The third day of the Giovani Promettenti's tastings at Wellcom's offices in Alba opened with wines from the town of Barolo (from whence the wine Barolo draws its name), followed by those of Castiglione Falletto and Monforte.
To begin with Barolo, we much enjoyed the elegance and roundness of the tannins and the readiness of some of the wines, though Alcohol continues to be a distinctive marker for the vintage, and in some of the wines is over the top.
Castiglione Falletto's wines showed the best, thanks to elegance that doesn't (as all too often happens) come at the expense of power, and also to considerable freshness that always plays a part in making wines ready to drink from the outset.
With Monforte, we had quibbles that we hope will fade with time. At present the 2007 Monforte wines seem to be mostly about immediate impact, with little thought for the future, though we are certain that this impression will fade as they develop.
Immediately after the tasting (and before unmasking the bottles, which we tasted blind) we talked about the wines and selected the 12 (out of 66) that impressed us all, publishing the list immediately. Here you will find the tasting notes for all the wines we tasted, in the order they were poured.
Wines from the Comune of Barolo
Abbona Marziano Terlo Ravera Barolo DOCG
Deep cherry ruby with black reflections. The bouquet is vinous, with some berry fruit and moderate spice, supported by bramble, warmth, alcohol, some cedar, and nose tingling acidity. Quite young. On the palate it's full, with the directness of youth, displaying fairly bright berry fruit supported by cedary tannins and warmth, with moderate acidity that flows into a fairly long dry tannic finish with greenish cedar accents. It's very young, in a middle of the road key, with a fair amount of alcohol, and also oak that will fold in with time.
2 stars
Barone Riccardi Sarmassa Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is muted, though swishing brings up some alcohol with slight berry fruit, slight cedar, and hints of tar, rosa canina and dried flowers as opens. On the palate it's full, and rather languid, with ripe fruit supported by minerality; the tannins are smooth, fairly soft, and moderately rich. A more delicate interpretation that favors finesse over power; it needs time.
2 stars
Borgogno F.lli S&B Cannubi Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black cherry ruby with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is brighter than some and fairly intense, with greenish cedar, leaf tobacco, some spice, and greenish leaf tobacco. It's young, and doesn't display much fruit. On the palate it's tannic, with warmth and cedar more than fruit, flowing into a cedary finish. I found it overly oaked.
1 star
Borgogno Francesco Vigna Brunate Barolo DOCG 2007
Lively almandine ruby with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fresh, bright, and vegetal with some bell pepper and red berry fruit mingled with dusky graphite shaving bitterness and spice. Nice complexity in a youthful key. On the palate it's bright, with lively acidity and tart berry fruit supported by tannins that are warm, and have a youthful burr, flowing into a warm tart finish. Lots of acidity, and the wine will be long lived in a brash key. If you like the style you will enjoy it.
2 stars
Brezza Bricco Sarmassa Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is moderately intense, with some berry fruit, some greenish accents, spice, rhubarb, floral acents, and slight laundry soap. On the palate it's medium bodied and more mineral than acidic, with moderately intense berry fruit supported by minerality and dry splintery tannins that flow into a mineral tannic finish. The fruit falls out in mid stride, and I found myself wishing there were more. It may do interesting things in the future, because the interaction between tannin and minerality is interesting.
1 star
Brezza Sarmassa Barolo DOCG 2007
An IGP Selection
Deep almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, with floral accents and berry fruit mingled with graphite shaving bitterness, some dark chocolate, spice, alcohol, leaf tobacco, and all supporting tart acidity and moderate berry fruit On the palate it's fairly rich, bright berry fruit supported by smooth tannins and fairly tart berry fruit acidity, the tannins have slight burr and underlying mineral warmth, and flow into a clean bright slightly tannic finish with lasting fruit. Pleasant in a fairly traditional key.
2 stars
Brezza Cannubi Barolo DOCG 2007
An IGP Selection Deep black almandine with black reflections almandine rim. The bouquet has berry fruit supported by cedar, some prune, greenish vegetal accents, some spice, and alcohol; it's brooding, in an airy sort of way, and also in mid stride. On the palate it's bright, with moderately intense sour cherry fruit supported by mineral acidity and by dry slightly splintery tannins that lead into a long mineral finish with dry tannic underpinning moderate fruit, and considerable warmth. It's pleasant in a scrappy mineral key, and will be long lived, becoming ethereal. If you like the style you will enjoy it very much.
