2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Saint Jean d´Ardières

2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Saint Jean d´Ardières

For me an unknown producer. Bought in a mixed case with a lot of single bottles, just for fun. Some have been poured down the drain upon opening, but this was a nice surprise.

The nose is soft, mature and warm with notes of dried raspberries, undergrowth, candle grease and thyme. Very good in a one-track sense.

The taste is robust yet silky and warm with notes of dried raspberried, dry licorice, earth and herbs. A fine structure. Perfectly mature. A great Wednesday drink.

87p   (tasted 2022/05)

Two Dolcetto d´Alba - From Bruna Grimaldi & Roberto Voerzio

2019 Dolcetto d´Alba San Martino, Bruna Grimaldi

A fine, sandy nose with notes of ripe blueberries, blue skiwax, iron and bakelite. Very, very good.

The taste is fresh and upfront with notes of blueberries, ink, asphalt and violets. Fine, silky tannins. 3+ years.

88p   (tasted 2022/05)

2019 Dolcetto d´Alba Priavino, Roberto Voerzio

A deep, spicy nose with notes of dried strawberries, asphalt, damsons and forest floor. Very fine.

The taste is tight and fine with notes of rosehips, iron, dry licorice and a dried up blueberry pie. Very long. 6+ years.

91p   (tasted 2022/05)

1986 Château de la Rivière

1986 Château de la Rivière

From a magnum. This bottle had a tiny seepage so I felt the need to open it, poor me...:-) It turned out to be a great drinking, mature Bordeaux, maybe a tad more evolved than would have been expected, given earlier bottles of 86 Rivière, see below.

The nose is large scaled, open and velvety with notes of fresh stables, old leather, shoe polish, tobacco and violets. Very, very good.

The taste is dry and mature with notes of cold coffee, autumn leaves, earth and violets. A long, warm finish. Drinking perfectly today, but I bet that my remaining magnums have more to give.

88p   (tasted 2022/04)

Other vintages of Rivière tasted:

Barolista: Two Vintages Of Château de La Rivière (1989 & 1995)

Barolista: Vacation Wines - No 23 - 1986 Château De La Riviére

Barolista: Me & My Magnum - 1985 Château De La Rivière

Barolista: 1986 Château Tahbilk & 1986 Château De La Rivière

Barolista: 2001 Château De La Rivière

Barolista: Another Lovely Example Of A Mature Bordeaux (1990)

Barolista: Tasting Dinner With Vintages Ending With A "5" (1985)

2010 Château Coufran

2010 Château Coufran

A fine maturity on the nose with notes of red and black currants, autumn leaves, ink and dry tobacco. Very good.

The taste is classic and fine with notes of dry tobacco, leather and cold coffee. A fine dryness in the finish. Fully mature.

87p   (tasted 2022/05)

Spring Tasting Dinner

A couple of weeks ago we had our biannual wine tasting dinner in our tasting group. H and yours truly was in charge of flight one, which always is Champagne with some accompanying food. 

The rest of the bottles were tasted double blind. 

Flight I

2008 Cuvée Paradis, Alfred Gratien

A slight mature nose with notes of red apples, wet earth, almond paste and dried flowers. Deep and fine.

The taste is dry and refined with notes of red apples, chalk, minerals and fried nuts. A brisk acidity. Energetic. 4+ years. 65% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir.

92p   (tasted 2022/04)

2008 William Deutz, Deutz

A very deep, salivating nose with notes of grilled lemons, cigarette smoke, hand cream and chrushed rocks. Lovely.

The taste is tight and focused with notes of lemon cream, ripe flowers, wet stones and a hint of ginger. Aristocratic. A brilliant acidity. 7+ years.

95p   (tasted 2022/04)

NV Platine, Nicolas Maillart

A somewhat restrained nose with notes of chrushed rocks, dried red currants and autumn leaves. Good but rather simple given the company.

The taste feels younger with notes of red apples, gravel and a stern acidity. 57% Pinot Noir, 28% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Meunier.

