The last day of tasting in Wellcom's offices in Alba for the IGP team: 2007 Barolo from the Communes of Verduno and Serralunga, and a few Barolo and Barbaresco wines from older vintages.
Just a few samples from Verduno, but high quality, with beautiful balance.
Serralunga instead, as usual, is striking in its power, which in this vintage was -- in some wines -- accompanied by excessive alcohol and tannins that are quite rustic. Just some, many of the other Serralunga wines instead display the classic tightly woven Serralunghese "megatannins", and with them the sensation is one of almost velvety fullness and balance that continues almost infinitely.
Of the 56 wines we tasted, 11 impressed all of us, and thus became IGP selections, the list of which I posted upon my return to Florence. Here are the notes for all the wines tasted, in the order poured.
Wines from the Commune of Verduno
Commendator G. B. Burlotto Acclivi Barolo DOCG 2007
An IGP Selection Deep black almandine with brilliant black reflections and almandine rim. Elegant bouquet with berry fruit, cherries, violets, and rosa canina; it's quite fresh and as it opens some leaf tobacco and slight leather also emerge. Pleasant. On the palate it's bright, with lively cherry fruit supported by smooth sweet tannins that have a spicy burr, and flow into a clean peppery finish with some underlying bitterness. A fresh, lively expression of Barolo that will brighten the day.
2 stars
Alessandria F.lli Barolo DOCG 2007
Black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is intense, rather metallic at first swish, with berry fruit and some menthol supported by warm spice; it opens to reveal berry fruit -- cherry and slight raspberry acidity -- with nice depth, and muscular. On the palate it's full, with bright cherry fruit supported by slightly greenish accents, acidity that is slightly lactic with hints of scalded milk, and tannins that have some cedar to them, and flow into a warm splintery tannic finish that again has some lactic acidity to it.
2 stars
Alessandria F.lli San Lorenzo Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet has greenish leaf tobacco and some spice mingled with red berry fruit and some acidity; the effect is airy and rather alcoholic. It's less developed, needs time. On the palate it's bright, with lively red berry fruit supported by tannins that are smooth and fresh, with slightly greenish accents and have a slight burr; the acidity is raspberry and flows into a clean slightly greenish sour berry fruit finish.
2 stars
Alessandria F.lli Monvigliero Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, and smoky with some cedar, bright berry fruit supported by cherry acidity and crushed cherries with slight vegetal accents and hints of rosa canina. On the palate it's full, with bright red berry fruit supported by mentholated spice and tannins that have slight greenish cedary notes, and flow into a clean fairly tart cedar laced finish. Nicely balanced in middle of the road key.
2 stars
Alessandria F.lli Gramolere Barolo DOCG 2007
An IGP Selection
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is quite fresh, with elegant floral accents, rosa cainina, cherry fruit, spice, deft cedar, hints of goudron, berry fruit acidity with slight scalded milk, and greenish notes; it's quite harmonious. On the palate it's full, and bright, with dusky cherry fruit supported by deft berry fruit acidity and slight brambles, and by tannins that are smooth and sweet and flow into an elegant cherry fruit finish. Pleasant and will also age nicely.
2 stars
Sebaste Mauro Monvigliero Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections. The bouquet is greenish with leaf tobacco, berry fruit, some spice, and rosa canina; it's lively, with nice acidity, and inviting. On the palate it's bright, with lively berry fruit acidity and bright cherry fruit supported by smooth sweet tannins that flow into a long sour cherry finish with slight dusky tannic underpinning. Pleasant in a fairly traditional key.
2 stars
Wines from the Commune of Serralunga Ascheri Sorano Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep almandine with cherry ruby rim. The bouquet is fresh, with bright cherry fruit supported by greenish accents, spice, cracked cherries, some leaf tobacco and green leather; it's elegant and powerful On the palate it's bright, with fresh slightly jammy cherry fruit supported by tannins that are a touch drier than expected, some acidity that has scalded milk accents, and flows into a dry finish with some cedar and some berry fruit. Less interesting on palate than nose.
