The second day the IGP tastings (65 wines in the space of 4 hours, once again with the assistance of our sommeliers and the staff of Wellcom) began with Barolo of mixed origin, in other words assemblies of wines from vineyards in more than one Commune. While single vineyard wines are now all the rage, this is actually a more traditional way of doing things; as Bartolo Mascarello once said to me, "I make Barolo. Not Barolo from this vineyard or that vineyard, but Barolo from all my vineyards, because the sum is greater than the parts."
In other words, in a Barolo from the several Comuni, one might expect to the characteristics of the different Comuni, for example Serralunga's power and Novello's elegance
Speaking of the individual Comuni, the Novellisti are too few in number for one to draw reliable conclusions based just on them, but when combined with La Morra a picture of the vintage emerges, with alcohol that is often high, coupled with tannins that are in some cases disjointed, and all supported -- sometimes -- by balanced acidity. In short, it's a vintage with peaks and lows, and therefore one must choose with care.
As is always the case, however, some wines emerged, and after the tasting I posted a list of the 11 wines we all found worthy.
Here are the notes for all of the wines tasted:
Barolo from Various Comuni
Buganza Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep cherry ruby almandine rim. The bouquet has cherry fruit, vanilla, spice, alcohol, and slight jammy accents; it's fairly international. On the palate it's full and fairly rich, with moderately intense berry fruit supported by tannins that are powerfully vanilla laced, becoming splintery in the finish, which is quite oaky.
1 star
Prunotto Barolo DOCG 2007
Almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is vegetal, with peppery spice and some greenish accents; it's not funky but there's not much fruit either, though as it opens licorice root mingled with spice and some sour berry fruit emerge. On the palate it's full, with fresh sour cherry fruit supported by moderate acidity and greenish splintery tannins that flow into a long warm finish. Quite direct, in part because of youth, but its character is set.
1 star
Rattalino Massimo Trentaquattro Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep pigeon blood ruby with cherry rim and black reflections. The bouquet is somewhat animal, with hot iron, greenish notes, vegetal accents, spice, and not much fruit. On the palate it's fresh, with lively cherry fruit supported by acidity and tannins that are rather splintery (a factor of youth) and have a cedar underpinning, that flows into a warm red berry fruit finish. Fairly direct, young.
2 stars
Deltetto Sistaglia Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is closed, though swishing brings up some berry fruit coupled with some cedar, spice, dusky accents, and alcohol. On the palate it's direct, with red berry fruit supported by moderate acidity and tannins that are disconnect from the wine, especially in the finish, which becomes very tannic and dry.
1 star
Enrico Serafino Barolo DOCG 2007
Lively almandine with black reflections almandine rim. The bouquet is dusky, with prune-cherry fruit supported by some spice, some cedar, alcohol, and slight menthol. On the palate it's direct, with greenish cherry fruit supported by moderate acidity and tannins that are fairly dry, flowing into dry cedar laced finish.
1 star
Gianolio Tommaso Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep almandine with black reflections and almandine rim paling to orange. The bouquet is deft, with berry fruit, hints goudron, some rosa canina, spice, some alcohol, and a fellow taster finds white chocolate. Pleasant. On the palate it's a bit understated, with sour cherry fruit supported by slightly smoky acidity and tannins that are fairly smooth, though they do display a slight burr, and flow into a dusky ripe cherry-prune finish with tannic underpinning. An enjoyable wine.
2 stars
Ceste Barolo DOCG 2007
Almandine with black reflections and almandine rim paling to orange. The bouquet is muted, with berry fruit, some shellac, chocolate, confectionary (almond skins), some spice, and savory notes. On the palate it's ample and soft, with moderate berry fruit supported by moderate mineral acidity and by tannins that are splintery and flow into a fairly dry finish with dry tannic underpinning. It needs a couple of years to settle.