86p   (tasted 2022/04)

2002 Sir Winston Churchill, Pol Roger

A large scaled nose with some maturity and lovely notes of dry fudge, wet asphalt, cement, almond cake and tangerines. Gorgeous.

The taste is silky and very long with notes of dried orange peel, chrushed rocks, sand and salted grilled lemons. Very long. Very handsome. 4+ years.

95p   (tasted 2022/04)

Flight II

2015 Puligny-Montrachet Clos de la Mouchere, Domaine Henri Boillot

A deep, creamy nose with notes of sun warm grass, butter fudge, hand cream and lemons. Very fine.

The taste is rich and salty with notes of lemon cream, birch leaves, dry fudge and minerals. A very fine acidity. Very long. 6+ years. 

93p   (tasted 2022/04)

2011 Criots-Batard-Montrachet, Henri Boillot

A chalky, refined nose with notes of lemon peel, touch of ginger, smoke and fennel seeds. Very fine.

The taste is cool and elegant with a brilliant acidity and notes of lemon peel, birch leaves, butter biscuits and lots of chalk. Very long. 6+ years.

95p   (tasted 2022/04)

2018 Estate Reserve Viognier, Lismore

A large scaled, open nose with notes of yellow flowers, yellow plums, wool and a hint of detergents. Very, very good.

The taste is big and spicy with notes of lemon cream, dried apricots, chrushed rocks and grass. A fine dryness in the end.

90p   (tasted 2022/04)

2020 Condrieu La Doriane, Guigal

A low keyed yet intense nose with notes of ripe flowers, grey pears, almonds, white pepper and grass. Very handsome. 

The taste is tight and seedy with nots of chalk, white currants, grass and hints of dried up honey. Very long and refined. Lovely.

93p   (tasted 2022/04)

Flight III

2017 Schist Syrah, Mullineaux

A deep, black nose with notes of black peppered black plums, chrushed rocks, iron and leather. Handsome. Very fine.

The taste is long and structured with notes of bay leaves, licorice, blueberries and black pepper. Silky tannins. Great wine. 7+ years.

93p   (tasted 2022/04)

2016 Keir, Tua Rita

Somewhat restrained on the nose, with notes of dried strawberries, undergrowth and chocolate wafers. Cool and fine.

The taste is tight and racy with notes of ripening blueberries, earth and tobacco ash. Elegant in a subdued way. 5+ years.

91p   (tasted 2022/04)

2006 St Henri Shiraz, Penfolds

A deep, rich, somewhat mature nose with notes of plums, mushroom cream, dry licorice and a hint of mint. Very fine.

The taste is tight and dry with lots of dried blueberries, plums, asphalt and forest floor. A long, sandy finish. Still some tannins to melt away, 5+ years.

94p   (tasted 2022/04)

2004 Hermitage L´Ermite, Chapoutier

Lo and behold, a Chapoutier that caught my fancy. They don´t usually do that. The nose is deep and finely mature with notes of dried blackberries, bonfire smoke, forest floor and dog fur (in a positive way). Multi layered. Very fine.

The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of dried herbs, dried blackberries, undergrowth, hint of chocolate and tobacco. Very, very long. Great wine.

96p   (tasted 2022/04)

Flight IV

1997 Vouvray Moeullex 1er Trie Clos de Bourg, Huet

A round, mature nose with notes of earth, saffron, a rubber carpet and orange peel en masse. Very fine. Complex.

The taste is finely composed and perfectly mature with notes of dried apricots, orange peel, almond paste and detergent. A fine, high acidity. Lovely.

94p   (tasted 2022/04)

1997 Vouvray Moelleux 1et Trie Le Mont, Huet

A deep, refined, somewhat mature nose with notes of red apples, orange peel, wet asphalt and band aid. Very, very fine. Brilliant fruit.

The taste is complex and multi layered with everything in place, the fruit is fantastic, the acidity is high and migthy, the structure is awesome. Almost perfect. Mature but bottles like this could go on for 15+ years.

