A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - Visit To Flavio Saglietto

This was one of those visits. More pics than tasting notes. Why?

 

Because Flavio is cut from the same mold as Loris (Cascina del Monastero - Barolista: A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - Visits To Cascina Del Monastero & Mauro Molino), Nicola and Elio (Trediberri / Elio Sandri - Barolista: The Barolo Boys In Piedmont - Visits To Trediberri & Elio Sandri) and Silvano (Silvano Bolmida - Barolista: A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - Visit To Silvano Bolmida).

From the time you arrive until you leave you are taken on a intense, energy filled ride full of insight, opions, observations and predictions. Always with a glimpse in the eye.

If you´re lucky you sometimes get the chance to ask a question. :-)

But these visits are an absolute treat and I have enjoyed every minute of them. And also learned a lot.

With Flavio I tasted Dolcetto, Barbera and Barolo from tank and cask, all in all 12 different wines in different stages. The Baroli was 2022, 2021 and 2020.

The estate is on the small side, 5,5 ha producing ca 22.000 bottles per year. First vintage with Flavio´s name on the label was the 1996.

If you´re visiting Flavio, which you should, don´t trust Google maps, I found myself in the middle of the vineyards before getting on the right track, thanks to Flavio. Google thought I had a tractor...

We eventually sat down and Flavio opened a bottle of his 2019 Barolo.

2019 Barolo Cerequio

A cool, handsome nose with notes of red cherries, Langhe earth, roses and hints of chocolate. Very fine.

The taste is young and tight with notes of ripe cherries, licorice, asphalt and chocolate biscuits. Very long. 8+ years.

92p   (tasted 2023/07)

A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - Visit To Ribote

The Ribote estate is located in Dogliani. I met up with Christina who showed me the vines, the cellar and poured the wines below.

Bruno Porra, who´s name is on the label, is Christinas and Fabrizios father, who started the estate 45 years ago. Ribote was the name of the estate before Bruno took over and the name was kept. 

The artist who has drawn the labels is the same artist who have made labels for Vietti, Bruno Rocca, Marziano Abbona and many others.

2022 Langhe Bianco

Made from Viognier. A cool, herbal nose with notes of lemon peel, steel and banana peel. A fine spicy scent.

The taste is young and seedy with notes of dry passionfruit, lemon peel and herbs. A very good acidity.

87p   (tasted 2023/07)

2022 Dogliani San Luigi

Bottled four months ago. The nose is fresh and upfront with notes of sloe berries, iron and violets. Very good.

The taste is tight and dry with a good blueberry fruit and notes of iron and violets. Maybe a tad short.

86p   (tasted 2023/07)

2022 Dogliani Ribote

A high, intense nose with a fine mix of raspberries and blueberries with additional notes of chrushed rocks and wild flowers. Very, very good.

The taste is taut and lively with very fine tannins and juicy blueberry fruit. Long and fine. 

90p   (tasted 2023/07)

2019 Dogliani Superiore

A deep, dark, gorgeous nose with notes of ripe damsons, blackberries, almost a meaty note and a touch of mint. Very fine.

The taste is ripe and refined with notes of candied cherries, dry licorice, bakelite and sweet violets. Very fine tannins. 8+ years.

92p   (tasted 2023/07)

2019 Langhe Barbera Iris

A open, warm, spicy nose with notes of wild raspberries, scorched earth and Finnish licorice. Very good.

The taste is high and warm with a good raspberry fruit, a fine acidity and a long, soft finish.

87p   (tasted 2023/07)

2021 Langhe Nebbiolo

A cool, fresh Nebbiolo nose with notes of cinnamon, roses and ripening red cherries. Very, very good.

The taste is elegant and crisp with notes of ripening flowers, spices and minerals. Silky low keyd tannins. 4+ years.

91p   (tasted 2023/07)

2018 Barolo

A finely perfumed nose with notes of wild strawberries, paint, dry licorice and forest floor. Lovely.

