Results for: "Barolo / Nebbiolo, Piedmont"

"This is a very special library release. The 2016 vintage is one of the greatest of our lifetime. A forward-thinking family estate, known for their impeccably balanced and polished Barolos, agreed to release a small parcel of their classic 2016 from their cellars for us. Now with years of perfect cellaring, this wine is entering its prime. The tannins have resolved into silk, revealing complex notes of dried cherry, tar, leather, and cocoa. It is a harmonious, complete, and utterly classic Barolo that is ready to drink tonight. A rare chance to enjoy a perfectly aged wine without having to wait."

For our classic Barolo, I turned to a rising-star estate whose meticulous vineyard work in the stunning 2021 vintage produced a wine of incredible purity and elegance. This is the definition of a "discovery." The wine offers soaring aromatics of pure red fruits—crushed raspberry, cherry, and rose petal—with a vibrant, energetic palate supported by fine, silky tannins. It’s a beautifully transparent and fragrant Barolo that captures the finesse of the vintage. It’s a chance to get in on the ground floor with a future star of the region.

The Mosconi cru in Monforte d'Alba is famous for its powerful, structured, and long-lived Barolos. In a phenomenal vintage like 2021, the wines are electric. A producer I work with, known for their modern-classic style, usually blends their small parcel of Mosconi into their main Barolo. The quality was so exceptional this year that I convinced them to bottle it separately for us. The result is a powerhouse: dark cherry, plum, crushed rock, and balsamic notes are supported by massive but noble tannins. This is a profound, site-specific Barolo that demands time in the cellar and will reward the patient collector handsomely.

The 2021 Barolo Sperss is a jeweled ruby color and has a beguiling matched balance of power and finesse. Seamless from start to finish, it offers notes of black raspberries, sweet flowers, fresh herbs, and apricot. It’s saturating with a medium-bodied richness that expands through the palate, with refined, polished tannins, even acidity, and a profound length on the finish. It’s a harmonious and resonating wine with a lot to enjoy over the next several decades. (AF)

From one of the denomination’s leading traditional producers, this gorgeous, elegant Barolo opens with floral aromas of dried rose petals, woodland berries, leather, spice and whiffs of balsamic herbs. The delicious palate seamlessly combines crunchy red cherry-berry, white pepper and mint balanced by firm but polished tannins and bright acidity. This is a hallmark Barolo full of finesse that will age majestically.

When discussing traditional Piedmontese winemaking, the Bovio family holds a revered place in La Morra. Originally famous as local restaurateurs, the late Gianfranco Bovio revitalized his father's estate in the 1970s, establishing a winery that has become a benchmark for classic, terroir-driven Nebbiolo. Today, the third generation continues this legacy, deeply committed to preserving the historic style of the Langhe. The "Firagnetti" Langhe Nebbiolo—named after a Piedmontese dialect term referring to a vineyard area with short rows—is the perfect introduction to the Bovio philosophy. Sourced from the estate’s younger vines, this wine offers the noble pedigree of Barolo without the prerequisite decade of cellaring. The vines thrive in the calcareous-clay soils of La Morra, known for yielding Nebbiolo with pronounced elegance and perfume rather than brute force. In the glass, it reveals a brilliant, translucent ruby color. The nose is incredibly expressive, offering a classic bouquet of dried cherries, crushed roses, and the subtle hint of leather and spice that defines the grape. On the palate, it is vibrant and approachable. Instead of gripping tannins, it delivers a lively freshness and a graceful, spicy finish, making it a dream pairing for agnolotti del plin or roasted poultry.

Bid on this bottle of 1995 Gaja "Sperss" Barolo (94WS, (91-93ST)). Wine Spectator: "Power and charm combine in this exotic, black-colored, beautifully perfumed, balanced Barolo. Sure, it's a barrique-boosted Nebbiolo, but look at the exquisite result: sweet tannins, full body, exciting violet, blackberry, mint, smoke and tar notes, and a rock-solid but harmonious finish. (PM)" (11/1999)

Bid on this 3-magnum lot of 2010 Elio Grasso Rüncot Barolo Riserva (1.5L) in original wood.

