Drinking Like Common People - Part III

10 years ago I upset my taste buds and stomach - Barolista: Drinking Like Common People - Part One - The Whites

Now it was time again. I selected the five most sold white wines during 2024 in one liter containers (no ordinary size (750 ml) bottles made the cut). The most sold bottles in total quantity are sold in 3 liters plastic bags and I didn´t, like last time, want to pour so much wine down the drain. 

Have the quality got better or worse over these 10 years? Lets find out.

But first some music - Pulp - Common People

2024 Ruppertsberger Weinkeller Riesling

A simple but clean nose with notes of ripening flowers, chives and grass.

The taste is dry and somewhat foursquare with a discreet acidity and dry lemon notes. A decent wine.

From Germany. 426.804 bottles sold.

79p   (tasted 2025/06)

NV Rosas White Wine

A low keyed, bland nose with some hints of peach, gravel and dried flowers.

The taste is a tad bitter with notes of canned pears and gravel. Rather short but I wouldn´t refuse to have a glass of it.

From Spain. 485.902 plastic containers sold.

76p   (tasted 2025/06)

NV Fair & Square

A wet dishrag, canned fruit mix and some plastic notes - does it get you interested?

The taste is marginally better with notes of lemons, grass and a harsch acidity on the side. Why o why...

From Argentina. 493.562 plastic containers sold.

67p   (tasted 2025/06)

NV Aussie Chardonnay

The nose is hideous with notes of cheap soap, canned fruit with a long since passed expiration date and vomit fumes in a distance.

The taste is foursquare and simple with a high bitterness and almost completely void of fruit. Have people no taste buds?!

From Australia. 519.635 plastic containers sold.

55p   (tasted 2025/06)

NV Vino Bianco

Interesting enough, the cheapest wine is the (relatively...) best one. The nose is low keyed but pure and grassy with some dried peach and lemons.

The taste is somewhat anonymous but clean and actually, compared to most of the others, balanced. Apart from the vessel it comes in, I could definitely have this as a cooking wine, and sometimes even down a glass myself.

From Italy. 862.211 plastic containers sold.

81p   (tasted 2025/06)

Divine Pours Divine Wines

A couple of days ago I tasted these fine bottles at Magnusson Fine Wines, courtsey of Divine.

NV Grande Réserve, Gosset

A handsome, creamy nose with notes of grilled lemons, passionfruit and chrushed rocks. Very fine.

The taste is tight end refined with a excellent structure, acidity and yellow fruit. A delight to drink.

93p   (tasted 2025/12)

2018 Clos Ste Hune, Trimbach

Very, very young. The nose is restrained and elegant with notes of rubber, slate and a low keyed perfumed note.

The taste is racy and sleek with a high acidity, lots of minerals, grey pears and white flowers. Very, very long. Needs at least 8+ years in the cellar.

93p   (tasted 2025/12)

2022 Pinot Noir, Felton Road

A young, perky nose with notes of spices, ripe raspberries and autumn leaves. Very, very good.

The taste is medium bodied and juicy with notes of wild strawberries, Asian spices and earth.

90p   (tasted 2025/12)

2022 Southing Pinom Noir, Seasmoke

A deep, concentrated nose with notes of cardamom, raspberry coulis and Finnish licorice. Very fine.

The taste is tight and elegant with lovely raspberry fruit, a cleansing acidity and a long, elegant finish.

93p   (tasted 2025/12)

2021 EABA, Andremily

A large scaled, peppery nose with notes of dark chocolate, plums, asphalt and fir wood. Deep and intense.

The taste is taut and fine with notes of fried herbs, asphalt and ripe black fruit. Very long. 7+ years.

94p   (tasted 2025/12)

2021 Grenache, Andremily

A very concentrated, focused nose with notes of scorched earth, raspberry licorice, red tea and a very fine perfumed note.

The taste is broad and structured with notes of black pudding, dried flowers and dried herbs. The finish goes on and on. Great wine. 6+ years.