2 stars
Francone Vigneti Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep almandine with black reflections and almandine rim paling to white. The bouquet is moderately intense, with some sour berry fruit supported by greenish vegetal accents, licorice root, black pepper, and dusky shade. On the palate it's pleasant in a fairly direct key, with bright cherry and forest berry fruit supported by moderate berry fruit acidity and by tannins that have a glancing youthful burr, and flow into a fairly long berry fruit finish. Not tremendous concentration, but it has a cheeky pleasant feel to it.
2 stars
Bersano Nirvasco Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep brick almandine with black reflections and almandine rim paling to orange. The bouquet is muted, though swishing brings up some metallic accents, slight bramble, and hints of cedar that bring dried bamboo to mind; there's not much fruit. On the palate it's fairly rich, with berry fruit supported by deft acidity and by tannins that are fairly warm, with a burr that flows into a warm finish. Fairly direct.
1 star
Bonfante Marco Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, with abundant cedar and some spice, some red berry fruit and slight rosa canina mingled with some leaf tobacco and leather. Nice depth. On the palate it's medium bodied, with bright berry fruit supported by warm acidity, and by splintery tannins that flow into a warm sour berry fruit finish. It's pleasant, and rather fresh, will age nicely for a number of years.
2 stars
Giribaldi Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep almandine with black reflections and brown rim. The bouquet is rustic, with balsamic notes and wet stable straw mingled with pungency, some lathered horse, leather, and sea salt. On the palate it's ample and direct, with cherry plum fruit supported by moderate acidity that's fairly mineral, and by tannins that are fairly light and splintery, flowing into a fairly tart finish. It's traditional in feel, and I found it a bit tired.
1 star
Montaribaldi Borzoni Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep almandine with almandine rim. The bouquet is powerful and rather rustic, with animal accents and some spice. On the palate it's ample and smooth on the outset, with moderate fruit supported by tannins that become quite splintery in the finish.
1 star
Savigliano F.lli Barolo DOCG 2007
An IGP Selection
Deep black almandine with black reflections almandine rim; it's a bit richer than the others. The bouquet is fairly rich, deft, some greenish accents, some berry fruit some spice, savory accents, greenish notes vegetal aromas, green leather leaf tobacco not much fruit. On the palate it's smooth, soft fairly rich cherry fruit supported by moderate red berry fruit acidity and by tannins that are warm and smooth, but not too powerful. A delicate expression of Barolo, but pleasant, and will age nicely for 5-10 years.
2 stars
Wines from the Commune of Novello
Elvio Cogno Ravera Barolo DOCG 2007
Almandine with black reflections and almandine rim paling to orange. The bouquet opens with some red berry fruit, slight greenish accents, some cedar and some rosa canina; it's delicate and rather graceful. On the palate it's fairly bright, with youthful directness and moderate fruit supported by some acidity and by tannins that are smooth and fairly rich flow into a tannic berry fruit finish. Needs time, has a pleasant delicacy to it, but is almost a work in progress - it's stumbling about now. I would give it 3-5 years, and expect it to age well for much longer.
2 stars
Marenco Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections; it's quite dark and with hints of purple. The bouquet is fairly rich, and languid, with berry fruit with greenish accents, leather, some spice, chocolate, and alcohol; over all it's fairly bright. On the palate it's fairly rich, lively cherry fruit supported by bright berry fruit acidity, and by tannins that are smooth and have a slight splintery burr, and flow into a warm bright finish. Graceful, and quite pleasant, with nice acidity that picks it up.
2 stars
Piazzo Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep almandine with black reflections paling to pink rim. The bouquet has berry fruit, rosa canina, some spice, tar, and cherry fruit, with some alcohol, savory accents, and sea salt. Pleasant complexity, and harmonious. On the palate it's fresh, and fairly direct, with moderately intense berry fruit supported by lively
slightly mineral acidity and by tannins that are smooth and warm, flowing into a clean fresh berry fruit finish.2 stars
Cantine San Silvestro Patres Barolo DOCG 2007
An IGP Selection
Deep almandine with black reflections. The bouquet has greenish leather, leaf tobacco, spice, berry fruit, some scalded milk, heather, cherries, and savory accents. Nice complexity. On the palate it's bright, with moderately intense rich berry fruit supported by berry fruit acidity and tannins that are a bit light for a Barolo, and flow into a clean bright berry fruit finish. Light, deft, lively and will drink well with foods; it will also be fairly long lived. Not settled, but rather brash.