Bid on this 3-magnum lot of 1997 Conterno Fantino Sori Ginestra Barolo (1.5L).

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 2005 Paolo Scavino "Rocche dell Annunziata" Barolo Riserva (96VN, 93JS). Vinous: "Scavino's 2005 Barolo Riserva Rocche dell'Annunziata is all class, not to mention one of the wines of the vintage. Silky, nuanced and polished to the core, the Rocche oozes class. An exotic mélange of dark red cherry, pomegranate, sweet spice, mint and rose petals blossoms in the glass. The balance of fruit, acidity and tannin is absolutely compelling, but it is the wine's centeredness and overall poise that elevate it to its lofty standing. (AG)" (11/2015)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 1961 Giacomo Borgogno & Figli Barolo Riserva (95JS, 92VN, 91RP). James Suckling: "An ethereal red with amazingly complex and subtle aromas of dried rose petals, red cherries and star anise. Cedar too. It's delicate yet dense and changes every minute in the glasses." (06/2013)

Bid on this magnum of 2004 Giuseppe E Figlio Mascarello "Monprivato" Barolo (1.5L) (96RP, 96VN, 92ST, 90WS). Vinous: "The 2004 Barolo Monprivato is utterly magnificent in its freshness, nuance and delineation. Sweet floral notes meld effortlessly into hard candy, wild flowers, rose petal and pomegranate, all supported by super-fine tannins. I very much admire the sense of energy here. The 2004 is striking today, but it is also quite young. Readers who are seeking fully mature flavors will want to give the 2004 at least a few more years in bottle. (AG)" (05/2015)

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 2015 Oddero "Vigna Rionda" Barolo (95RP, 94KO, 92VN). Wine Advocate: "With fruit from Serralunga d'Alba, the Figli Luigi Oddero 2015 Barolo Vignarionda is saturated and rich, showing dark fruit, black cherry, plum, campfire ash, iron and rusty nail. Vignarionda awards flavors and tastes with a strong sense of place, and territory-driven characteristics are especially evident in this vintage. To the palate, the wine is smooth and rich with integrated tannins. (ML) 95+" (06/2021)

Bid on this 5-bottle lot of 2015 Cavallotto "Bricco Boschis" Barolo (96RP, 94WS, 91VN, 90DC). Wine Advocate: "I had tasted this wine from barrel last year, and the wine was already shaping up beautifully back then. Staying the course, the 2015 Barolo Bricco Boschis shows extreme elegance and finesse. These are the characteristics of what is surely one of the most beautiful vineyard sites in Barolo. The Bricco Boschis cru affords a panoramic view onto much of the Langhe, with snowcapped Alps in the background. Barolo from Castiglione Falletto tends to show characteristics that are very fine, precise and linear. That's fundamentally what you get here despite the more exuberant and fleshy 2015 vintage. This wine is truly beautiful. (ML)" (06/2019)

This red is like a laser, yet there’s also a sappiness to its texture midpalate, with cherry, cranberry, rose hip, menthol and mineral flavors. Notable for its harmony, complexity and length, with an aftertaste that just keeps coming. Best from 2029 through 2047. 856 cases made, 180 cases imported. (BS)

A graceful wine with cinnamon, earth, strawberries, sweet violets and leesy complexity. There is a lot of fruit depth, with a full body, lifted acidity and dense, ripe, velvety tannins. The finish is polished yet tight. Drinkable now, but best from 2027.

I’ve tasted the 2019 Barolo Monfortino three times before bottling at the estate, and it’s one of those vintages where no Francia was made, so all the fruit went into the Monfortino. This is a highly structured expression of the cuvée, yet it shows remarkable finesse and nimbleness in the glass. Aromas of leather, smoky earth, cherries, and floral cologne emerge with clarity and depth. The palate is tightly woven and precise, with firm yet balanced tannins, vibrant acidity, and a long, resonant finish. It’s already showing beautifully, and this is truly as good as it gets. The nobility of its structure is profound and promises decades of evolution. Speaking with Roberto Conterno during this tasting, he likened the wine to the 2013, but noted that it carries more elegance even now, something he attributes to the inclusion of Arrione in the final blend. (AF)