2 stars
Ascheri Sorano Coste e Bricco Barolo DOCG 2007
An IGP Selection Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly rich, with cherry fruit supported by some menthol and spice, and chewy cherry fruit; it's fresh and young. On the palate it's full, and powerful, with crushed cherry fruit supported by powerful tannins that have a warm dusky burr, flow into a clean tannic finish. Very young, needs at least a couple of years -- when it's ready it will display nice balance and depth in a middle of the road key.
2 stars
Batasiolo Vigneto Corda della Briccolina Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections. The bouquet is powerful, with cherry plum fruit supported by plum accents, alcohol, some acidity, and greenish spice; it displays nice depth in a more international key On the palate it's fairly rich, and a bit less powerful than nose suggests, with tart berry fruit supported by sour berry fruit acidity and tannins that have a dusky bitter burr, and flow into a fairly long cedar laced finish with warmth and some bitterness.
2 stars
Batasiolo Vigneto Boscareto Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. Rustic nose, with lathered horse, some balsamic accents, greenish notes, spice, and moderate berry fruit. On the palate it's fairly rich, with slightly balsamic berry fruit supported by smooth sweet tannins, sea salt, and moderate acidity; in the finish, which is long, the tannins gain a cedary burr. If you like a more traditional style -- it's far from a soft wine -- you will like it.
2 stars
Baudana Luigi Baudana Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is ripe, with candied berry fruit supported by hardwood ash, some menthol alcohol, some spice, and as it opens hints of truffle. On the palate it's bright, and ready, with lively cherry fruit supported by some jammy accents, fairly bright acidity, tannins that have some greenish notes, and a pleasant tannic, spicy finish. Nice depth, fresh, middle of the road key.
2 stars
Baudana Luigi Cerretta Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, with berry fruit with oak and oak bitterness, graphite shavings and dusky penetrating spice; the effect is brooding. On the palate it's bright, with moderately intense berry fruit supported by tannins that separate from the fruit, and have a dry cedar laced burr that needs time to work into wine. At present overly tannic with too much cedar.
1 star
Casa Vinicola E. di Mirafiori Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections. The bouquet is smoky and savory with berry fruit supported by dusky brooding greenish mentholated accents and some balsam, with warmth and animal hair. An interesting mix. On the palate it's ample, and laxer than expected, with moderate ripe greenish berry fruit with slight jammy notes supported by moderate acidity, and smooth dusky tannins that have slight bitter accents and flow into a greenish finish. I found it a touch settled, but would give it time because I think it will likely come around.
2 stars
Cascina Cucco Barolo DOCG 2007
Crystalline almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is intense, with plum cherry fruit supported by spice, jammy notes, some menthol, goudron, some cedar and spice. Massive. On the palate it's full, with greenish berry fruit supported by dusky tannic bitterness and some greenish berry fruit acidity that flows into a clean rather greenish finish; it's pleasant in a fairly large key, though it displays some depth as well, and the acidity provides nice direction. It grew on me.
2 stars
Cascina Cucco Cerrati Vigna Cucco Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly rich, with cherry fruit supported by berry fruit jam, some greenish vegetal accents, spice, and slightly brambly acidity. On the palate it's bright, with ripe cherry fruit supported by moderately intense tannins and by fairly deft berry fruit acidity; it's more graceful than powerful, and displays pleasing finesse on the palate will become ethereal with time
2 stars
Cascina Cucco Cerrati Barolo DOCG 2007
An IGP Selection
Deep black almandine with black reflections The bouquet is rich, and slightly jammy, with cherry fruit supported by berry fruit jam and some greenish accents, slight concord grapes, slight vegetal notes, slight cedar. On the palate it's scrappier than the nose suggests, with moderate berry fruit supported by cedary tannins that have a distinct burr and flow into a warm tannic finish. It needs time, because the tannins are out of whack, but does have considerable potential. The score reflects today.
2 stars
Ceretto Bricco Rocche Prapò Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is powerful, and cooked, with jammy berry fruit supported by stewed cherries, considerable vanilla, and some spice. A bit overblown. On the palate it's ample and soft, with cooked cherry plum fruit supported by fairly deft plum acidity and by tannins that are warm and sweet with a cedary cocoa cast that carries into a long finish that becomes quite dry. Very ripe, and if you like this oaked style you will enjoy it, but you have to like it.