The taste is young and seedy with a fine intensity and notes of red cherries, dried strawberries, earth and a touch of mint. Very fine. 8+ years.

93p   (tasted 2023/07)

A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - Visit To Cascina Bongiovanni

This small winery. located in Castiglione Falletto, consists of 7 ha and produces ca 50.000 bottles per year. Marina took patience of me being late and poured the estates wines.

2022 Langhe Arneis

A fresh, juicy Arneis with the typical white pepper scent alongside notes of herbs and white currants. Very, very good.

The taste is pure and upfront with notes of basil, lemon pepper and minerals. One of the better Arneis tasted in a long time.

90p   (tasted 2023/07)

2021 Dolcetto d´Alba

A young, sappy nose with notes of blueberry bushes, chrushed rocks and bakelite. Very good.

The taste is pure and basic with cool tannins and a fine blueberry fruit. For everyday drinking.

86p   (tasted 2023/07)

2021 Dolcetto di Diano d´Alba

The Dolcetto from Diano d´Alba is another creature. This has more meat on its bone with a fine structure, very good ripe blueberry fruit, violets and smoke.

The taste is tight and refined with a fine mix of raspberries and blueberries, smoke and sweet violets. Very, very good.

90p   (tasted 2023/07)

2020 Barbera d´Alba

A fine, slightly meaty Barbera with notes of smoke, herbs and rioe raspberries. Very, very good.

The taste is warm and upfront with juicy red fruit and av very good acidity.

87p   (tasted 2023/07)

2020 Langhe Rosso Faletto

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Barbera and Nebbiolo. Thankfully these kind of blends has almost vanished from the Langhe scene. Not that this is a bad wine. Far from it, but the grapes in a way blends together and I don´t get a distinct character. Good fruit, nicely made, got to give it that.

88p   (tasted 2023/07)

2020 Langhe Nebbiolo

The grapes comes from Castiglione Falletto and Monforte. Short maceration with shows itself in a upfront, juicy nose with notes of fresh cherries, flowers and paint.

The taste is silky and flowery with polished tannins and ripe cherry fruit. Long, balanced and very fine.

91p   (tasted 2023/07)

Marina, justifiably proud over the wines

2019 Barolo

The 19 Barolo shows of a open, red fruited nose with notes of strawberries, sweet earth, herbs and smoke.

The taste is young and finely balanced with notes of sandelwood, dried flowers and cherries. A long, sandy finish. 6+ years.

92p   (tasted 2023/07)

2018 Barolo Pernanno

The 18 Pernanno is a beauty. The nose is handsome and velvety with notes of hard cherry candy, forest floor and violets. Very fine.

The taste is concentrated and refined with silky tannins, gorgeous fruit and a long, long finish. Give this 8+ years and my score will be conservative.

94p   (tasted 2023/07)

A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - Visit To Damilano

This very large producer, with 58 ha of land, has a long history. Giuseppe Borgogno started the winery in 1890. Now they put out +300.000 bottles per year.

I was keen to taste if quantity and quality could go hand in hand. Anita at the Damilano cantina took great care of me on my visit.

2017 Millesimato

A blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. A good, buttery nose with notes of dark biscuits, nuts and yellow fruits. 

The taste is medium bodied with fine bubbles and notes of biscuits, ripe lemons and grass. A good acidity. 

86p   (tasted 2023/07)

2019 Barolo Del Commune di Serralunga

The first vintage of this commune wine from Serralunga. The nose is open and nice but lacks a bit of focus. Notes of dried strawberries and dusty earth.

The taste is dry and nicely structured but the fruit is hidden and doesn´t show itself. A good finish though. 

85p   (tasted 2023/07)

2019 Barolo Cannubi

This is good. The nose is deep and tight with a cool cherry fruit and notes of violets, licorice and warm earth. Very, very good.

The taste is young and broad with salivating tannins and notes of paint, ripe cherries and earth. Very long. 8+ years. Damilano rents 10 ha (!) in Cannubi on a long lease. 

92p   (tasted 2023/07)

2018 Barolo Liste

A high, interesting nose with notes of iodine, candied cherries, and a nicely perfumed scent, but doesn´t have a real lift.

The taste is tight and nicely structured with cool tannins but the fruit is a bit subdued. Maybe time will help. 8+ years.

88p   (tasted 2023/07)

2014 Barolo Cannubi

Talking about different vintages, Anita was ever so kind to open a 14 Cannubi. The nose is earthy and mature with notes of cold coffee, dried cherries, licorice and asphalt. Lots of undergrowth. Very, very good.

The taste is more restrained and shy with notes of dried cherries, forest floor, dried flowers and coffee powder. For drinking now and the coming 4+ years.

88p   (tasted 2023/07)

2018 Barolo Lecinquevigne

A tight, structured nose with notes raspberry candy, asphalt, smoke and herbs. A tad foursquare.

The taste is medium bodied with nice enough red fruit but the foursquare note is evident on the palate as well.

84p   (tasted 2023/07)

What to say about this large scaled producer and its Baroli (although I didn´t taste the whole range)?

All wines are cleanly made, there are no faults, they may even be too pure in a sense, because they lack a kind of personality. They feel, even though the quality is there, "made".

A Couple Of Days In Piedmont - Visit To Francesco Borgogno

Arrived earlier today, a quick stop at the apartment I rented, then directly to the first visit. 

The estate consists of 8 ha and they produce ca 45.000 bottles per year. 1958 was there first vintage with the Francesco Borgogno name on the label. They started to vinify Brunate separately in 1986.

The only bottle I have previous tasted from the estate is a 1993 - Barolista: Friday Dinner Barolo - 1993 Barolo Vigneti Brunate, Francesco Borgogno.

Silvia took great care of me and poured these wines.

2021 Barbera d´Alba

The grapes comes from Monforte. The nose is pure, plummy and a tad rich with notes of licorice, ripe raspberries and herbs.

The taste is warm and nicely structured with a good acidity and nice raspberry fruit. 

87p   (tasted 2023/07)

2021 Langhe Nebbiolo

La Morra grapes. A cool, refined nose with notes of red cherries, fresh flowers and smoke. Very good.

The taste is young, fresh and tight with nice red fruit and silky tannins. A good length. 4+ years.

88p   (tasted 2023/07)

40+ years old Garbeletto casks

2019 Barolo Brunate

This is a beauty with a open, floral nose with notes of dried flowers, shoecream and dried cherries. Very fine in a lovely old school way.

The taste is medium bodied and perfumed with notes of paint, mint and dried up cherry liquor. Long and fine. 6+ years.

93p   (tasted 2023/07)

2018 Barolo Castellero

This is the first vintage of the the estates Castellero. Deeper and darker than the Brunate, it displays notes of black cherries, hints of chocolate, bonfire smoke and some violets. Very, very good.

The taste is structured and tight with silky tannins, ripe black cherries and long forest floor filled finish. Needs time, 8+ years.

92p   (tasted 2023/07)

2015 Dolcetto d´Alba Boschi di Berri, Marcarini

2015 Dolcetto d´Alba Boschi di Berri, Marcarini

As good as almost two years ago - Barolista: A 19 Bottle Dolcetto Tasting With Dolcetto Boys & Girls. This ungrafted Dolcetto offers up a deep, violet scented nose alongside notes of iron, blackberries and a lovely perfumed aroma. Very fine.

The taste is young and still tight with notes of licorice, iron, blueberries and incense. Silky tannins that promises a long life. 

92p   (tasted 2023/06)

A Bottle Of Bubbly - NV Ultradition Rosé, Laherte Frères

NV Ultradition Rosé, Laherte Frères

This 100% Pinot Meunier sports a upfront, fine nose with notes of passionfruit, peach, bloodgrape, smoke and sweet minerals. Very, very good.

The taste is tight and focused with notes of grape, red currants, minerals and slate. A very fine salivating acidity. 6-8 gr dosage. 4+ years.

91p   (tasted 2023/06)

A Corton-Charlemagne & Corton Dinner

NV Mes Favorites VV, Marc Hebrart

A fine, bread filled nose with notes of assorted nuts, lemon licorice and lily of the valley. A fine depth.

The taste is tight and elegant with a fine acidity, lots of yellow fruit and a long, dry finish. Very, very good. 4+ years.

91p   (tasted 2023/06)

The Whites

1992 Corton-Charlemagne, La Maison Rouget

A large scaled, mature nose with notes of autumn apples, hay, cold tea and earth. A bit over the hill.

The taste is dry and mature with earthy notes and a tad foursquare finish. A fine warmth though.

85p   (tasted 2023/06)

1996 Corton-Charlemagne, Verget

A deep, perfectly mature nose with notes of candied lemons, grass, sweet minerals and butter biscuits. Lovely.

The taste is structured and fine, still on the young side of things, with a great acidity and mouthfeel. A great bottle of Chardonnay.

95p   (tasted 2023/06)

1999 Corton-Charlemagne, Sauvageot-Poidevin

A open, mature nose with notes of red apples, cap gun smoke and minerals. A fine depth.

The taste is dry and mature with notes of red apples, earth, minerals and dried flowers. Broad. 

90p   (tasted 2023/06)

2001 Corton-Charlemagne, Domaine Champy

A large scaled, flowery nose with notes of yellow plums, peaches and ripe flowers. A bit all over the place.

The taste is narrow and good with a fine acidity, good yellow fruit and a medium long, dry finish. A tad weak for a Grand Cru.

87p   (tasted 2023/06)

2006 Corton-Charlemagne, Château Génot-Boulanger

A deep, complex nose with notes of lemon peel, cap gun smoke, iodine and sweet minerals. Very fine.

The taste is rich and rewarding with notes of matchbox, lemon cream, steel and minerals. High and fine. 4+ years.

93p   (tasted 2023/06)

2007 Corton-Charlemagne, Domaine Michel Voarick

A rich, concentrated nose with notes of yellow plums, dry caramel, almond paste and earth. Very fine.

The taste is bold and multi layered with notes of candle grease, lemon candy, ripe pears and a touch of mint. Very long. This is fine.

94p   (tasted 2023/06)

2011 Corton-Charlemagne, Alex Gambal

A deep, spicy nose with notes of ripening apricots, oranges, dry fudge and minerals. Very, very good.

The taste is tight and intense with a very fine acidity, lots of sweet minerals and a long, seedy finish. 5+ years

92p   (tasted 2023/06)

2016 Corton-Charlemagne, Jonathan Banvalot

A high, pure nose with notes of lemon peel, lemon ice cream, lime fudge and chrushed rocks. Complex and fine.

The taste is racy and refined with lots of energy and focus. Lemon cream, chalk and steel. Very long. 8+ years.

93p   (tasted 2023/06)

2018 Corton-Charlemagne, Buisson-Charles

A deep, young, tight nose with notes of tangerines, basil, chrushed rocks and oranges. I tad restrained. Very, very good.

The taste is racy and balanced with locked up fruit, a high acidity and a long, lingering finish. 8+ years.

91p   (tasted 2023/06)

2008 Corton-Charlemagne, Bouchard

S brought this bottle to complement the tasting. And it sure did! A handsome, elegant nose with notes of yellow pears, birch leaves. butter biscuits and wet cement. Very fine.

The taste is refined and buttery with a very silky mouthfeel, a cleansing acidity and a long, fresh finish. Still young. Really fine. 5+ years.

94p   (tasted 2023/06)

The Reds

1976 Corton, Emile Chandesais

Lots of forest floor, dried strawberries and some aged meat oozes up from the glass. A fine smoky note also. Fully mature.