98p   (tasted 2022/04)

2003 Vouvray Moelleux 1et Trie Le Mont, Huet

A deep, focused nose with notes of dried oranges, candle greases, smoke and fennel. Very fine.

The taste is big and steady with concentration, richness and focus. Lovely fruit and acidity. This will go on for many, many years.

94p   (tasted 2022/04)

2003 Vouvray Moelleux 1et Trie Le Haut-Lieu, Huet

A large scaled, open nose with notes of smoke, sweet minerals, ripe oranges and detergent. Rich and fine.

The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of dried apricots, dried up vanilla ice cream and sweet minerals. A very fine bitter note in the long finish. 6+ years.

92p   (tasted 2022/04)

1996 Château Fonréaud & 1996 Château Lestage

1996 Château Fonréaud

Two bottles from Listrac. I have found memories of bottles from Fonréaud in the 80´s and 90´s but havent tasted anything since then. So this brought memories back. 

The nose is soft and mature with a fine dried up sweetness and notes of pipe tobacco, coffee, bonfire smoke and a hint of dog fur. Very, very good.

The taste is fully mature and a tad dry with notes of dry leather, dried black currants and autumn leaves. Lots of old school Bordeaux charm.

87p   (tasted 2022/05)

1996 Château Lestage

The Lestage is deeper and tighter than the Fonréaud with a fine nose with notes of ripe black currants, plums, iron and violets. Very fine.

The taste is taut and nicely structured with notes of tobacco, plums, graphite and forest floor. Long and fine. Could still develop, 4+ år.

89p   (tasted 2022/05)

2018 Langhe Nebbiolo La Chiusa, Chionetti

2018 Langhe Nebbiolo La Chiusa, Chionetti

This is not your flirty kind of Langhe Nebbiolo. Instead it is deep, restrained and tight with fine notes of red currants, dried strawberries, earth, rosehips and dry licorice. Very, very good.

The taste is young and seedy with notes of hard cherry candy, rosehips, asphalt and dry tobacco. Strict. Not a charmer at this stage but shows a fine potential. Has closed up since last year.

90p   (tasted 2022/04)

Three Times 2016 Barbaresco Starderi

2016 Barbaresco Starderi, Renato Fenocchio

A handsome, elegant nose with notes of red currants, dry licorice, roses and forest floor. Very fine.

The taste is floral and focused with notes of rosehips, red currants, dried strawberries and chrushed rocks. Silky tannins. Long. 6+ years.

93p   (tasted 2022/04

2016 Barbaresco Starderi, Icardi

A big, forward nose with initally some new oak, which on day two was nicely integrated, with additonal notes of hard cherry candy, coffee powder, tobacco and smoke. Very deep.

The taste is tight and structured with notes of cherry chocolate, tobacco, bonfire and earth. Long and distinct. Some oak in the end of the finish, which wasn´t noticable on day two. 8+ years. 

91p   (tasted 2022/04)

2016 Barbaresco Starderi, Traversa

A deep, old fashioned, earthy nose with notes of dried raspberries, root vegetables, old tobacco and a hint of VA, in a positive way. Very fine.

The taste doesn´t apologize and shows a multi layered profile with notes of dried cherries, undergrowth, dog fur, old leather and red beets. Brilliant tannins. Really fine. 6+ years.

94p   (tasted 2022/04)

Another Day - Another Bordeaux - 2006 Château Marojallia

2006 Marojallia

In 2006 just known as Marojallia, now it is Château Marojallia, located in Margaux. The first garage wine of Medoc, just 2,5 ha when the first vintage was relesead in 1999. Owned by Philippe Porcheron, the first vintages was aided by Jean-Luc Thunevin and Murielle Andraud.

The nose soars up from the glass with fine notes of plums, ripe black currants, expensive tobacco, ink and warm hay. Handsome and very fine.

The taste is tight, perky and impressive with notes of ripe black currants, coffee with milk, tiles and leather. The finish is long and finely balanced. Great wine. 5+ years.

