Barolo

2007 Marcarini Barolo Brunate – Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (11/16/2011) Strawberries, rose petals, a hint of exotic spices and licorice. Restrained and elegant, with great balance, not giving everything at the moment… best on the second day but at the end of the evening closing down. Wait a few years. (91 points)

2006 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo Monvigliero – Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (3/16/2011) Herbs (mint, rosemary) and hints of red fruit candy and red berries on the initially closed, but classy nose. On the palate red fruits (mainly sweet and sour cherries and strawberries), mint and still biting dusty tannins. Reticent, but promising. Let’s see how this evolves in the glass… The > Read more …

2005 Azienda Agricola Elvio Cogno Barolo Ravera – Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (11/6/2010) Restrained, brooding nose of black and red fruits, with just a hint of exotic spices and aromatic herbs. Red fruits, sweet, soft tannins, cherry-like acidity and exotic spices on the very balanced palate. Needs about five years I think. (91 points)

2005 Podere Rocche dei Manzoni Barolo Rocche – Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (11/28/2009)Dusty tannins, cherries, other red berries, cinchona bark… very primary, was best on the third day after opening the bottle, with no signs of oxidation. Not a complex wine, and rather in a modern style, but lots of tasty fruit, with some depth. For the price, a great > Read more …

2004 Renato Corino Barolo Vigneto Rocche – Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (12/20/2008) Nice, aromatic, brooding nose with red fruit (sweet cherries), fruit syrup, kirsch and a hint of chocolate. On the palate sweet cherries, kirsch, milk chocolate, spices and still a fair amount of oak. Very, very young, but nonetheless very tasty after an hour or two in the glass. > Read more …