1 star
Gabutti Azienda Agricola - Boasso Serralunga Barolo DOCG 2007
Almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is eye opening, with cooked cherry fruit and some cedar, some jammy accents, and also some badly overripe berry fruit of the sort that begins to be sharp. On the palate it's ample, with moderate almost brandied berry fruit supported by warmth and ample very dry tannins that dry out the mouth. Lacks substance.
1 star
Gabutti Azienda Agricola - Boasso Margheria Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet has ripe cherry fruit supported by warmth, alcohol, greenish accents and some spice with slight dusky shadow. On the palate it's bright, with fairly rich cherry fruit supported by bright acidity and by tannins that are smooth, flowing into a bright sour berry fruit finish. The tannins aren't quite up to snuff; they're a little thin and a bit green. I'd have liked more depth and richness to the palate, and would give it time, in the hopes that it becomes ethereal
1 star
Gabutti Azienda Agricola - Boasso Gabutti Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep almandine with black reflections almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly rich, with jammy cherry fruit supported by alcohol, sweetness, and some leather; it's quite ripe. On the palate it's fruity on the outset, with tannins that start smooth but become peppery and quite angry, covering the tongue with a cedary veneer. It needs at least a couple of years for the tannins to fold in, and they may never really do so.
1 star
Germano Ettore Cerretta Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is a bit rustic, with balsamic accents and some wet stable straw, wet leather, savory notes, sea salt, and penetrating acidity minerality, but not much fruit. On the palate it's ample, with very ripe cherry fruit supported by moderate acidity and some greenish notes; the tannins are warm and have a slight burr, and flow into a dry tannic finish. It's very young in a fairly traditional key, but I would have liked more brightness and verve, and a touch more fullness. It may do nice things with times, but the dryness of the finish is worrisome.
2 stars
Germano Ettore Prapò Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly rich, with floral accents, spice, berry fruit, some duskiness, jammy notes, and some bell pepper On the palate it's full, with bright cherry fruit supported by berry fruit acidity and dusky tannins that flow into a greenish berry fruit finish with warm tannic underpinning. Nice depth though quite young, in a fairly traditional key, and will become ethereal with time
2 stars
Germano Ettore Serralunga Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. Rustic nose, with balsamic accents, wet stable straw, some wet leather, lathered horse, some bramble, and rosa canina, On the palate it's savory, with sour cherry fruit supported by tannins that have some stable straw accents to them and flow into a fairly long tannic finish with mineral accents. Old style taken to extremes, and you have to like the style to enjoy the wine. If you do (and I rather did) you will enjoy it and it will become ethereal with time.
1 star
Gigi Rosso Airone Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep almandine with black reflections and cherry rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, with berry fruit supported by spice and some minerality; with slight greenish peppery accents and peppery spice. Pleasant. On the palate it's full, with bright fresh cherry fruit supported by deft berry fruit acidity and smooth sweet tannins that have considerable structure and a youthful burr, it flows into a moderately long berry fruit finish. Still coming together in a fairly traditional key, and will improve.
2 stars
Grimaldi Bruna Badarina Barolo DOCG 2007
Almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, and spicy, with red berry fruit supported by mentholated greenish accents, some cedar, and slight scalded milk. On the palate it's full, with bright ripe cherry fruit supported by berry fruit acidity, slight minerality, and tannins that are warm and have a youthful burr, flowing into a rather bitter finish in which some cedar emerges. Very young -- it needs a couple of years -- in a middle of the road and may become quite interesting with time.
2 stars
Grimaldi Bruna Bricco Ambrogio Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep slightly brownish almandine with black reflections. The bouquet is powerful, and a bit cooked, with berry fruit and cedar mingled with brambly accents and hints of camphor, nose tingling acidity, and some spice; the fruit is eclipsed by acidity and bramble On the palate it's ample and rich, with bright cherry raspberry fruit on outset that's fairly sweet, supported by berry fruit acidity, and by moderately intense tannins that are fairly sweet.
2 stars
Grimaldi Bruna Camilla Barolo DOCG 2007
Brownish almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly rich, with berry fruit and some greenish notes, slight camphor, cedar, and considerable greenish spice. On the palate it's full, with rather greenish berry fruit supported by moderate berry fruit acidity, spice, and tannins that are smooth, flowing into a clean fresh finish that displays nice depth and elegance.