The distinctive amphitheater that is Gavarini in Monforte d’Alba is situated just north of Ginestra. The 2017 Barolo Gavarini Chiniera is nuanced with perfectly ripe cherry, cinnamon, cedar, and menthol. It delivers a high level of refinement on the palate, with super-fine tannins, orange peel, pomegranate, and dried roses. (AF)

The 2019 Barolo Conteisa is stunning. A wine of grace, power and finesse, the 2019 is immediately captivating. Crushed flowers, cinnamon, red berry fruit and rose petal are all beautifully lifted, all wrapped by silky La Morra tannins that add to its finesse. Readers will find an exquisite Barolo endowed with tremendous class. The 2019 is just sublime.

Restrained, fresh and sleek, showing watermelon, mints, potpourri and deep embers with vibrant strawberries and blood oranges. Incredibly elegant on the palate, with smooth, graceful tannins despite the full body, density and tense acidity. Dried-flower flavors are persistent and savory. Harmonious. October 2026 release. Drink then or hold. (AF)

The 2020 Barolo Sperss is a bright red color and reveals an incredibly floral profile of rose petals and ripe strawberries. Aromatically light on its feet, with a joyous feel, on the palate the structure is more focused and compact, with mineral undertones that weave through with more a defined nature. It needs more time, but this is a fantastic red to drink over the coming 30 years. (AF)

With judicious oak and extraction, the 2021 is well put together and chock full of flavour. Clean, vibrant aromas exude a harmonising mix of tarragon, nutmeg and fennel. Dense without being heavy, the strawberry soaked palate is carried by a long, vaulted arch of grainy tannins. Finishes with an orange twist. Gianmatteo (Jimmy) and his friends Fabrizio Giraudo and Luciano Racca started off making Dolcetto 20 years ago before Jimmy’s father-in-law entrusted him with his small Barolo parcel in Perno. (MM)

Fascinating aromas of spice, dried fruit, mushrooms, licorice and dried strawberries follow through to a full body with tight and chewy tannins and a long, flavorful finish. Very tannic still.

Mascarello’s 2007 Barolo shows just how compelling this vintage can be, even now. Sensual, layered and totally voluptuous in the glass, the 2007 shows the more flamboyant side of Barolo. I find the wine’s voluptuous, engaging personality impossible to resist. Sure, 2007 is not a classic vintage, but when a wine is this good, I say: Who cares? (AG)

A restrained and fresh wine focused on licorice, red currants, violets and watermelon. It’s almost zesty in acidity, with a tight palate, a medium body and dusty yet ripe, lightly framed tannins. Drinkable now, but best from 2026.

Approachable nose of melons, watermelon, red currants and peach peel. Medium- to full-bodied, it shows velvety tannins, juicy acidity and a savory finish with licorice notes. Drink or hold.

Do you have a favorite pair of jeans or a favorite dress that you keep in your closet for all occasions? That's the equivalent of this wine. The G.D. Vajra 2021 Barolo Albe is an enormously versatile expression of Nebbiolo, with an affordable price, that offers more value for your money than most Barolos out there. The bouquet focuses on dark berry, pressed flower and crushed stone. It offers good sharpness over broad lines. The mouthfeel is medium-plus in texture and it closes with silky, accessible tannins. Fruit comes from three cru sites: Coste di Vergne, Fossati and La Volta. (ML)

Assertive aromas of graphite, violets, mint and chalky minerality. A stunning, precise wine focused on elegance, with citrus flavors, a full body and lavish, velvety tannins supported by freshness. Long, youthful and savory aftertaste. Try from 2026, but best after 2030.

This is very powerful and structured, with aromas of black truffles, graphite and hints of dried thyme and cedar. Medium- to full-bodied and chewy yet polished. Hints of terra cotta and dark fruit. The finish goes on and on. March 2024 release. Best after 2028.