94p   (tasted 2022/04)

Drinking Tonight - 1996 Virginie de Valandraud

1996 Virginie de Valandraud

Jean-Luc Thunevin debuted with the 1991 vintage. My kind of guy, he used 200% new oak for the Grand Vin in the 90´s. How much oak that was used for this, the second wine, I don´t know. 

The nose offers up a deep, semi mature nose with notes of plums, pipe tobacco, charcoal and dark flowers. Very, very good. Some low keyed expensive oak notes in the background.

The taste is a tad monolithic but the fruit is dense and sweet with notes of plums, bonfire smoke, ink and tobacco. Long with a fine warmth and a silky dryness in the finish. Sadly my only bottle, this could go on for another 8+ years.

90p   (tasted 2002/04)

2004 Barolo - 5 Producers & 18 Bottles

Oxcheeks & Barolo

A couple of weeks ago, S invited to a tasting. Little did we know that it would be great expose over the 2004 vintage in Barolo, seen through 5 producer.

Upon arrivel I really liked the 04 vintage and the Barolo Boys were in Langhe in 2008 tasting and buying. I did however (and still do) think that the 2001 (and maybe the 2008) vintage is superior. Over time I have been less sure of the 04 as a fine vintage with bottles that really haven´t been as good as I remembered. 

But after this evening I am yet a believer  :-) These wines performed really well and for the most part was nowhere near maturity.

All wines tasted double blind.

Renato Ratti

2004 Barolo Conca

The only corked bottle but still #¤#%¤#"!!

No rating   (tasted 2022/04)

2004 Barolo Marcenasco

A warm, somewhat evolved nose with notes of mushrooms, licorice and chocolate biscuits. Round and good.

The taste is lush and fine with soft tannins and warm fruit. A long, nice finish. Way back in time, between 1965 (first vintage) and 1969, this was a single vineyard Barolo (from Conca) but is since 1970 a blend.

87p   (tasted 2022/04)

2004 Barolo Rocche dell´Annunziata

A deep, taut nose with notes of ripe red cherries, licorice, smoke and a hint of mint. Finely perfumed. A hint of maturity. Very, very good.

The taste is tight and fine with notes of red cherries, asphalt and rosehips. Silky tannins. Long. 4+ years.

90p   (tasted 2022/04)

Marengo

2004 Barolo

A fine, round nose with notes of dark strawberries, earth and sun warm asphalt. A very fine sweetness to the fruit.

The taste is dry and fine with notes of dried strawberries, dried flowers and forest floor. Almost fully mature. Very, very good.

90p   (tasted 2022/04)

2004 Barolo Bricco Viole

A deep, lovely nose with notes of roses, juniper berries, violets (!) and red cherries. Very fine.

The taste is silky and structured with notes of iron, rowan berries, dried flowers and rosehips. Long. 4+ years.

92p   (tasted 2022/04)

2004 Barolo Brunate

A very deep, almost meaty nose with notes of wet cement, ripe cherries, asphalt and rosehips en masse. Very fine.

The taste is broad and tight with lots of ripe red berries, fresh tannins and a long, stern finish. Needs 6+ years. 

93p   (tasted 2022/04)

2004 Barolo Riserva Vecchia Vigna della Brunate

The first vintage of the Brunate Riserva, and its a gorgeous creature. A wonderful, floral, complex nose with notes of iron, ripe red cherries, forest floor and rosehips. Very, very deep.

The taste is massive yet tight and elegant with notes of dried strawberries, earth, iron, asphalt and dried mushrooms. The finish goes on for minutes. 4+ years.

96p   (tasted 2022/04)

Azelia

2004 Barolo

A tight, structured nose with notes of sage, dark cherries and salt licorice. Very, very good.

The taste is seedy and concentrated with notes of hard cherry candy, cherry licorice, tiles and rosehips. Very long. Very fine for a Normale. 5+ years.

92p   (tasted 2022/04)

2004 Barolo Margheria

The Margheria offers up a high, earthy nose with notes of violets en masse, bakelite and ripe strawberries. Just lovely.