2 stars
Ceretto Bricco Rocche Brunate Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine ruby with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is moderately intense, with cedar and some spice, warmth, some alcohol, not much fruit. Rather, greenish accents and heather with warmth, slight leather, and hints iodine. On the palate it's ample, with moderate plum cherry fruit supported by dry tannins and by brighter than expected mineral sour berry fruit acidity tart enough to bring to mind green grapes, flows into a long clean finish.
2 stars
Ceretto Zonchera Barolo DOCG 2007
An IGP Selection
Deep almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, with balsam, mint, red berry fruit, some rhubarb, licorice root, slight brown sugar, and warmth. On the palate it's ample, smooth, and riper than some, with cherry plum fruit supported by moderately intense tannins that are smooth, and flow into a warm tannic finish supported by moderate acidity. I'd have liked a little more force to the tannins, but it does display pleasing grace and finesse.
2 stars
Comm. G. B. Burlotto Vigneti Cannubi Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, with floral accents and leaf tobacco mingled with sea salt and herbs that bring gravy to mind, warmth, some vegetal accents, and spice. On the palate it's full, with ripe cherry plum fruit supported by plum acidity and tannins that are smooth and moderately intense, flow into a warm plum cherry finish with deft tannic underpinning. Quite young, but promises well.
2 stars
Fenocchio Giacomo Cannubi Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is rich, with cherry fruit that has some jammy accents spice, vegetal notes, some leather, and slight leaf tobacco. Graceful. On the palate it's quite (unexpectedly, even) dry, with moderate fruit supported by tongue drying tannins that flow into a cedary finish with moderate minerality. I found it overly dry on the palate. A pity, because the nose is pleasant.
1 star
Gagliardo Cannubi Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is powerful, and penetrating, with dusky greenish leather and some animal notes mingled with wood that is slightly musty, vegetal notes, and not much fruit. On the palate it's ripe, with greenish prune fruit supported by sweetness from alcohol and considerable cedar; it has a candied feel to it, a headache in the making, and flows into a cherry plum finish that's fairly sweet. Lots of quite ripe fruit with considerable oak, and if you like the style you will enjoy it. But you do have to like the style.
1 star
Marchesi di Barolo Cannubi Barolo DOCG 2007
An IGP Selection
Poured pyrope ink. The bouquet is powerful, with jammy prune fruit floral accents and spice; casting PC aside it's a busty starlet in a glass, juicy and luscious. On the palate it's ample, soft, sweet, with berry fruit supported by moderate acidity and tannins that are smooth and have a slight youthful cedary burr. Seductive in a ripe key and if you like the style you will much enjoy it.
2 stars
Marchesi di Barolo Coste di Rose Barolo DOCG
An IGP Selection Deep pyrope with black cherry rim. The bouquet is ripe, with plum cherry fruit supported by sweetness, some acidity, slight greenish vegetal accents, heather, hints of leaf tobacco, and floral notes. A seductive starlet in a glass. On the palate it's ample and soft, with rich plum cherry fruit supported by smooth sweet berry fruit acidity and smooth sweet tannins that flow into a warm berry fruit finish, where the tannins reveal a certain greenish dryness. Pleasant, in a rich ripe fruit key, but needs a year or two.
2 stars
Marchesi di Barolo Sarmassa Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep pyrope with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet has berry fruit and plum cherry fruit supported by moderate acidity, greenish vegetal accents, some spice, and some alcohol; it's quite swank. On the palate it's ample, with rich cherry plum fruit supported by deft mineral acidity and by tannins that are warm and slightly savory, flow into a clean tannic finish Pleasant in a brash ripe key, and this is an odd combination, but it works.
2 stars
Poderi Einaudi Terlo Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet has cedar, spice, warmth, some berry fruit with deft underlying berry fruit acidity, and opens nicely. On the palate it's bright, with lively cherry fruit supported by bright berry fruit acidity and by smooth sweet tannins that have a slight burr, and flow into a clean fresh berry fruit finish with tannic underpinning. Pleasant in a bright middle of the road key.