2 stars
Wines from the Commune of La Morra
Batasiolo Cerequio Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, with greenish leather, some leaf tobacco, languid cherry fruit and nice acidity supported by some cedar. On the palate it's ample, and a bit riper than I expected, with cherry plum fruit supported by bright sour berry fruit acidity and by tannins that are smooth and polished but not overly polished, and flow into a e warm tannic finish that's fairly long. I found it slightly lacking in concentration, but think it will in any case go places.
2 stars
Batasiolo Barolo DOCG 2007
An IGP Selection
Deep black almandine with black reflections almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, and slightly rustic, with berry fruit, balsamic notes, savory sea salt, some stable straw, cedar, leaf tobacco, and fair amount alcohol that provides warmth. On the palate it's more direct, with ripe cherry and forest berry fruit supported by rather languid acidity and tannins that are smooth, with a slight greenish burr, and flow into a warm slightly greenish tannic finish. Quite nice, and it gives something of a "come-hither" look, what is called ruffiano in Italian.
2 stars
Boroli Cerequio Barolo DOCG 2007
Almandine with black reflections almandine rim orange. The bouquet is fairly rich, with berry fruit, some chocolate, cocoa, some leaf tobacco, spice, leather, alcohol, and dried floral accents. On the palate it's bright, with ripe sour cherry fruit supported by berry fruit acidity and smooth slightly greenish tannins with peppery warmth that flow into a long warm finish with a peppery tannic underpinning.
2 stars
Bosco Agostino La Serra Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep almandine with black reflections. The bouquet has greenish accents, chalk, leaf tobacco, berry fruit, some alcohol, and some spice; it's quite young but displays nice depth. Warmth too. On the palate it's full, and fairly direct, with moderate berry fruit supported by mineral acidity and by tannins that are rather splintery and flow into a quick dry tannic finish. Though I enjoyed the nose I didn't find enough fruit to hold up the structure; it dries the palate.
1 star
Bosco Agostino Neirane Barolo DOCG 2007
Almandine with black reflections almandine rim. The bouquet is moderately intense, with berry fruit supported by some chalk, pungent alcohol, chemical accents, greenish vegetal notes, heather, cut hay, and milkweed. On the palate it's fairly rich, with leathery berry fruit supported by balsamic acidity and tannins that are warm and peppery; it's fairly rustic and flows into a long warm balsamic finish. Particular and a wine you'll like only if you like the style.
1 star
Cascina Ballarin Tre Ciabot Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is spicy, with cedar and some vegetal notes supported by alcohol, moderate berry fruit, and slight hints of rosa canina. On the palate it's brighter than the nose suggests, with moderate berry fruit supported by warmth and rather dry tannins. It's fairly international in style, with tannins that at present overshadow the fruit; I'd have liked more concentration of fruit, but it does hold together well, and in its style is pleasant.
2 stars
Cascina Ballarin Bricco Rocca Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, with berry fruit, green leather, leaf tobacco, some rosa canina, considerable cedar, spice, greenish accents, some pungency, and a fair amount of alcohol. On the palate it's dry, with moderate berry fruit supported by acidity and splintery tannins that cover all like a blanket, and shut down the wine.
1 star
Cascina del Monastero Bricco Luciani Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is powerful, and rather cooked, with plum cherry fruit supported by greenish mentholated accents and greenish spice, and some berry fruit. On the palate it's flat -- something I didn't expect -- with moderate leathery fruit supported by some acidity. I found it to lack fruit and depth, with tannins that are savory and splintery, and light. It didn't convince me.