96p   (tasted 2025/12)

2019 The Mascot, Harlan Estate

A deep, complex nose with notes of ripe black currants, graphite and new leather. Very fine.

The taste is tight and refined with gorgeous black currant fruit with a hint of mint in the mix, silky tannins and a long, long finish. 6+ years.

95p   (tasted 2025/12)

2021 IX Estate, Colgin

A pure, intense, layered nose with the sweetest black fruit imaginable alongside notes of iron, chocolate and lead. Just awesome.

The taste is rich, focused and stunning with all knots and bolts in the right place. The finish goes on for minutes. A world class wine. 8+ years.

98p   (tasted 2025/12)

Two Fine Pinot Noir´s From Elk Cove

2022 La Bohème Pinot Noir, Elk Cove

An open, cool Pinot Noir nose with notes of (over)ripe raspberries, moist earth and incense. A very fine sweetness to the fruit. Lovely.

The taste is high and fine with notes of raspberry cake, salmiak and fresh herbs. A long, distinct finish. 4+ years.

94p   (tasted 2025/11)

2022 Clay Court Pinot Noir, Elk Cove

The Clay Court is more restrained and deeper than the La Bohème with notes of dark raspberries, red tea and a fine perfumed note. 

The taste is tight and dark with notes of charcoal, ripe flowers and fried herbs. Very long. Needs 7+ years.

93p   (tasted 2025/11)

2019 Dolcetto d´Alba, Fratelli Alessandria

2019 Dolcetto d´Alba, Fratelli Alessandria

A light hearted, shy nose with notes of red currants, violets and forest floor. A nice warmth.

The taste is fresh and forward with some maturity and notes of blue- and lingonberries and dry licorice.

86p   (tasted 2025/12)

Giorgio Rivetta From La Spinetta At Wine Table

I got an invitation from Winetable to meet Giorgio Rivetti and taste some wines from La Spinetta.

2021 Alta Langhe Blanc de Blancs, Contratto

A cool, stony nose with notes of white currants, dry caramel and chrushed rocks. Very, very good.

The taste is fresh and elegant with notes of lime, white currants and slate. A very fine acidity. Tasted twice lately with the same impression.

91p   (tasted 2025/12)

2024 Timorasso, La Spinetta

A young, crisp nose with notes of William pear, grass and white flowers. 

The taste is forward and fine with good fruit, a very good acidity for a Timorasso and a bitter note in the finish. Tasted twice lately with the same impression.

87p   (tasted 2025/12)

2024 Langhe Nebbiolo, La Spinetta

A light, forward nose with notes of dried cherries, smoke and Christmas spices.

The taste is medium bodied and light in structure with a nice cherry fruit and a rather short finish. Reflects the challeging year of 2024. Tasted twice lately with the same impression.

85p   (tasted 2025/12)

2022 Barbaresco Starderi, La Spinetta

Tasted recently - Barolista: Tasting New Releases - Whites & Reds - and on this night its behaved excatly the same. Great wine.

93p   (tasted 2025/12)

2012 Barbaresco, La Spinetta

This 13 year old Barbaresco displays a deep, somewhat mature nose with notes of dried cherries, vintage leather, tobacco and earth. Elegant and very fine.

The taste is medium bodied and silky with lovely cherry fruit, notes of licorice, leather and nutmeg. Very long. Great wine. 4+ years.

95p   (tasted 2025/12)

2021 Barolo Garretti, La Spinetta

I have never tasted the Garretti from La Spinetta before (the first vintage was 2006). The nose is deep and upfront with notes of cool cherries, coffee grounds, licorice and chives. Very fine.

The taste is high and tight with a very fine structure, polished tannins and fine cherry fruit. Ooh so young, 10+ years.

93p   (tasted 2025/12)

2005 Barolo Vürzü Campe´, La Spinetta

The Campe´comes from the highest part of Garretti. The nose is deep and just lovely with notes of dried up cherry jam, pipe tobacco, paint and worn leather. A very fine dried up sweetness to the fruit.