2 stars
Poderi Einaudi Costa Grimaldi Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, with berry fruit, cherries, some greenish accents, spice, and some alcohol. On the palate it's fairly bright, lively cherry fruit supported by smooth berry fruit acidity and spice. Very tannic finish. It's middle of the road in style, and needs at least a couple of years.
2 stars
Poderi Einaudi Nei Cannubi Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. Charged. The bouquet is fairly intense, with alcohol, cedar, moderate berry fruit, spice, and alcohol; despite its power there's not much fruit. On the palate it's full, with dusky berry fruit and plums supported by alcohol and greenish tannins, flows into a warm berry fruit finish with quite a bit of alcohol, dry slightly greenish tannins carry into a greenish tannic finish.
1 star
Terre da Vino Essenze Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly green, with cedar and some plum cherry fruit supported by warmth and spice; it's fairly direct and this is in part youth. On the palate it's ample, with rich plum cherry fruit supported by crushed cherry acidity and tannins that are warm and smooth, flow into a clean savory finish. Pleasant, in a fairly direct key, and has a pleasing brashness to it, tomboyish in a ripe key, which is a trick to do but works here. The Italian word that comes to mind is ruffiano, which translates as ingratiating in the way scamps can be.
2 stars
Terre da Vino Paesi Tuoi Barolo DOCG 2007
Lively cherry ruby with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is rich, floral, and quite fresh for a Barolo, with spice, some greenish vegetal accents, plum prune fruit, some cedar, slight graphite shavings, and alcohol. On the palate it's ample and fairly sweet, with cherry plum fruit supported by moderate acidity and smooth sweet tannins that have a greenish burr, and flow into a clean plum berry fruit finish. A pleasantly savory wine with nice depth. It's very young, needs a year or two.
2 stars
Vajra G. D. Bricco Viole Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly rich, and vegetal, with prunes, some pepper, slight alcoholic sweetness, and spice; there's nice balance in a ripe but not overripe key, On the palate it's rich, with dusky cherry prune fruit supported by prune acidity and warmth; the tannins are warm and fairly sweet, with a slight burr, and flow into a prune plum finish with a greenish vegetal tannic underpinning. Pleasant in a brash key, with acidity that does a nice job of supporting quite ripe fruit. Expect it to also be long lived.
2 stars
Vajra G. D. Albe Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is complex, with alcohol, leaf tobacco, camphor, some vegetal notes, berry fruit, slight petroleum, and spice; a fellow taster finds truffles instead of petroleum, and another lathered horse. Differing associations. On the palate it's full, with moderately intense plum cherry fruit that's fairly sweet supported by smoky tannic accents and acidity that flow into a moderately dry tannic finish. I found it a bit dry, though this is also a factor of youth.
2 stars
Virna di Borgogno Cannubi Boschis Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine -- poured ink -- with almandine rim. The bouquet is oaky, with dusky cedar and greenish accents, alcohol, spice, and some prune fruit; it's penetrating, savory, and I would have liked more fruit. On the palate it's fairly rich, and ready, with plum cherry fruit supported by dusky cedar from the tannins that colors the fruit, and there is also cocoa in the finish A heavily oaked wine, young and ripe, and if you like the style you will enjoy it, but I found oak and chocolate from oak to impinge.
1 star
Virna di Borgogno Preda Sarmassa Barolo DOCG 2007
An IGP Selection
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, with violets, berry fruit some spice, and greenish accents, and is pleasant though coming together. On the palate it's full, and rich, with bright berry fruit supported by deft berry fruit acidity and tannins that are a touch dry, and this is a factor of youth; they flow into a fairly long cherry finish with deft tannic underpinning. Graceful, and will also age nicely for a decade at least. Give it at least 2 years before opening it.
2 stars
Wines from the Commune of Castiglione Falletto
Fenocchio Giacomo Villero Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black cherry ruby with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet has cherry fruit with some berry fruit, spice, greenish accents, acidity, and some candied fruit - jammy accents. On the palate it's pleasant, with ripe cherry fruit supported by deft acidity and tannins that are smooth and fairly rich, flow into a fairly long clean tannic finish.
2 stars
Boroli Villero Barolo DOCG 2007
Almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is moderately intense and quite oaky, with cedar, some berry fruit, and greenish accents; though the fruit does emerge oak predominates. On the palate it's fairly bright, with cherry fruit apparent in the attack, but then overshadowed by cedary oaky tannins that cover all, blanketing it in warmth. Oak in a glass.
1 star
Boroli Barolo DOCG 2007
Almandine with black reflections and almandine rim tending to orange. The bouquet is moderately intense, with berry fruit tartness and some vegetal accents, greenish notes, hints Marsiglia laundry soap, and spice. On the palate it's ample and fairly direct, with sour berry fruit supported by tannins that flow into a dry tannic finish; I found it overly tannic on palate and tongue drying. This in a tasting situation. There is nice acidity however, and it will work better with foods -- rich roasts and stews, in particular -- than some of the other wines we tasted, and may do interesting things with time
2 stars
Bricco Boschis Cavallotto Bricco Boschis Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, and greenish, with spice and peppery accents, black pepper, moderate berry fruit, and slight rubber; it's penetrating and slightly musty. On the palate it's fairly bright, with cherry fruit supported by tannins that are slight dry, and moderate berry fruit acidity, and flow into a fairly bright tannic finish with nice acidity. Needs time,
2 stars
Ceretto Bricco Rocche Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, and dusky, with animal notes, some leather, hardwood ash, considerable alcohol, and greenish notes with some burnt cork. On the palate it's ample and quite ripe, with smooth plum fruit supported by moderate berry fruit acidity and smooth sweet tannins that flow into a clean fresh fairly tart finish.
2 stars
Fontana Livia Barolo DOCG 2007
An IGP Selection
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is powerful, and aromatic, with petroleum, intense berry fruit, greenish vegetal accents, leather, spice, licorice root, rhubarb, and considerable alcohol. On the palate it's ample with fairly rich cherry plum fruit supported by moderate berry fruit acidity, and by tannins that are smooth and slightly greenish, with petroleum accents. Modern in style, and if you like the style you will enjoy it. But give it time.
2 stars
Fontana Livia Villero Barolo DOCG 2007
An IGP Selection Deep almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is powerful, with greenish leaf tobacco, spice, cedar, some berry fruit and quite a bit of alcohol with underlying hardwood ash. Pleasant. On the palate it's full, with rich berry fruit supported by smooth sweet tannins and moderate acidity, flows into a clean slightly greenish tannic finish. Pleasant, though the tannins aren't quite as powerful as they might be. It compensates for this with elegance and richness. A touch too ready say, the others at the moment of tasting, but I found myself enjoying it and we did select it.
2 stars
Oddero Poderi e Cantine Villero Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is intense, with alcohol, dusky notes, plum fruit, nose tingling acidity, oak, peppery black pepper spice, some vegetal accents, and plum cherry fruit. On the palate it's ample with moderately rich plum fruit supported by minerality more than acidity, and by tannins that are blocky and cedar laced, flowing into a cedary finish. There as nice fruit but oak is overshadowing it; it may emerge with time and I would wait a couple of years on it, as it may do interesting things.
1 star
Sobrero Francesco Ciabot Tanasio Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep almandine. The bouquet is animal with smoky accents, and frankly rustic, with wet stable straw as it opens. On the palate it's fairly bright, with lively cherry fruit supported by bright berry fruit acidity and by tannins that are smooth, and flow into a warm berry fruit finish in which some of the rustic elements of the nose emerge. It's particular, and if you like the style you will enjoy it. But you have to like rustic wines.
2 stars
Sordo Giovanni Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly rich, with cherry fruit supported by berry fruit acidity and some vegetal notes, slight berry fruit jam and spice. Nice depth. On the palate it's ample, with fairly bright berry fruit supported by moderate berry fruit acidity and by tannins that are smooth and fairly sweet. Though I liked the nose, I found the palate somewhat lacking in verve.