The 2010 Barolo Le Vigne is brilliant. Focused and explosive in its aromatic intensity, the 2010 is fresh and wonderfully nuanced in the glass. It is also aging at a slower rate than the Cannubi Boschis. At nearly ten years of age, the 2010 is fresh, vibrant and so full of energy. It is also every bit as memorable as it was on release. (AG)

The 2007 Barolo Cascina Francia is an unusual version of this benchmark wine. In 2007 Conterno decided against bottling his Monfortino. Conterno believes Nebbiolo can handle rain and humidity (hence his decision to make Monfortino in rainy years such as 1987 and 2002), but not drought. The result is a Cascina Francia that is unusually dark, rich and powerful. The floral, herbal notes that are typical in young Cascina Francia have been replaced by deeper notes of tar, smoke and licorice to match the layers of intense dark fruit. The 2007 is powerful and imposing from start to finish. It is going to be a fascinating Barolo to follow over the coming years and decades. (AG) 96+

A very exuberant yet delicate nose of rose petals, clementine peel and raspberries. The palate is medium-bodied with supple red fruit and silky tannins. Very pleasant. Drink now or hold. (JS)

At an alfresco dinner party with friends, this was the unequivocal wine of the night. It captures both greatness of site and singularity of producer, simply haunting in its exquisitely defined nuances of hazelnut, incense, sweet herbs, raspberry tea and truffles. Fluid and racy with crisp acidity, its long-chained, textured tannins caress the mouth. So digestible and drinkable yet complex and detailed, this feels timeless. May very well keep soaring well beyond a decade. (MM)

Restrained and perfumed, showing bright licorice root, wild strawberries, watermelon and fresh violets. Full-bodied yet not exuberant, this subtle, elegant Barolo has firm, fine-grained and condensed tannins with persistent acidity and a savory, sanguine finish. October 2026 release. Almost drinkable now yet intended for long aging. (AF)

The 2010 Barolo Ravera is one of the greatest wines I have ever tasted from Vietti. Stunning. It's as simple as that Freshly cut flowers, mint, spices, crushed rocks and pine jump from the glass in a vivid, crystalline wine endowed with captivating purity, clarity and finesse. The 2010 takes hold of the palate and never lets up, gaining body, breadth and volume over time. A breathtaking, perfumed finish rounds out the finish. The Ravera represents a bit of a stylistic departure for Vietti and a return to a more traditional style of winemaking. The 2010 was done entirely in cask, with minimal racking. In its early years, it was virtually impossible to taste as the reductive winemaking style gave a wine with closed aromatics and searing tannin. Today, the 2010 is beginning to blossom into an epic Barolo. The 2010 Ravera may well be the single greatest Barolo Luca Currado has ever made. It is also a wine that, along with the Barolos of Elvio Cogno, show just how much potential the hills of Ravera have to offer. Readers who can find the 2010 Ravera should not hesitate. It is a legendary, benchmark Barolo in the making. As an aside, a bottle of the 1999 I tasted last year was extraordinary, and it was made in the slightly more modern style that was typical at Vietti during that era. (AG)

Bid on this bottle of 2016 Cavallotto "Bricco Boschis" Barolo (99KO, 98RP, 95WS, 93VN). Kerin O'Keefe: "Aromas of woodland berry, underbrush, hazelnut and camphor form the nose along with a whiff of rose petal on this captivating, delicious wine. The full-bodied, structured palate is still young and primary but already shows raspberry compote, ripe Marasca cherry, star anise, tobacco and the barest hint of game . Tightly knit, noble tannins and fresh acidity provide the firm frame and impart serious aging potential. Hold for even more complexity. " (03/2020)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 1997 Giuseppe e Figlio Mascarello "Monprivato" Barolo (93VN, 92RP). Vinous: "Good saturated full red. Jammy, liqueur-like perfume on the nose. Silky, highly concentrated and quite penetrating, with an intriguing floral complexity. Boasts superb depth of fruit and inner-mouth perfume. Really builds on the back half, finishing with big, tongue-dusting tannins. (ST)" (09/2001)

Bid on this 3-magnum lot of 2001 Conterno Fantino Sori Ginestra Barolo (1.5L) (99WS, 95ST, 94RP, 93WE). Wine Spectator: Pure crushed berries and plums, with just a hint of wood and fresh mushroom. Full-bodied and compacted, with loads of rich fruit and big, velvety tannins. Gorgeous wine. Huge concentration, yet balanced. Greatest wine ever from here and the wine of the vintage. *Top 100 Wines of 2005, Collectibles* (JS) (10/2005)

Intense and rich aromas of ripe red cherries, pressed flowers and watermelon. Light- to medium-bodied with ripe black cherry flavors, dusty yet dynamic tannins and a crisp, chewy finish. Try from October.

