, moist earth and ripe flowers. Very, very good.
The taste is meaty and fine with ripe raspberry fruit and a fresh acidity. 
88p   (tasted 2025/01)



2023 Langhe Nebbiolo
A handsome, luscious nose with notes of violets, red cherries and shoe cream.
The taste is young and fresh with notes of herbs, violets and tobacco. Long and fine.
91p   (tasted 2025/01)

2023 Nebbiolo d´Alba Valmaggiore
A high, intense nose with notes of hard cherry candy, violets and paint. Stunning.
The taste is tight and refined with notes of salmiak, gravel and ripe cherries. Long and lingering. The best Valmaggiore I have ever tasted.
95p   (tasted 2025/01)


2010 Dolcetto d´Alba
A 15 year old Dolcetto that delivers the goods. The nose is deep and rounded with notes of sugared coffee, dried blueberries, iron and paint.
The taste is medium bodied and nicely structured with notes of ink, dried blueberries and gravel. Very, very good.
89p   (tasted 2025/01)


2021 Barolo
A fine, restrained nose with notes of red cherries, dry licorice and Langhe earth.
The taste is pure and fine with notes of cherry pips, tobacco and earth. Chewy tannins and a fine dryness in the finish.
89p   (tasted 2025/01)

2021 Barolo Stefano
The first vintage of this Barolo. The grapes comes from Boilo. The nose is young and seedy with notes of licorice, dried up cherry jam and asphalt. Very, very good.
The taste is tight and structured with a fine cherry sweetness, polished tannins and a medium long, dry finish.
91p   (tasted 2025/01)



2021 Barolo Bricco delle Viole
A deep, perfumed nose with notes of ripe cherries, violets (!), licorice and sage. Gorgeous.
The taste is tight ans layered with notes of cherries, dried flowers, licorice and paint. Very long. 
94p   (tasted 2025/01)

2021 Barolo Brunate
A taut, struvtured nose with notes of black tea, black cherries, asphalt and Langhe earth. Very fine.
The taste is high and intense with massive fruit, broad tannins and a long, long, stern finish. This will need plenty of time in the cellar.
95p   (tasted 2025/01)

2019 Barolo Riserva Brunate
It was a no brainer that the Riserva from 2019 would be a great wine. The nose soars up from the glass with notes of old viney red fruit (the vines are 90+ year), sweet licorice, sun warm asphalt and ripe flowers. A very fine perfumed note.
The taste is taut, intense and focused with every knot and bolt in their right place. Gorgeous tannins. This beauty is lokking at perfection in 10+ years.
97p   (tasted 2025/01)



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: