2008 Fontanafredda Barolo Vigna La Rosa, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$98.00USD

A great showing for this wine.  Purple in color with ruby swirls.  The nose is dusty with cherries.  On the palate, medium tannins.  Cherries and tart cherries.  Some complexity.  Good finish.  This is closing in on peak but still has a bit to go.  Still, it is drinking quite well.  It is a more feminine take on a Barolo but that is not to say light or weak.  It will easily go another ten to twelve years.  This will work well with roasted fowl.  

2015 Vietti Barolo Castiglione, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$45.00USD

This is always a great value in Barolo.  Of course, this is still quite young, but this is drinking well.  Ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries and anise.  With air, a bit of rose comes out.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Medium tannins.  Plenty of cherry fruit.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This will surely continue to develop for five to ten more years but I am not sure if it gets better.  It will work well with cassoulets and roasts.  

2009 Elio Altare Barolo Vigneto Arborina, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$75.00USD

One of my favorite Barolos.  Still, slightly to the modern side (as that distinction means less and less).  At age 11, this is still young but drinking great.  Ruby in color, purple at the core.  The nose has tar, black cherries and cherries.  With air, some dusty rose notes.  On the palate, this has a lovely texture.  Still tannic.  Lots of cherry fruit, some black cherries with some underlying spices.  This wine is very lively.  Long finish.  It is drinking well but may still improve a bit.  Either way, it should be good for another fifteen years at least.  It will work great with mushroo

2000 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Cascina Francia, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2000
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$250.00USD

This bottle had been opened and allowed to breathe for 8 hours prior to drinking.  It probably needed more.  Ruby in color, slight browning.  The nose has dried roses, slight tar, and cherries.  There was also a slight oxidized/caramel quality to this.  On the palate, this is very firm tannins.  Fresh and dried cherries.  Anise on the finish.  Very traditional in style.  Good balance.  This needs food, pasta with a mushroom and cream sauce perhaps.  I don't think it improves but a bit more cellaring or air wouldn't hurt.  Drink over the next ten years.  

2004 M. Marengo Barolo Brunate, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2004
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

This was a group favorite at a recent wine tasting group of Barolo's.  It is still somewhat tight and needed some air.  Ruby in color, slightly orange at the rim.  The nose has some volatile acidity but perhaps just enough to raise the aromatics.  Ir has raspberries, dust, and slight rose petals.  On the palate, this has firm tannins.  Cherry fruit with underlying tar/minerals.  Very nice texture.  Good balance.  For my tastes, this needs a few more years and should be good for fifteen or so years after that.  It will work well with stews and casseroles but it really will work better with f

2010 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo Gramolere, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This is just coming into maturity.  A bit earlier than expected and that's why its good to check in on wines every so often (or read others tasting notes).  Light ruby in color, clear and bright.  A very pretty perfumed nose of cherries, black cherries, menthol and slight tar.  Medium bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, black cherry fruit with char/smoke and a slight candied note.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  This is just starting to enter its prime drinking window and should be here for the next ten to fifteen years.  It might still improve a bit.  This will be great with pasta in a

2018 G.D. Vajra Langhe Nebbiolo Claré J.C., Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2018
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$20.00USD

This was a new wine for me.  It was very good, but also very unique and interesting.  The back label said it is made in the style of Nebbiolo that was consumed in the 17th and 18th centuries.  It is lighter, crisp, and with a light fizz.  Ruby in color, a bit frothy, but clear and bright.  Too dark to be a rose, but very light for a red.  On the nose, this has nice cherry fruit along with a slight sandalwood note.  Very energetic on the palate with good acidity.  The cherry flavors carry thru.  Slightly effervescent.  Not too unlike a quality Lambrusco but perhaps more bass tones (if that m

2004 Renato Ratti Barolo Marcenasco, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2004
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$56.00USD

This is in a great place right now.  Ruby in color with slight browning.  The nose has cherries, slight raspberries, slight tar and slight forest floor.  Medium bodied.  Tannins are mostly resolved.  On the palate, nice cherry notes with some forest floor underneath.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This is at peak.  it should be consumed over the next five to seven years.  It goes great with pasta and cream sauce and will work well with meat based dishes too.  

2013 San Biagio Barolo Sorano, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2013
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-

This is an affordably priced Barolo ($30 on release) that is reasonably modern in style.  Ruby in color, mostly clear and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, slight floral nose and baking spice.  On the palate, this is accessible if not at peak.  It has nice cherry fruit.  There is a fair amount of oak showing and medium firm tannins which suggests another three to five years would be beneficial (and what one should expect for a Barolo in this class).  It is food friendly with a nice bit of acidity.  Pasta in a cream sauce would work well.  This should be good for the next ten to fifte

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