The taste is tigh and with a great mouthfeel, some mature notes and still some perky tannins. Very, very long. Gorgeous. 6+ years.

96p   (tasted 2025/12)

2000 Barolo Vigneto Campe´, La Spinetta

2000 Barolo Vigneto Campe´, La Spinetta

An open, mature, warm nose with notes of scorched earth, dried cherries, licorice and green raisins. Very, very good.

The taste is rich and warm with notes of fir wood, dried up cherry jam, tobacco and earth. Very long. Almost fully mature.

91p   (tasted 2025/11)

A Birthday Barolo - 1998 Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra, Domenico Clerico

1998 Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra, Domenico Clerico

The birthday Barolo - the 64´s (of course!) - will be poured at our family dinner on Sunday.

The nose is deep and dark with notes of dried up cherry jam, violet licorice, red beets and asphalt. Very fine.

The taste is broad and somewhat mature with notes of chocolate covered cherries, asphalt, dried flowers and cold coffee. A long, warm finish. Entering maturity, this has 10+ more years to go.

93p   (tasted 2025/12)

The 2025 Autumn Wine Tasting Dinner

And so it begins...

It was time for our semi annual tasting dinner and as always we ate great and drank nice wines.

All wines, expect för the ones I brought (the two Paillard´s), tasted double blind.

Flight I

2008 Comtes de Champagne, Taittinger

A delicate, bred filled nose with additionall notes of lemon licorice, matchbox, white flowers and butterscotch. High and fine.

The taste is fresh and stony with notes of smoke, lemon lemonade and toasted bread. I noted - a high dosage? This was a fine bottle of bubbly but I have tasted better bottles of the 08 Comtes.

93p   (tasted 2025/11)

2008 Millésime, Camille Savés

Tasted at one of our dinners 9 years ago - Barolista: Tasting Dinner With Charles Heidsieck, Sauzet, Aldo Conterno, Comte de Vogüé, Cossart Gordon & More! - and then I thought it should get better in 2-3 years time. Ad 9 years instead and you get a stunner of a wine. 

The nose is deep and somewhat mature with gorgeous notes och ripe peaches, red apples smoke and sun warm rocks. 

The taste is creamy and stony with notes of fudge, apple pie, dried flowers and smoke. A very fine, cleansing acidity. Complex and fine with a fine bitter note in the finish. On top of its game.

95p   (tasted 2025/11)

2012 Assemblage, Bruno Paillard

A somewhat restrained nose with notes of oranges, gravel and dried flowers. A fine, irony note.

The taste is tight and fine with notes of tangerines, grape and sun warm rocks. Fresh and fine.

90p   (tasted 2025/11)

2015 Assemblage, Bruno Paillard

An open, deep nose with notes of tangerines, peaches and sweet minerals. Juicy and fine.

The taste is creamy and fine with a notes of orange nougat, dried flowers and chrushed rocks. A very fine acidity.

92p   (tasted 2025/11)

Flight II

2019 Meursault-Poruzot Premier Cru, Jobard-Morey

A deep, complex nose with notes of ripe lemons, smoke and candle grease. High and fine.

The taste is pure and elegant with notes of sweet lime, chrushed rocks and smoke. A high acidity. Very long.

92p   (tasted 2025/11)

2020 Meursault-Genevrières Premier Cru, Michel Bouzereau

A round, velvety nose with notes of fudge, lemon cream, chives and a hint of glue. Very fine.

The taste is fresh and intense with notes of lemon licorice, lavender and chalk. A long, layered finish.

94p   (tasted 2025/11)

2018 Meursault Charmes Premier Cru, PYCM

A very deep, complex nose with notes of fir wood, ripe peaches, freshly washes clothes and a wonderful saline notes. Gorgeous.

The taste is racy and just brilliant with everything in place except some more maturity. Truly great.

97p   (tasted 2025/11)

2018 Meursault-Perriéres Premier Cru, Thierry et Pascale Matrot

A high, energetic nose with notes of matchbox, yellow flowers and ripe lemons. Very fine.