The taste is taut and fine with notes of sandelwood, violets, dried cherries and asphalt. Very fine tannins. Great wine. 6+ years.

94p   (tasted 2022/04)

2004 Barolo Bricco Fiasco

A stunner. The nose is bottomless deep and hauntingly beautiful with notes of ripe black cherries, black tea, red lacquer and asphalt. Gorgeous.

The taste is seamless and very, very long with everything, except maturity, in place. Just wait 8+ year and this will be a candidate for perfection. 

96p   (tasted 2022/04)

2004 Barolo San Rocco

Tighter and more withdrawn than the Bricco Fiasco. A very deep, structured nose with black fruit, iron and chrushed rocks. Even with time in the glass this will not budge right now.

The taste is firm and focused with lots of taut tannins and locked in fruit. This needs plenty of time in the cellar, 10+ years.

93p   (tasted 2022/04)

Vietti

2004 Barolo Castiglione

A very deep, open nose with notes of ripe strawberries, earth and rosehips. Very, very good.

The taste is more structured with notes of salmiak, rosehips, dried flowers and asphalt. Long and fine. 4+ years.

92p   (tasted 2022/04)

2004 Barolo Rocche

A very refined, laid back nose with notes of a shady forest, red cherries, dark cookies and hints of charcoal. Very fine.

The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of smoke, ripe cherries, dry licorice and warm gravel. Very long and finely tuned. 7+ years.

94p   (tasted 2022/04)

2004 Barolo Brunate

A lovely nose with notes of sandelwood, sweet cherries, asphalt and rosehips. Very deep. 

The taste is young and focused with notes of ripe cherries, cold coffee, sandelwood and licorice. Very, very long. Silky tannins. 6+ years.

94p   (tasted 2022/04)

2004 Barolo Lazzarito

The Lazzarito oozes up from the glass with stunning notes of smoke, dried up cherry jam, dark flowers and sun warm asphalt. Fantastic. 

The taste is taut and multi layered with notes of hard cherry candy, bonfire smoke, asphalt and rosehips. Lots of tannins but the fruit takes care of them. Really, really fine. 7+ years.

95p   (tasted 2022/04)

Cavallotto

2004 Barolo Bricco Boschis

A deep, intricate nose with notes of ripe cherries, shoe polish, tobacco, cold coffee and lots of roses. Very fine.

The taste is racy and refined with notes of warm tiles, cherry licorice, tobacco and forest floor. Balanced and fine. Silky tannins. Long. 5+ years.

93p   (tasted 2022/04)

2004 Barolo Riserva Vignolo

Pure, deep and elegant, the nose flows up from the glass. Gorgeous fruit. Multilayered. Very fine.

The taste is brilliant with fruit, tannins, acidity and structure in lovely harmony. Just wait 7+ years.

95p   (tasted 2022/04)

2004 Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe

Why not save the best for last? The nose oozes up from the glass with stunning notes of rose petals, iron, dried strawberries, earth and tiles. Seamless. Beautiful.

The taste just got it all - fruit, tannins, acidity in a almost perfect mix. Just wait 8+ years to add the complexity of maturity. Really great juice.

97p   (tasted 2022/04)

A Bottle Of Bubbly - 2012 Extra Brut, Bruno Paillard

2012 Extra Brut, Bruno Paillard

This 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay blend offers up a bready nose with fine notes of dry caramel, freshly washed clothes drying in the wind, ginger and chrushed rocks. Salivating.

The taste is creamy and fine with notes of oranges, dry fudge, lemon cream and sweet minerals. A fine acidity. 6+ years.

91p   (tasted 2022/04)

My Easter Egg Of 2022

Time again to pick up some bottles from the cellar to enjoy over the next couple of days. Notes to follow.

Happy Easter!