2 stars
Manzone Paolo Serralunga Barolo DOCG 2007
Slightly brownish almandine with black reflections, and almandine rim paling to orange. It looks older than it is. The bouquet is eye opening, with bell peppers, old leather, menthol, some pee (of the human variety), some vegetal notes, and as it opens some of the animal notes fade in favor of unusually floral aromatics reminiscent of Ruché. On the palate it's empty and sweet, with berry fruit that again brings Ruché to mind, supported by tannins that are rather splintery and by moderate acidity. Odd.
1 star
Manzone Paolo Meirame Barolo DOCG 2007
Black almandine with black reflections, slight browning at the rim. The bouquet is intense and quite oaky, with clean cedar of the barrel slat variety, some spice, and not much fruit. On the palate it's full, with richer than expected berry fruit supported by jammy berry fruit acidity that has slight candied accents, and tannins that are monolithic and cedar laced but not dry, flows into a cedar and berry fruit finish. New style, and needs time for the nose to come together and emerge. If it follows the palate be pleasant in a modern key.
2 stars
Massolino Vigna Rionda Parussi Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly rich, with berry fruit supported by greenish accents and some spice, and also some cedar. On the palate it's bright, with fresh cherry fruit supported by deft acidity, and by fairly light, deft tannins with some mineral underpinning that flow into a clean mineral cherry finish with tannic underpinning.
2 stars
Massolino Vigna Rionda Margheria Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is vegetal, with greenish accents, some spice, leaf tobacco, and duskiness. On the palate it's full, with jammy cherry fruit supported by moderate berry fruit acidity and tannins that have sweet vanilla accents, and flow into a fairly long tannic vanilla laced finish with lasting bitterness and some underlying sweetness. The fruit is a little more tired than I might have liked.
1 star
Massolino Vigna Rionda Parafada Barolo DOCG 2007
An IGP Selection
Almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly rich, with powerful rosa canina mingled with leaf tobacco and green leather, and underlying spice. Deft in a traditional key. On the palate it's bright, with bright cherry fruit supported by deft berry fruit acidity and by tannins that have a youthful splintery burr and flow into a warm tannic finish with underlying berry fruit. Pleasant in a traditional key, and if you like the style you will enjoy it.
2 stars
Palladino Serralunga Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, with leaf tobacco and leather supported by nose tingling spice, some smoke, and brambles with some sweetish accents. Pleasant. On the palate it's bright, with lively sour cherry fruit supported by tannins that have slight peppery accents, and by fairly bright sour berry fruit acidity that flows into a peppery black pepper finish. Pleasant but very young in a traditional key, needs another year to get its bearings.
2 stars
Palladino Parafada Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep almandine with black reflections and almandine rim paling to orange. The bouquet is moderately intense, and brambly, with some leather, acidity, savory accents, and bramble, but not much fruit. On the palate it's fairly rich, with moderate berry fruit supported by peppery accents that carry into a decidedly tannic finish. I found it lacking in verve and oomph.
1 star
Pio Cesare Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections. The bouquet is powerful, with intense cedar and some leather, penetrating, like a person in your face, but not too pleasant. On the palate it's dry, with moderate berry fruit supported by tannins that have a bitter cedar laced burr that becomes splintery in the finish.
1 star
Pio Cesare Ornato Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly rich, with candied berry fruit with some cedar and slight greenish accents, and fairly intense spice; it's charged in a ripe key. On the palate it's full, and ripe, with cherry plum fruit supported by warm tannins that have a cedary burr and moderate acidity, flowing into a greenish fairly dry tannic finish. Youth but also extraction from oak. If you like the style, which is ripe but red more than plum fruit, and like extraction you will enjoy it. I found it oaky.
2 stars
Porro Guido Lazzairasco Barolo DOCG 2007
An IGP Selection
Almandine with black reflections and almandine rim; it's paler than some. The bouquet is rich, with mentholated berry fruit with vegetal accents, bell peppers, spice, some rosa canina, some leaf tobacco, some nose tingling acidity and slight wet leather. Comes across as airy. On the palate it's fresh, with rich sour cherry fruit supported by lively berry fruit acidity and by tannins that are smooth and fairly rich, deft. Graceful in a middle of the road key, with pleasant richness of fruit, revolves more around finesse than power, and if you like the style you will enjoy it.