The taste is tight and concentrated  with notes of lemon cream, warm grass and smoke. A long, lovely finish.

94p   (tasted 2025/11)

Flight III

2003 Côte-Rôtie Cote Blonde, R. Rostaing

A elegant, mature nose with notes of dried blackberries, bakelite, cold coffee and veal stock. Very, very good.

The taste is cool and round with notes of dried black fruit, black pepper and earth. A fine warmth. Maybe a tad dry on the finish.

91p   (tasted 2025/11)

2015 Syrah, Lillian

An open, plummy nose with notes of sweet violets, ripe black cherries, pipe tobacco and dusty earth. Rich and fine.

The taste is nicely concentrated with notes of damsons, black currants, tobacco and dried meat. Very long. Needs more time.

93p   (tasted 2025/11)

2016 Dry Red Wine No 2, Yarra Yering

A velvety, deep nose with notes of ripe black currants, chocolate biscuits, fried meat and herbs. Very fine.

The taste is taut and fine with notes of ripe black currants, dark chocolate and warm gravel. A very fine balance. Long and lingering.

94p   (tasted 2025/11)

2015 Porseleinberg, Boekenhoutskloof

A big and bold nose with notes of violets, ink and ripe blackberries. A tad stifled even with lots of swirling.

The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of plums, salmiak and diesel oil. The tannins are powerful with a hint of bitterness. Needs time.

88p   (tasted 2025/11)

Flight IV

2018 Vintage Port, Taylor´s

A deep, dark nose with notes of cinnamon, Finnish licorice, fried nuts and damsons. Very, very good.

The taste is rich and concentrated with boatloads of black, sweet fruit, fried herbs and ripe dark flowers. Needs lots of time.

91p   (tasted 2025/11)

2021 Vintage Port, Quinta de Noval

A sweet, layered nose with notes of new leather, assorted nuts, chocolate and licorice. Lovely.

The taste is big and bold with stunning notes of salmiak, lavender, cooked cherries and balsamic vinegar. The finish goes on and on. Just needs 20+ years...

95p   (tasted 2025/11)

2017 Vintage Port, Taylor´s

An open, sweet nose with notes of salt licorice, almond paste, sweet violets and sugared coffee. Very fine.

The taste is tight and concentrated with a restrained sweetness, lots of sun warm rocks, violets and licorice. Very, very long. 

93p   (tasted 2025/11)

1947 Vouvray Le Haut-Lieu Moelleux, Huet

1947 Vouvray Le Haut-Lieu Moelleux, Huet

Mature but still very much alive and kicking (we guessed it to be a -97 Huet...). The nose is soft and very deep with notes of moist earth, dried apricots, matchbox and oilcloth. Very complex.

The taste is velvety and concentrated with rich fruit, a high acidity, notes of smoke, apricots and glue. Very long. Again, we thought it to be 50 years younger than it is.

Tasted at the lastest Barolo Boys tasting - Barolista: The Barolo Boys Does Burlotto, Bartolo Mascarello & Giacomo Conterno

94p   (tasted 2025/11)

1983 Château Croque Michotte

1983 Château Croque Michotte

A low keyed, elegant nose with notes of dried plums, vintage leather and autumn leaves. A fine green note.

The taste is mature and dry with notes of cold coffee, dried black currants and earth. Fully mature. As Broadbent would have said - a nice luncheon claret.

86p   (tasted 2025/12)

2023 Barbera d´Asti La Crena, Vietti

2023 Barbera d´Asti La Crena, Vietti

A large scaled, deep nose with notes of smoke, ripe raspberries, Christmas spices and wet asphalt on a summer morning. Very fine.

The taste is tight and fine with a nice saline, mineral touch, lots of ripe raspberries, herbs and Finnish licorice. Long and juicy with a very fine acidity.

A tasting sample from Vinunic.

93p   (tasted 2025/12)

The Barolo Boys Does Burlotto, Bartolo Mascarello & Giacomo Conterno

The Barolo Boys and some prospects (soon to be full-fledged members!) gathered to taste these gems. Thanks to S for the wines and food! 