2 stars
Sordo Giovanni Rocche di Castiglione Barolo DOCG 2007
An IGP Selection
Lively almandine ruby with cherry rim. The bouquet is rich, with lively berry fruit supported by raspberries and floral accents, some vegetal notes, and nice acidity; there's nice balance and depth. On the palate it's bright, with fresh lively cherry raspberry fruit supported by smooth sweet tannins and raspberry acidity that flow into a warm sour berry fruit acidity. Quite pleasant, and will drink very well with roasts or stews.
2 stars
Sordo Giovanni Parussi Barolo DOCG 2007
An IGP Selection Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, with greenish accents, fairly rich berry fruit, and some spice; it displays nice depth and complexity. On the palate it's bright, with lively cherry raspberry fruit supported by smooth sweet berry fruit acidity and by tannins that are deft and smooth, with a slight burr, flow into a clean bright berry fruit finish. Enjoyable.
2 stars
Terre del Barolo Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep almandine with black reflections. The bouquet is dusky, with cedar that's not completely clean, and greenish accents, but not much fruit. The palate reflects the nose, with greenish cedar-laced berry fruit supported by cedary tannins that flow into a fairly green finish.
1 star
Wines from the Commune of Monforte d'Alba
Abbona Marziano Pressenda Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections - poured ink. The bouquet is powerful and frankly oaky, with considerable cedar that overshadows moderate berry fruit, and some goudron. A lot of oak, which conditions the wine. On the palate it's powerful, with peppery tannins and cherry fruit that's more intense supported by moderate acidity and peppery tannins that flow into a peppery finish. Quite aggressive in an oaky key; it needs time.
1 star
Amalia Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections almandine rim. The bouquet is powerful, with quite a bit of youthful oak mingled with spice, and a fair amount of alcohol, and underlying fruit. On the palate it's bright, with fairly rich cherry fruit supported by sour berry fruit acidity and by tannins that are bright and fairly dry, with spicy peppery accents, and flows into a fairly long sour berry fruit finish with tannic underpinning. It has considerable potential but needs a couple of years to get its bearings. A wine to wait for.
2 stars
Ascheri Pisapola Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep pyrope with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is spicy, with greenish accents, some berry fruit, bell peppers, some licorice root, and dusky shade. On the palate it's fairly rich, with moderately intense cherry fruit overshadowed by bitter cedar laced tannins and some mineral acidity; the finish is decidedly tannic with languid berry fruit supported more by minerality than acidity, while the tannins overshadow all. It's frankly unready.
Batasiolo Bofani Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is moderately intense, with some berry fruit supported by dusky notes, cedar, some wet leather, alcohol, and some spice. On the palate it's bright, with decidedly tannic fruit supported by aggressive peppery tannins, fruit is cherry, but the peppery spice of the tannins overshadows it all, and it flows into a peppery tannic finish. It's frankly underage, and needs time to come together.
1 star
Bolmida Silvano Bussia Barolo DOCG 2007
An IGP Selection Deep almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is rich and fresh, with violets and berry fruit supported by some greenish accents, acidity, and spice. On the palate it's fresh, with violet-laced plum cherry fruit supported by tannins that have a splintery burr of youth, and flow into a clean bright finish, while the acidity is pleasant and rather cheeky. Quite pleasant, in a tomboyish key.
2 stars
Bolmida Silvano Vigne dei Fantini Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections. The bouquet is funky and penetrating, with smoke and a certain mustiness; as it opens some floral accents emerge however. On the palate it's ample, with fairly rich cherry plum fruit supported by moderate mineral acidity, with smooth, glancing tannins and some violets in the finish. Fairly direct and up front.
1 star
Cascina Ballarin Bussia Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly rich, and jammy, with some berry fruit and berry fruit jam, plum-prune-grape, also some greenish vegetal accents. On the palate it's quite ripe, with plum cherry fruit supported by fairly sweet tannins and minerality more than acidity, though what comes though is the sweetness, and flow s into a fairly long finish. Lots of very ripe fruit, with sweetness derived in part from alcohol, and it's a wine that you will like if you like the style.