1 star
Cascina del Monastero Annunziata Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, and smoky, with red berry fruit supported by some balsamic accents, lathered horse, peppery notes, leaf tobacco, spice, iodine, and graphite shavings that bring dusky shade to mind. On the palate it's fairly rich, with moderately intense sour berry fruit supported by moderate mineral acidity, tannins and tannins that are glancing and very dry, flowing into a long dry tannic finish with hints of cherry plum fruit. The attack is nice but the wood dries it out overmuch for me.
1 star
Ciabot Berton Ciabot Berton Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is jammy, with berry fruit supported by bell pepper accents, some spice, some greenish accents, some alcohol, light tartness, and moderate acidity. On the palate it's fairly rich, with pleasant cherry plum fruit supported by moderate fairly mineral acidity and by tannins that are dry, but don't overshadow the acidity, which carries into a fairly dry mineral finish with some hints of fruit. It's still coming together and needs time; though I'd have liked a little more richness to fruit, what there is is pleasant in a slightly overripe plum key.
2 stars
Ciabot Berton Roggeri Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly rich, with berry fruit and plums, some balsamic accents, leather and spice. On the palate it's a little brighter than I expected, with cherry plum fruit supported by fairly bright berry fruit acidity and tannins that are balsamic and flow into a warm sour berry fruit finish with some balsamic accents; the palate is a stronger than the nose, and I might hope that the nose will follow it. Give it a couple of years.
2 stars
Gagliardo Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim paling to orange. The bouquet is fairly rich, with leaf tobacco and leather mingled with some berry fruit and brambly notes, and some balsamic pungency too, coupled with horse lather; as it develops it becomes rather animal and pungent. On the palate it's ample, with moderate savory fruit supported by citric acidity and tannins that are flat and splintery. It's flatter than I might have liked, and settled.
1 star
Gagliasso Rocche Annunziata Barolo DOCG 2007
Brownish almandine with black reflections almandine rim paling to orange. The bouquet is fairly intense, with gum Arabic and cedar mingled with spice, almond paste, and a fair amount of alcohol. Fairly intense. On the palate it's fairly bright, with cherry fruit supported by lively rather bitter acidity and by warm glancing tannins that flow into a long warm tannic finish. It's a bit in mid stride but promises nicely, and could do interesting things with time.
2 stars
Gagliasso Torriglione Barolo DOCG 2007
An IGP Selection
Deep black almandine close to poured ink, with brownish almandine rim. The bouquet is muted, though swishing brings up some smoke, slight prune laced alcohol, some spice, and jammy accents. On the palate it's ample, with fairly bright berry fruit supported by warmth and prune plum fruit that flows into a warm rather dry berry fruit finish. Pleasant, in a rather rich ripe fairly modern key. It grew upon me.
2 stars
Silvio Grasso Turne Barolo DOCG 2007
An IGP Selection
Deep almandine with brownish almandine rim. The bouquet is penetrating, with spice, some minerality, quite a bit of alcohol, leather, and moderate fruit. On the palate it's bright, with lively cherry fruit supported by moderate acidity and tannins that are splintery and warm (a factor of youth), and flow into a warm splintery finish with a fair amount of sweetness due to alcohol. Lots of alcohol, but it shows promise and will do interesting things in the future.
2 stars
Silvio Grasso Pi Vigne Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections, and almandine rim paling to brown. The bouquet somewhat cooked, with burnt rubber, spice, some cherry fruit, leaf tobacco, and greenish vegetal accents supporting moderate berry fruit. On the palate it's full, with moderately intense leathery cherry plum fruit supported by mineral acidity and spice; the tannins are fairly smooth, somewhat glancing, and flow into plum prune finish with tannic underpinning. It shows promise and will likely do interesting things with time.