All wines tasted double blind.

Flight I

2006 Barolo Acclivi, Burlotto

A somewhat mature, stony nose with notes of dried strawberries, fir wood, Christmas spices and licorice. 

The taste is low keyed and elegant with notes of red cherries, herbs and earth. Nicely polished tannins. 4+ years.

92p   (tasted 2025/11)

2004 Barolo Monvigliero, Burlotto

A deep, high nose with notes of orange peel, incense, rosehips and dried flowers. Very fine.

The taste is linear and refined with lots of red fruit, silky tannins and a long, layered finish. 4+ years.

96p   (tasted 2025/11)

2004 Barolo Cannubi, Burlotto

A stunner. A very deep, complex nose with notes of ripe cherries, Langhe earth, paint and a touch of mint. Breathtakingly beautiful.

The taste follows the nose with depth, intensity and concentration. Brilliant fruit. Broad, polished tannins. Great wine. 7+ years.

98p   (tasted 2025/11)

Flight II

2001 Barolo, Bartolo Mascarello

The first bottle was off but S generously opened a backup. The nose is open and focused with lots of forest floor aromas, an autumn walk, some dried cherries and hints of orange peel. Very fine.

The taste feels younger than the nose with red and black fruit, chrushed rocks, violets and still stern tannins. Very long. 6+ years.

95p   (tasted 2025/11)

2004 Barolo, Bartolo Mascarello

A very deep, gorgeous nose with notes of Christmas spices, model clay, dried cherries and fir smoke. Very complex.

The taste is broad and refined with stunning fruit, perfect tannins, orange peel, violets and a finish that never ends. Great wine. 8+ years.

97p   (tasted 2025/11)

2006 Barolo, Bartolo Mascarello

A high, dark nose with notes of dried mushrooms, licorice, scorched earth and wet dog. Interesting and fine but not in the league of the 2001 or 2004.

The taste is seedy and structured with warm black fruit, stern tannins and a long, warm finish. Will get better with time?

91p   (tasted 2025/11)

Flight III

2001 Barolo Cascia Francia, Giacomo Conterno

A somewhat mature, deep and dark nose with notes of dried strawberries, cigarette smoke, Langhe earth and fir wood. Just stunning.

The taste is tight and focused with notes of ripe lingonberries, dried strawberries, chocolate biscuits and dried flowers. Very, very long. Great wine. 5+ years.

96p   (tasted 2025/11)

2004 Barolo Cascia Francia, Giacomo Conterno

A somewhat restrained, earthy nose with notes of forest floor, hard cherry candy, iron and violets. Very deep and layered.

The taste is taut and concentrated with notes of bakelite, cherries, forest floor and violets. Perky tannins. Needs more time. Really fine. 8+ years.

95p   (tasted 2025/11)

2006 Barolo Cascia Francia, Giacomo Conterno

We agreed that this bottle have been manhandled somewhere in time. Feel a bit cooked, rather one dimensional and dry. Passable for a glass with food but this is not what a 06 Cascia Francia should be.

No rating   (tasted 2025/11)

1999 Barolo Cascia Francia, Giacomo Conterno

As a replacement for the 06 this perfect wine was poured. The nose is bottomless deep, complex and utterly gorgeous with notes of sweet violets, leather, red cherries, asphalt and dried roses. 

The taste is a perfect combination of refinement, purity and authority. Boatloads of hard cherry candy, tobacco, roses and licorice. The finish never ends. Still very, very young. 7+ years.

99p   (tasted 2025/11)

2018 Barolo Badarina, Bruna Grimaldi

2018 Barolo Badarina, Bruna Grimaldi

A very deep, balsamic nose with notes of ripe red cherries, licorice, rosehips and paint. Tight and fine. A touch of iron.

The taste is young and focused with notes of hard cherry candy, cherry pips and Langhe earth. Stern tannins. A very fine saline note in the finish. 7+ years.

93p   (tasted 2025/11)