The taste is soft and round but with a fine low keyed intensity and notes of dried strawberries, dried herbs and old tobacco. 

88p   (tasted 2023/06)

1983 Corton Clos du Roi, Domaine Dubreuil-Fontaine

This 40 year old Corton shows of a elegant, maturing nose with notes of dried raspberries, warm sand, mushrooms and chocolate biscuits. Very, very good.

The taste is nicely structured with a fine dry note, a very good acidity and notes of dried raspberries, tobacco, forest floor and fir wood. Could still be kept for 6+ years.

92p   (tasted 2023/06)

1990 Corton, Michel Vidal

A deep, focused nose with notes of wild raspberries, wet undergrowth, herbs and dark flowers. Very, very good.

The taste is tight and seedy with notes of ripe red currants, raspberries, thai basil and licorice. Very long. 5+ years.

92p   (tasted 2023/06)

1995 Corton Greves, Jean Claude Belland

A restrained, tight nose with notes of earth, dry tobacco and ripening raspberries. A tad foursquare.

The taste is better with refinement and notes of ripe red currants, warm earth, herbs and tobacco. A fine lenght. Needs time. 8+ years.

88p   (tasted 2023/06)

2003 Corton Clos de Vergennes, Domaine Cachat-Ocquidant

A young, upfront nose with notes of coca-cola, ripe red apples, asphalt and hot earth. Very good in a generous way.

The taste is more structured and backward with notes of ripening strawberries, fresh herbs and forest floor. A fine acidity. 8+ years.

91p   (tasted 2023/06)

NV Moscatel de Setubal, J. M. da Fonseca

According to the seller from the 60´s but who knows? Yummy all the same. The nose is deep, semi sweet and filled with assorted nuts, dry caramel, touch of iodine and damsons. Very, very good.

The taste is big and bold with generous amounts of candied orange peels, fried nuts, damsons and detergent. Long and complex. Could probably go on for 20+ years.

92p   (tasted 2023/06)

2020 Côte-Rôtie, Saint Cosme

2020 Côte-Rôtie, Saint Cosme

Young and spicy, this beauty shows of notes of plums, blueberries, rubber, dark candle grease and black pepper. Very, very fine.

The taste is tight and balanced with notes of ripe blueberries, cement, dried meat and dried flowers. Silky tannins. Long and lingering. Really fine. 6+ years.

Tasted after the two stunning flights of Barolista: 1999 Côte-Rôtie, Guigal - d´Ampuis, La Mouline, La Turque & La Landonne & Barolista: 1998 Côte-Rôtie, Guigal - d´Ampuis, La Mouline, La Turque & La Landonne

94p   (tasted 2023/05)

2013 Barolo Bussia Luigi Arnulfo, Costa di Bussia - Tenuta Arnulfo

2013 Barolo Bussia Luigi Arnulfo, Costa di Bussia - Tenuta Arnulfo

Test driving another 13 Barolo (2013 that is...). This Bussia sports a luscious, old school nose with notes of tar & roses, paint, dried cherries and lots of rosehips. Forward and very fine.

On the palate it is more restrained and younger with perky tannins and notes of ripe lingonberries, cherries, asphalt and hints of tobacco. A very fine dry finish. 7+ years.

Maybe my 1900 Barolo from this estate is ready for prime time drinking..?

92p   (tasted 2023/06)

Some Bottles From Dominio de Pingus

I have some backed up tasting notes from our monthly tasting group gatherings. These bottles were tasted in April.

All tasted double blind as usual. Tempranillo was not one of the grapes that came up in the discussions before it was revealed what the theme was...

2009 PSI, Dominio de Pingus

A cool, smoky nose with notes of dried black berries, earth, herbs and sun warm rocks. Very, very good.

The taste is seedy and somewhat mature with notes of red currants, earth and root vegetables. Soft tannins. 