The 2021 Barolo Ginestra Casa Mate displays a bit more ruby and deeper pigment in the glass and has notes of raspberry liqueur, sweet sage, pressed flowers, cedar, and licorice. It’s very pretty on the nose and carries more sapidity to the palate while also retaining lovely purity, with ripe tannins, slightly broader shoulders, and a long finish. Both of the Barolo have a tremendous amount to offer, but with distinctive personalities, and for my taste, this one has a slight edge. (I also wouldn’t be surprised if that were to flip with a different mood and tasting.) The perfumes of both the wines are exceptional in this fantastic vintage. Drink 2027-2057. (AF)

Begun with a mere two hectares of vines nearly 160 years ago, Gaja is now a titan of the wine world. While Angelo Gaja is widely credited (rightly so) with moving the estate down the path on which it has now garnered heaps of accolades, it was his father Giovanni who instilled in him the entrepreneurial spirit that led to many of the estate's most successful marketing and production innovations, including featuring the family name in bold lettering on the labels, promoting single-vineyard bottlings, and planting non-Piemontese varietals.

The 2022 Giulia Negri "La Tartufaia" Barolo is elegant and fragrant, named for the truffle forest surrounding the vines. The nose is a complex mix of wild cherry, espresso, and dried flowers with a distinct earthy, forest-floor undertone. On the palate, it offers juicy red fruit and sandy tannins, providing more immediate texture and "resonance" than her other labels. It finishes with a saline mineral grip and a lift of alpine herbs.

My favorite wine of the flight, the Barale Fratelli 2021 Barolo del Comune di Barolo hints at some of the savory notes (like cured meat and dried tobacco leaf) that we saw in the rest of the range; however, this wine has a stronger and fresher fruit side with cherry and blackberry. It is fermented in stainless steel and matured in French botti for 30 months. (ML)

Structured but extremely elegant, this opens with an intense fragrance of violet, rose, wild berry, leather, underbrush and balsamic notes. The delicious, focused palate delivers crushed black cherry layered with notes of exotic spices, licorice, sage and black pepper, perfectly balanced by assertive tannins and vibrant energy. It already boasts gripping depth, but this has serious aging potential. *Cellar Selection* (KO)

The 2021 Tre Pile Barolo is a traditional and elegant expression of Nebbiolo, reflecting the historic Ghisolfi family estate in the renowned Bussia Soprana area. The nose is classic and perfumed, offering scents of red cherries, wild strawberries, and rose petals with subtle hints of black tea and pine needles. On the palate, it is silky and mid-bodied, balancing a refined verticality with supple, elegant tannins and a savory mineral core. The finish is clean and persistent, showing a delicate grace rather than brute power. A "feminine" and approachable style of Barolo from a balanced vintage that prizes purity and drinkability.

A tight and focused Le Vigne with strawberry, orange-peel and floral aromas and hints of hazelnuts. Not giving it all now. Full-bodied, very intense and focused. Extremely long and polished, tannic finish.

A super-complex and dark wine that’s restrained and layered. Elegant aromas of subtle black cherries, prunes, earth, minerals, peppermint and balsamic. Full-bodied and full of fruit concentration, with a lot of meat over its bones, firm velvety tannins and a long, refreshing finish that’s detailed and precise.

Just bottled, the 2024 Langhe Nebbiolo is a terrific choice for drinking now and over the next handful of years. Crushed flowers, sweet red-toned fruit, mint, cedar, pipe tobacco and crushed flowers are beautifully lifted. This mid-weight, classy Langhe Nebbiolo is all charm. (AG)