2 stars
Cascina Chicco Rocche Castelletto Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is smoky and savory, with some spice but not much fruit; it gives an impression of being in a holding pattern. On the palate it's pleasant, with fairly rich cherry fruit supported by moderate mineral acidity and smooth sweet tannins that flow into a clean fresh berry fruit finish. I'd have liked a little more acidity, but it does have pleasing fruit freshness and richness.
2 stars
Conterno Franco C. Sciulin Bussia Munie Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine -- poured ink -- with almandine rim. The bouquet has cherry fruit supported by cedar and greenish accents, spice, and some smoky notes too. On the palate it's ample and soft, with rich cherry plum fruit supported by moderate slightly milky acidity and by tannins that are smooth and sweet; it's pleasing in a ripe but not overripe international key.
2 stars
Conterno Franco C. Sciulin Pugnane Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly rich, with berry fruit supported by spicy jammy notes; more than one fellow taster finds toffees, and it is sweet in any case, and ripe. On the palate it's ripe, with cherry plum fruit supported by nice berry fruit acidity and by tannins that are rather dry, and flow into a clean bright tannic finish. Quite international with pleasant richness of fruit, and if you like the style you will enjoy it.
2 stars
Conterno Paolo Riva del Bric Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is muted, though swishing brings up some smoke, berry fruit, penetrating spice, and some acidity. On the palate it's ripe, with cherry plum fruit supported by dry tannins that display considerable oak and flow into a tannic finish. Oaky.
1 star
Conterno Paolo Ginestra Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, with alcohol, tannic accents, ripe berry fruit, some prunes, some spice, and cedar. On the palate it's ample, with rich cherry prune fruit that draws up quickly, finishing with tannins that are dry and cut the fruit off, and a fair amount of alcohol; there is some mineral acidity too, but it really just comes up short.
1 star
Costa di Bussia Campo dei Buoi Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep pigeon blood ruby with cherry rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, with plum cherry fruit supported by some greenish accents, cedar, and slight graphite shavings. On the palate it's fill and ripe, with rich plum cherry fruit supported by smooth sweet tannins that flow into a rather green fairly long cedar laced finish. It's tending towards a riper style, and is pleasant, but you have to like the style.
2 stars
Fenocchio Giacomo Bussia Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and some violet highlights. The bouquet is fresh, in a candied way, with toffees called "caramella mou" in Italian, sweetness, some berry fruit and berry fruit jam, and a fair amount of alcohol. On the palate it's ample, soft, and smooth, with fairly intense cherry plum fruit supported by violets; the tannins are smooth and slightly splintery, and flow into a clean finish with slight graphite shaving bitterness.
2 stars
Giacosa F.lli Vigna Mandorlo Barolo DOCG
Deep black almandine with black reflections and violet rim. The bouquet is fairly rich, with greenish plum accents and some spice; considerable ripeness in a charged key. On the palate it's full, and ripe, with fairly rich cherry plum fruit supported by tannins that have greenish accents and flow into a fairly long slightly greenish ripe plum cherry finish
2 stars
Giacosa F.lli Bussia Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is oaky, with a great load of cedar and some berry fruit that tries to emerge, but with little success; a fellow taster mutters about old pecorino cheese on the nose, and when he says it I realize he's right. On the palate it's moderately fruity with cherry plum fruit supported by mineral acidity and glancing tannins.
1 star
Grasso Elio Gavarini Chinerea Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is decidedly greenish with considerable lactic acid and spice; it's up in the air and not happy at being there. On the palate it's ample, with ripe berry fruit mingled with plum cherry fruit, and supported by tannins that are cedar laced and splintery, flowing into a dusky finish with greenish tannic accents. It's unready, and the nose in particular isn't working for me at this time.
Grasso Elio Ginestra Casa Matè Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is jammy, with plum-cherry fruit supported by greenish accents and some spice. Casting PC aside it's like a stacked starlet in a glass, voluptuous but also green. On the palate it's ample, with rich cherry plum fruit supported by tannins that have some scalded milk to them, and also mint, and are that are splintery (youth, and oak), while there isn't that much in the way of acidity, and it flows into a tannic finish with some plum fruit. I'd have liked somewhat defter acidity, though in its defense it is very, very young.