89p   (tasted 2023/04)

2010 PSI, Dominio de Pingus

A fine, earthy nose with notes of red and black currants, iron and earth. Some maturity.

The taste is tight and nicely focused with a high acidity and fine black fruit. Warm herbs and chrushed rocks. 3+ years.

90p   (tasted 2023/04)

2012 PSI, Dominio de Pingus

A restrained, earthy nose with notes of dried raspberries, undergrowth and dried flowers. A tad sparse.

The taste is seedy and dry with notes of lingonberries, earth and dry tobacco. Good but a a little short in the finish.

85p   (tasted 2023/04)

2018 PSI, Dominio de Pingus

A fine, spicy nose with notes of smoke, ripe red and black berries, dusty earth and tobacco. Very fine.

The taste is tight and balanced with silky tannins, ripe black fruit and a long, warm finish with a fine intensity. 5+ years.

92p   (tasted 2023/04)

2018 Flor de Pingus, Dominio de Pingus

A deep, nicely concentrated nose with notes of ripe black fruit, scorched earth, leather and dark flowers. Some oaky notes in the background. Very fine.

The taste is structured and fine with gorgeous red fruit, sweet minerals, silky tannins and a very fine balance. Very long. A very fine warmth. 7+ years.

94p   (tasted 2023/04)

1999 Côte-Rôtie, Guigal - d´Ampuis, La Mouline, La Turque & La Landonne

The second flight on this fantastic evening.

1999 Côte-Rôtie Château d´Ampuis, Guigal

A pure, nicely concentrated nose with notes of violets, ripe blueberries, sun warm stones and dried meat. A touch of metal also. Very fine.

The taste is structured and elegant with seedy black fruit, silky tannins and a long, cool finish. Still on the young side of things. 5+ years.

93p   (tasted 2023/05)

1999 Côte-Rôtie La Mouline, Guigal

Almost perfect. The nose is a wonder of complexity, refinement and deliciousness. Notes of vanilla cooked blackberries, violets, a petrol station in the distance, shoe polish and white pepper. Stunning.

The taste is tight and high with brilliant structure, balance and a length that goes on for minutes. Everything is in place. It just needs another 8+ years to achieve everything its capable of. 

99p   (tasted 2023/05)

1999 Côte-Rôtie La Turque, Guigal

A deep, refined nose with notes of scorched earth, blueberries, bakelite, dark cookie dough and tobacco. Very, very fine.

The taste is tight and focused with gorgeous notes of blueberries, violets, bakelite, dried meat and chrushed rocks. A very fine warmth in the long, long finish. 8+ years.

96p   (tasted 2023/05)

1999 Côte-Rôtie La Landonne, Guigal

A very deep, restrained nose with notes of fir wood, rubber, ripe blueberries, herbs and black pepper. Gorgeous.

The taste is very tight and concentrated with notes of ripe blueberries, asphalt, dark tobacco, dried flowers and violets. The finish is counted in minutes. Evolves at a snails pace...

98p   (tasted 2023/05)

2015 Pinot Noir, Failla

2015 Pinot Noir, Failla

At 8 years of age, this is a beauty. The nose oozes up from the glass with notes of ripe strawberries, moist earth, Christmas spices and some semi rotten vegetables. Gorgeous.

The taste is round and complex with a very fine dried up sweetness and notes of incense, dried strawberries, forest floor and hints of tobacco. I would say fully mature and on top of its game.

95p   (tasted 2023/05)

2007 Barolo Riserva Vigna Della Serra, Feyles

2007 Barolo Riserva Vigna Della Serra, Feyles

A deep, forest filled nose with additional notes of violets, paint, asphalt and assorted herbs. Has started its way to maturity.

The taste is old school with chewable tannins, fine dried red fruits and a nice acidity. A fine dried up sweetness. Long and balanced. 5+ years. Last tasted six years ago.

92p   (tasted 2023/05)