2 stars
Porro Guido S. Caterina Barolo DOCG 2007
An IGP Selection
Almandine with black reflections, almandine rim, and bright ruby reflections too. The bouquet is fairly intense, and jammy with greenish accents and berry fruit, some menthol, some heather, and considerable spice, nutmeg in particular. On the palate it's quite ripe, with berry fruit that has some plum (ripe, not prune) accents and a cheeky slightly vegetal feel, and is supported by moderate acidity and tannins that have a peppery burr, flowing into a bright finish with ripe fruit and moderate tannins. I'd have liked a little more depth and verve to the tannins, which do dry some, and need a year to fold in. This said, it will age nicely, in a pleasant middle of the road key, and displays considerable potential
2 stars
Rivetto Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is moderately intense, with spice and some fruit, but more nose tingling acidity, and if one insists plum and greenish accents. Closed. Brooding. Big. On the palate it's ample and soft, with ripe cherry plum fruit supported by moderate acidity, ample tannins that are smooth with a greenish burr and flow into a fairly long full finish. If you like the style you will enjoy it, but you have to like the style.
2 stars
Schiavenza Serralunga Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep almandine with black reflections. The bouquet is rich, with mentholated rosa canina, floral notes, leaf tobacco, and some underlying berry fruit. On the palate it's bright, and rich, with pleasant berry fruit supported by smooth sweet tannins and brisk mineral acidity. Deft in a fairly traditional key, and has quite a bit to say.
2 stars
Schiavenza Broglio Barolo DOCG 2007
Lively almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly rich, with leather and leaf tobacco mingled with some floral accents, and as it opens cedar. On the palate it's fairly rich, in a middle of the road key, with bright cherry fruit supported by lively cherry acidity and by tannins that are fairly splintery, a factor of youth, and flow into a clean rather bitter finish with a peppery tannic underpinning. It needs time, at least a year, and will be pleasant in a fairly rich key.
2 stars
Schiavenza Prapò Barolo DOCG 2007
An IGP Selection
Bright almandine ruby with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is deft, with berry fruit and some red berry fruit supported by leather, leaf tobacco, some rosa canina, and pleasant spice. Elegant. On the palate it's bright, with lively red berry fruit supported by deft berry fruit acidity and tannins that are smooth and fresh, and flow into a clean savory finish with tannic underpinning. Elegant, and will drink very well with foods; it also has considerable aging potential and will do interesting things with time.
2 stars
Sciavenza Bricco Bricco Cerretta Barolo DOCG 2007
Deep almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly rich, with cherry plum fruit supported by pleasant floral accents, hints of violets and rosa canina, some menthol, and spice. Nice balance and depth, quite fresh. On the palate it's bright, with mentholated berry fruit supported by bright berry fruit acidity -- some raspberry and some plum -- and by tannins that have a slight splintery burr that emerges powerfully in the finish. Quite fresh, but the tannins need time to fold in. I'd expect it to age well, improving and becoming ethereal with time
2 stars
Sebaste Mauro Prapò Barolo DOCG 2007
An IGP Selection Deep almandine with black reflections almandine rim. The bouquet is powerful, and rich, with greenish vegetal notes, berry fruit, spice, leaf tobacco some greenish cedar, alcohol, and quite intense nose tingling spice. On the palate it's full, with moderately intense cherry plum fruit -- I had expected more -- supported by moderate acidity and tannins that are moderately intense, and have a splintery burr with some chocolaty accents. Given the nose I had expected somewhat more on the palate, but it is still very young and coming together.
2 stars
Three 2007 Barbaresco Wines
Fontanafredda Rubin Barbaresco DOCG 2007
Lively almandine ruby with brilliant reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fresh, with some menthol and some greenish accents, spice, moderate berry fruit, and some brambles; nice depth in a more delicate key. On the palate it's bright, with lively cherry fruit supported by deft berry fruit acidity and tannins that are warm and have a slight splintery burr, flowing into a tannic finish with lasting warmth and some cocoa; it's still quite young, and needs another couple of years. Expect it to be middle of the road key, and it has considerable potential
2 stars
Rizzi Rizzi Barbaresco DOCG 2007
An IGP Selection
Almandine with ruby reflections and almandine rim; it's paler than many. The bouquet is moderately intense, with rosa canina, mineral notes, some red berry fruit, fairly bright acidity that has hints of tamarind too, and raspberry. On the palate it's bright, with lively cherry fruit supported by sour berry fruit acidity and tannins that have a warm splintery burr and flow into a bright slightly tannic finish. Graceful and very young; it needs 3-5 years.