2 stars
Silvio Grasso Bricco Luciani Barolo DOCG 2007
Impenetrable pyrope with almandine rim. Poured ink. The bouquet is muted, though swishing brings up greenish accents, some spice, leaf tobacco, and alcohol, but not much fruit. On the palate it's full, with moderately rich plum cherry fruit supported by warmth and tannins that are warm, full, and fairly splintery and flow into a decidedly tannic finish with some prune plum fruit and some warmth. It's big, and has been pumped up, with a great deal of oak it has yet to finish digesting. You'll like it if you like the style, but I found the oak excessive.
1 star
Silvio Grasso Ciabot Manzoni Barolo DOCG 2007
Impenetrable pyrope with black reflections and cherry rim. The bouquet is smoky, with some penetrating notes, moderate cedar, and slight plum. On the palate it's ample, with fairly bright cherry plum fruit supported by moderate acidity and by tannins that are warm and splintery, flowing into a warm tannic finish that's fairly dry. I'd have liked a little more depth to fruit, which doesn't quite manage to stand up to the tannins at present. It needs a few years to come together.
1 star
Silvio Grasso Vigna Plicotti Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep back almandine with black reflections and almandine rim paling to brown. The bouquet is moderately intense, with quite a bit of oak and alcohol that mask the fruit, and some greenish accents. On the palate it's full, with prune fruit supported by warmth and tannins that have peppery spice and flow into a peppery finish. I found it settled and lacking in brightness and verve.
1 star
L'Illuminata Tebavio Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly rich, with green leather, cedar and spice supported by nose tingling acidity, heather, milkweed, and vegetal notes. Not much fruit. On the palate it's fairly rich, and quite ripe, with plum cherry fruit supported by tannic acidity and peppery accents, supported by moderate acidity. The palate is more interesting than the nose, and if the nose develops along these lines it will be interesting in a fairly ripe fairly international key.
2 stars
Mauro Molino Vigna Gancia Barolo DOCG 2007
An IGP Selection
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fresh, with violets and greenish leaf tobacco and spice supported by some gum Arabic and slight red berry fruit, black pepper, some alcohol, and balsamic accents. Nice balance and harmonious On the palate it's pleasant, with fairly ripe cherry plum fruit supported by mineral acidity and smooth sweet tannins that flow into a fairly long clean spicy finish with deft tannic underpinning and some sage. Pleasant in a ripe key, and if you like the style you will enjoy it very much.
88-90
Mauro Molino Vigna Conca Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep almandine with black reflections. The bouquet is fairly intense and slightly rustic, with balsam, slight stable straw, green leaf tobacco, nose tingling spice, and fresh leather. On the palate it's full, with cherry plum fruit supported by dusky tannins that have leaf tobacco overtones, and by greenish acidity that flow s into a fairly long greenish finish. Pleasant in a rather dusky key, will also age nicely for a number of years. Ripe on the palate, and nice oak.
2 stars
Mauro Molino Gallinetto Barolo DOCG 2007
An IGP Selection
Impenetrable pyrope with black reflections almandine rim. The bouquet is muted at first swish, opening overtones reveal leather, nose tingling spice, cedar, petroleum, minerality, and moderate red berry fruit. On the palate it's medium bodied with fairly rich berry fruit supported by greenish tannins that have a cedary underpinning and are supported by moderate berry fruit mineral acidity. It's pleasant but still coming together and needs another couple of years.
2 stars
Monfalletto Bricco Gattera Barolo DOCG 2007
An IGP Selection
Deep almandine with black reflections and black cherry rim. The bouquet is fairly rich, with berry fruit and some greenish accents supported by spice and deft minerality. The palate is fairly rich, with bright berry fruit supported by smooth berry fruit acidity -- cherry and sour berry fruit -- and by tannins that are smooth and sweet, slowing into a long and berry fruit laced finish with some tart accents as well. Fairly traditional and impressive; it's one of those wines one hates to pour out at a tasting, and is worth seeking out.