My Easter Egg of 2021

My Easter Egg of 2020

My Easter Egg of 2019

My Easter Egg of 2017

My Easter Egg of 2016

My Easter Egg of 2015

My Easter Egg of 2014

My Easter Egg of 2013

My Easter Egg of 2012

Another Notch In The Belt - 2012 Barolo Scarrone Vigna Mandorlo, Fratelli Giacosa

2012 Barolo Scarrone Vigna Mandorlo, Fratelli Giacosa

There are 170 MGA´s (Menzioni Geografiche Agguintive) in Barolo. 26 are not labelled as an MGA.  144 are. I have with this bottle tasted 109 different MGA´s. 35 to go!

Scarrone is a 20,55 ha large MGA in Castiglione Falletto. There are only three producers who makes a Scarrone - Bava, Oddero and Fratelli Giacosa.

The nose is low keyed yet distinct with notes of rowan berries, iron, dried flowers and gravel. Very good in a ascetic way.

The taste is dry and stern in a old fashioned way where earth/rocks are in the forefront rather the fruit. Dry licorice, chrushed rocks, bakelite and shoe polish are noticeable. Long and dry.

87p   (tasted 2022/04)

2018 Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap

2018 Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon, Stags Leap

Big, bold and beautiful, this Cabernet flows up from the glass with notes of ripe black currants, graphite, plums and dark chocolate. Lovely.

The taste is rich and velvety with notes of hard black currant candy, warm tiles, iron and smoke. Long and tight. Juicy fruit. 8+ years. A tasting sample from Vinunic.

93p   (tasted 2022/04)

Three Times Chianti

2019 Chianti Classico, Riecine

A low keyed, elegant nose with notes of hard cherry candy, Falu red paint and a wet forest. Very, very good.

The taste is young and perky with notes of fresh herbs, ripening cherries and some ink. Silky tannins. 4+ years.

88p   (tasted 2022/03)

2008 Chianti Classico Riserva Vigna Castello di Lamole, Le Stinche

A very deep, herbal nose with notes of ripe red cherries, tobacco, sun warm rocks and a hint of cinnamon. Very fine.

The taste is tight and classic Sangiovese with notes of ripe cherries, Tuscan gravel, rosemary and minerals. Finely balanced. Long and lingering. 6+ years.

92p   (tasted 2022/03)

2017 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione Castello Fonterutoli, Mazzei

A gorgeous, classy nose with notes of sweet/sour cherries, sun warm tiles, Tuscab gravel, juniper berries and mahogany. Very deep. Really fine.

The taste is cool and refined with potent, silky tannins and lovely cherry fruit. Aristocratic. Needs 6+ years to really open up. This has a great potential.

94p   (tasted 2022/03)

1993 Chianti Rufina Montesodi, Marchesi di Frescobaldi

1993 Chianti Rufina Montesodi, Marchesi di Frescobaldi

One more nice -93 opened. Somewhat restrined at first but soon opened up with fine notes of undergrowth, dried cherries, dry leather and hints of cooked strawberries. Finely matured. Very good.

The taste is mature, dry and warm with notes of dried cherries, tobacco, old leather and dried herbs. Velvety and fine.

87p   (tasted 2022/04)

A Bottle Of Bubbly - 2012 Millésime, Henriot

2012 Millésime, Henriot

54% Chardonnay, 46% Pinot Noir. The nose is deep and bready with notes of yellow flowers, dark fudge, sun warm rocks and almond paste. Very, very good.

The taste is creamy and cool with fine yellow fruit, a salivating acidity and a long, salty finish. Highly gulpable but lacking a bit in the complexity department for the price tag.

90p   (tasted 2022/04)

1992 Chateau Fourcas Hosten

1992 Chateau Fourcas Hosten

This dependable Listrac has produced a light, easy going 1992. A luncheon claret, to quote Michael Broadbent. The nose is round and mature with notes of dried black currants, hints of barnyard, dry leather and charcoal. Very good.

The taste is slender and dry with notes of tobacco, cold coffee and red currants. Medium bodied, mature and very good.