2 stars
Rizzi Boito Barbaresco DOCG 2007
An IGP Selection
Lively almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, and rather metallic at first swish, with nose tingling spice and some wet tree bark, tamarind, tartness, green leather, spice. Opens nicely in a very austere key. On the palate it's full, and rich (without the austerity noted on the nose), with pleasingly ripe cherry fruit supported by smooth sweet tannins and moderate berry fruit acidity, which flow into a clean fairly bright berry fruit finish. Pleasant, with nice depth; it's not quite as bright as the Rizzi, but is quite approachable.
2 stars
2006 Barbaresco
Montaribaldi Ricu Barbaresco DOCG 2006
Leathery almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is a bit more tired, with moderate berry fruit and some savory accents, plum cherry fruit and some spice; it's fairly mature and there are balsamic accents as well. On the palate it's ample and soft, with moderately intense plum cherry fruit supported by cedar-laced tannins that are quite dry, and flow into a rather bitter very tannic finish.
1 star
2004 Barbaresco
Cortese Giuseppe Rabajà Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2004
Lively ruby with bright reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is rustic, with balsamic notes and wet stable straw mingled with some coffee grounds, spice. Powerful and particular. On the palate it's full, smooth, fairly rich, with bright berry fruit supported by tart berry fruit acidity and by tannins that are smooth and fairly sweet, and flow into a fairly long tart finish. Mature, and if you like the style, which is fairly rustic on the nose, you will enjoy it. But you have to like the style, which is decidedly not modern.
2 stars
A Few Older Barolos
2006 Barolo
Cascina del Monastero Bricco Riund Barolo DOCG 2006
Deep almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, with rosa canina and spice mingled with some minerality and dusky accents, and some berry fruit and wet leaves; it is clearly a little older but pleasant. On the palate it's ample and smooth, bright berry fruit supported by savory notes and tannins that are warm and rather salty, flow into a clean savory finish with tart berry fruit underpinning, Powerful, the tannins are steelier than those of the 07's, with nice depth: a good food wine that will work well with a hearty stew, and also age well.
2 stars
Gagliasso Barolo Riserva DOCG 2005
Deep almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is moderately intense, cedar laced, and fairly bright, with some mint, leather and leaf tobacco. Nice depth. On the palate it's quite pleasant, with ripe cherry fruit supported by smooth sweet tannins and by deft sour berry fruit acidity with raspberry accents. Nice depth and elegance.
2 stars
Oddero Poderi e Cantine Vigna Rionda Barolo 2005 DOCG
Deep black almandine with black reflections. The bouquet is bright and mentholated, with some minerality and bright berry fruit acidity. On the palate it's bright, with lively berry fruit supported by oak bark-laced acidity and by tannins that are fresh and quite dry, and flow into a warm fresh berry fruit finish. Pleasant, and will drink quite well with foods, the tannins are dry and aggressive, and if you like the style you will enjoy it considerably.
2 stars
Oddero Poderi e Cantine Collaretto Langhe Bianco DOC 2009
Pale brassy yellow with brassy greenish reflections. The bouquet is bright, and vegetal, with nice acidity, slight minerality, greenish notes, heather, and bramble On the palate it's smooth, rather languid, with white fruit supported by languid citric acidity, flowing into some heather and mint in the finish. Pleasant in a fairly direct key
1 star
Oddero Poderi e Cantine Cascina Fiori Moscato D'Asti DOC 2010
Pale brassy white with fine perlage. Rich sweet nose, with peaches, honey, honeydew melon -- it's almost chewy in its sweetness -- and apricots, a cornucopia On the palate it's full, and sweet, with pleasant honeydew melon supported by moderate citric acidity -- enough to keep it alive -- and sweetness, while the sparkle provides depth and elegance. Quite pleasant in a rather honey laced key.
2 stars
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