88-90
Monfalletto Enrico VI Barolo DOCG 2007
Almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is moderately intense, with penetrating greenish accents, spice, vegetal notes, leather, leaf tobacco, a degree of tartness, and orange peel acidity. On the palate it's fairly rich, with bright greenish berry fruit supported by cedar laced tannins and some vegetal accents, warmth, and alcohol, with long cedar laced finish with berry fruit and considerable greenish warmth. Quite fresh.
2 stars
Monfalletto Monfalletto Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep cherry brick ruby with ruby rim. The bouquet is fairly rich, with berry fruit and spice supported by alcohol and some greenish leaf tobacco accents, and some licorice root too. Nice depth and elegance. On the palate it's full, with bright ripe berry fruit supported by deft acidity and smooth tannins that have a slight burr, and flow into a fairly long warm finish with a peppery tannic burr. It's woefully young, and needs another 3-5 years to come into its own. Opening a bottle now would be an infanticide. 2 stars
Negretti Bricco Ambrogio Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet has greenish vegetal leaf tobacco notes mingled I warm balsamic accents and alcohol, a fair amount of cedar, moderate berry fruit, and moderately intense black pepper spice. On the palate it's brighter than the nose suggests, with bright berry fruit supported by bright berry fruit acidity and tannins that have dusky greenish accents, and flow into a greenish berry fruit finish with quite a bit of alcohol. It grew on me,
2 stars
Negretti Mirau Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim paling to orange. Fairly ripe nose, with plum and blueberry supported by greenish vegetal accents, spice, slight cedar, leaf tobacco, and warmth; it's ample and fresh in a ripe key On the palate it's full, and fresh with fairly bright berry fruit on the attack that quickly settles into the finish, which is clean and tannic. It's pleasingly fresh, but draws in a little too quickly.
2 stars
Negretti Barolo DOCG 2007
An IGP Selection
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim paling to orange. The bouquet is pleasant and penetrating, with greenish notes, underbrush, sea salt, some berry fruit, leather, and spice; it's pleasant in international key. On the palate it's full, with richer than expected cherry fruit supported by deft berry fruit acidity and smooth sweet tannins that flow into a clean fresh tannic finish. Quite fresh, with considerable life and will go places.
2 stars
Oddero Luigi Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is rustic, with balsam, wet stable straw, penetrating spice, acidity, lathered horse, some herbal accents. Powerful. On the palate it's pleasant, with fairly rich cherry fruit supported by balsamic berry fruit acidity and by smooth sweet tannins that flow into a fairly long slightly animal balsam laced finish. If you like the style, which is very traditional, you will enjoy it.
2 stars
Oddero Poderi e Cantine Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep almandine with black reflections and almandine rim paling to orange. The bouquet is greenish, with scalded milk, gum Arabic, spice, and some Marseilles laundry soap, but not much fruit. I found it a bit lunky. On the palate it's ample and smooth, with minerality more than fruit, some plum laced tannins that are ample and sweet, and a finish that's fairly mineral, It's oddly empty, and I can't get a grip on it.
1 star
Rocche Costamagna Rocche dell'Annunziata Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is muted, though swishing brings up some leaf tobacco slight green leather mingled with spice, and not much fruit. On the palate it's ample, with moderate plum cherry fruit supported by mineral acidity and tannins that are ample and glancing, and flow into a fairly mineral finish. Lacks verve, acidity.
1 star
Aurelio Settimo Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is moderately intense, with berry fruit and some leaf tobacco mingled with spice and warmth. On the palate it's ample, with rich plum cherry fruit supported by moderate acidity and fairly sweet tannins that flow into a fairly rich cherry plum finish. It's pleasant, though I found it a touch ripe. If you prefer tighter wines it won't work as well for you.
2 stars
Aurelio Settimo Rocche dell'Annunziata Barolo DOCG 2007
An IGP Selection
Deep almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is moderately intense, with balsamic red berry fruit supported by spice, some greenish accents, and wet leather. On the palate it's full, and fairly rich, with bright berry fruit supported by greenish accents and spice supported by some acidity, and tannins that have warm balsamic accents and flow into a clean savory balsamic finish with fruit underpinning. Pleasant in a traditional key; I found it just a touch thin (and this is the vintage), though it promises to become ethereal with time.