86p   (tasted 2022/03)

The Barolo Boys In Piedmont - Visit To Roccheviberti

The Barolo Boys soldiers on. Next up, a long-awaited revisit to Roccheviberti. I visited Claudio in August of 2019 - Barolista: A Couple Of Days in Piedmont - Visits To Roccheviberti & Monchiero.

2019 Barbera d´Alba Superiore Vigna Lunga

From the Bricco Boschis vineyard. A deep, spicy, warm nose with notes of ripe raspberries, tobacco and scorched earth. Very fine. Lovely fruit.

The taste is full bodied and finely concentrated with notes of ripe raspberries, Finnish licorice, fresh herbs and hot earth. A very fine acidity. This is a fine old vine Barbera.

92p   (tasted 2022/01)

2020 Dolcetto d´Alba Vigna Melera

A fine, elegant nose with notes of blueberries, iron, chrushed rocks and dried herbs. Very, very good.

The taste is light and fine with polished tannins, fine blueberry fruit and a good length. 

89p   (tasted 2022/01)

2020 Dolcetto d´Alba, Philine Isabelle

We also got to taste this Dolcetto. A seedy, gravelly nose with notes of blueberries, smoke and dry asphalt. Very good.

The taste is spicy and stony with good blueberry fruit, good tannins and a juicy finish. A good structure.

85p   (tasted 2022/01)

2020 Langhe Nebbiolo

An open, fresh nose with notes of dry licorice, violets, asphalt and rosehips. A fine sweetness to the fruit.

The taste is tight and focused with notes of licorice, dark spices, ripe cherries and cool tobacco. Silky tannins. Very, very good.

91p   (tasted 2022/01)

The new bottle design... :-)

2018 Barolo del Commune Castiglione Falletto Vecchie Viti

A handsome, old viney nose with notes of dried cherries, toasted hazelnuts, mushrooms and rosehips. Very fine.

The taste is deep and pure with notes of rosehips, hard cherry candy, licorice and black earth. Very long and fine. 6+ years.

93p   (tasted 2022/01)

2018 Barolo Bricco Boschis

A elegant, smoky nose with notes of ripe red cherries, rosehips, spices and dusty earth. Very fine.

The taste is tight and refined with potent tannins, fresh cherry fruit and a long, distinct finish. Needs time, 8+ years.

92p   (tasted 2022/01)

2017 Barolo del Commune Castiglione Falletto Vecchie Viti

An open, warm and spicy nose with notes of dried up cherry jam, tobacco, Finnish licorice and lots of rosheips.

The taste is large and luscious with notes of ripe cherries, raspberry licorice, tobacco and undergrowth. A fine warmth in the finish. For early drinking. 4+ years.

91p   (tasted 2022/01)

(2017) Sondé

The vintage doesn´t appear on the label due to regulations. Only made in 600 magnums. No Barolo from Bricco Boschis in 2017 so this was made instead. No sulfites at bottling.

The nose is open and rather light but in a nice way, with notes of red currants, gravel, some flowery aromas and assorted spices. Very, very good.

The taste is dry and balanced with notes of damsons, dry cherries, bakelite and dry tobacco. Medium bodied. A fine, cool finish.

88p   (tasted 2022/01)

2017 Langhe Nebbiolo

When the (real) Barolo Boys visits its not unusual that winemakers gets excited and start opening additional bottles. We like that :-)

This 2017 Langhe Nebbiolo has become a beauty with a few years of bottle age. The nose is pure and balanced with notes of red cherries, ripe flowers, dry tobacco and violets. Very fine.

The taste is tight and elegant with notes of wild strawberries, spices, tobacco and a hint of mint. Long finish with silky tannins. I gotta start buying more Langhe Nebbiolo to age!

92p   (tasted 2022/01)

2015 Barolo Bricco Boschis

A deep, meaty, fantastic nose with notes of ripe cherries, spices, furniture polish and tobacco. Very handsome. Great wine.

The taste is tight and focused that needs time to show of its great sweet/sour cherry fruit. Very long with taut tannins. Layers upon layers. 8+ years.

95p   (tasted 2022/01)