1 star
Parusso Armando Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections - poured ink. The bouquet is powerful, and quite aromatic, with floral richness that brings Ruché to mind; there's sweetness, rhubarb and licorice root too, and as it opens some underlying tart accents. On the palate it's full, and rich, with powerful cherry plum fruit supported by ample smooth tannins and moderate acidity that flow into a clean slightly mineral minty plum finish that's fairly long, and settles into graphite shavings bitterness. It's particular, and not what I think of as Barolo, but does have a certain grace in a very ripe key, and if you like the style you will enjoy it.
2 stars
Parusso Armando Mariondino Barolo DOCG 2007
An IGP Selection
Deep pyrope ink with almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, with greenish vegetal notes and berry fruit -- plum-cherry -- supported by some acidity; it's ripe but has acidity that gives direction, and also some quinine and spice and slight balsamic accents. On the palate it's full, with rich plum cherry fruit supported by smooth sweet tannins and mineral acidity, and flows into a clean fairly mineral finish, with some floral notes -- violets -- and that emerge. Pleasant in a powerful very ripe key, and if you like the style you will enjoy it.
2 stars
Parusso Armando Le Coste Mosconi Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, and cedar laced, with some rhubarb according to the other tasters, whereas I find cedar and cedar chest. An oaky marvel. On the palate it's ripe, with plum cherry fruit supported by cedary tannins that have greenish accents nicely integrated with fruit. The overall package is quite successful, simply a lot of oak and very ripe fruit. It would however be an anathema for traditional minded.
2 stars
Parusso Armando Bussia Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim with hints of purple. The bouquet is fairly rich, with plum fruit supported by cedar and greenish accents -- a lot of oak well balanced by rich ripe fruit. On the palate it's ample, rather tannic, with less fruit than the nose suggested and more dry oaky tannins, which flow into a very tannic splintery oaky finish. It's like licking a barrel slat.
1 star
Poderi Colla Dardi le Rosse Bussia Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black cherry ruby with black cherry reflections and cherry rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, with greenish accents and spice and underlying some prune fruit. On the palate it's ripe, and rich with fairly intense plum fruit at the outset, though the fruit then flags, giving way to dry tannins that carry into a dry tannic finish. I'd have liked greater richness of fruit to support the tannic accents.
1 star
Prunotto Bussia Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is powerful, with ripe cherry plum fruit supported by greenish tannic accents, some acidity, and pleasant spice. On the palate it's bright and fresh, with fairly rich cherry plum fruit supported by lively plum acidity and by tannins that are smooth and full, and flow into a bright plum cherry finish. Nice depth and elegance, and pleasant in the context of the style, which is fairly modern.
2 stars
Saffirio Josetta Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black cherry with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, with cedar laced tart berry fruit supported by some greenish spice and some smoky accents. On the palate it's ample and soft with fairly rich cherry plum fruit supported by tannins that are rather dry and flow into a dry tannic finish.
1 star
Saffirio Josetta Persiera Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep pyrope ink with cherry ruby rim. The bouquet is fairly rich, with greenish jammy accents, leaf tobacco, some spice, and quite a bit of alcohol; the effect is rather haunting. On the palate it's fairly rich, with spicy berry fruit supported by cherry notes and acidity, while the tannins warm and cedar laced. Quite ripe.
1 star
Saffirio Josetta Francesco 1948 Barolo DOCG 2007
Impenetrable pyrope with black reflections and cherry rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, with sweetness mingled with some penetrating acidity and cedar, and also with very ripe plum berry fruit and a lot of oak. On the palate it's ample, with rich plum fruit supported by plum laced tannins and moderate acidity that flow into a plum finish. Pleasant enough in a ripe charged key.
2 stars
Simone Scaletta Chiriet Barolo DOCG 2007
Almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly rich, with floral accents and some red berry fruit supported by some vegetal notes and slight cedar; with respect to many Monforte wines it is considerably less ripe, and more towards berry fruit than plum, though there is some underlying sweetness. On the palate it's full, and fairly sweet, with cherry plum fruit supported by languid tannins and moderate acidity that flow into a warm slightly cedary finish with soft cherry accents.
2 stars