2 stars
Veglio Mauro Vigneto Gattera Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim paling to brown. The bouquet is moderately intense, with quite a bit of greenish cedar, some spice, vegetal notes, and not much fruit, though as it opens scalded milk, slight balsam, slight gum Arabic, and alcohol emerge. On the palate it's ample and rather green, with moderately intense minerality more than fruit supported by tannins that are splintery and flow into a very tannic finish. Lacks fruit.
1 star
Veglio Mauro Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections, almandine rim. The bouquet is pleasant, with greenish accents, minerality, some cedar, vegetal notes, leaf tobacco, and peppery spice, but not much fruit. Some plum. On the palate it's brighter than the nose suggests, with cherry plum fruit supported by mineral plum acidity and by tannins that are warm and slightly splintery, flow into a clean fairly bright plum cherry fruit with splintery underpinning.
2 stars
Veglio Mauro Vigneto Arborina Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black cherry ruby with black reflections and cherry ruby rim. The bouquet is muted, though swishing brings up cedar, some vegetal accents, spice, pungency, prunes, and warmth. On the palate it's fairly rich, with cherry plum fruit supported by moderate acidity and by tannins that are decidedly splintery and flow into a fairly long warm finish, Lots of alcohol makes for considerable warmth. Pleasant in its style, though I'd have liked greater depth and richness, and less alcohol.
2 stars
Veglio Mauro Castelletto Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine in the rim. The bouquet is moderately intense, with some greenish accents, vegetal notes, leaf tobacco, some nose tingling acidity, spice, more acidity. I find the volatile high and a fellow taster agrees. On the palate it's ample and soft, with plum cherry fruit supported by peppery tannins.
1 star
Veglio Mauro Rocche dell'Annunziata Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is intense, and a bit disjointed, with wet cardboard and greenish accents, some spice, and some berry fruit. Still in mid stride. On the palate it's a step up, with fairly rich cherry plum fruit supported by brisk berry fruit acidity and tannins that have decidedly peppery spice and flow into a fairly long peppery finish with spicy accents. The palate has promise, and the nose needs time. Assuming it follows the palate the wine will be quite pleasant. I would give it 3-5 years to get its bearings.
2 stars
Viberti Eraldo Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections. The nose is intense, with considerable wet paper, some greenish accents, spice, and underlying berry fruit. It is up in the air. On the palate it's fairly rich, with ripe cherry fruit supported by spice and greenish tannins that have peppery accents and some spice. Pleasant and needs time, especially for the nose to come together and develop. If it does, it will go places. A score today could have little bearing on the future of the wine.
Viberti Eraldo Rocchettevino Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections almandine rim. The bouquet is intense, with wet paper and some greenish accents, some spice, cedar in spades, vegetal accents, and not much fruit. On the palate it's fairly rich, cherry fruit supported by smooth sweet berry fruit that is supported by moderately intense berry fruit acidity and by smooth sweet tannins with slight moderate acidity and tannins that are fairly smooth. It needs a couple of years to come together.
1 star
Gianni Voerzio La Serra Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep violet ruby with violet rim. The bouquet is atypical, with violets and spice mingled with sea salt and some animal accents, also rich plum cherry fruit supported by some balsamic accents. Quite distinctive. On the palate it's full and rich, with powerful cherry plum fruit supported by fairly bright berry fruit acidity and tannins that are peppery and flow into a warm bright peppery finish. A bit atypical with fairly rich tannins that revolve around sweetness of fruit, and flow into a languid, rich plum cherry finish with some leathery balsamic accents. It's a wine you will like or not, and isn't really typical of Barolo. But it is interesting, with considerable personality, and if you like the style you will enjoy it considerably.
2 stars
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