Barbaresco and Barolo

Here’s our selection of Nebbiolo from the top two DOCGs in Piedmont.  Some of these wines we have a good supply of, some only a bottle or two.  These wines really develop with age, so it is worth a look at the older vintages.

2017 Villa Rosa, Barbaresco   $20
This young Barbaresco has more secondary notes than a Langhe Nebbiolo, but you have to wait on the fruit to come out.

2014 Covalli, Barolo  $23
Covalli is the second label of Sordo, and most of the juice here is declassified “Cru” fruit. Raised in neutral/very old Slavonian casks, this beauty shows layer after layer of traditional Nebbiolo character.  “Dried strawberries, candied orange peel, cedar and sandalwood. Medium to full body, medium-chewy tannins and an acidity-cut finish. Drink now. 91 points.” -James Suckling

2014 Pasquale Pelissero, Bricco San Giuliano Barbaresco  $27
A family estate, single-vineyard Barbaresco that comes from an 8-hectare parcel at about 400 meters above sea level and is aged mostly in large botte.  Plum, cherry, licorice and leather notes on a broad frame. Tight and dense, with a lingering, fresh finish.  Was $40 now $27

2015 Casetta, Barbaresco  $32
Since 1725, the Casetta family have been making Barbaresco wine from Nebbiolo grapes grown in the winery’s estate vineyards.   Notes of tanned leather and dried herbs. Full-bodied cherry fruit with a firm grip on the palate from the tannins.

2013 Terre di Bo, Barolo  $35
Extremely full and dry. Notes of red berries, strawberry, cherries, rose, vanilla, tobacco and cinnamon.

2010 Fontafredda, Barolo  $37  500ml
A great deal on an aged Barolo.  Not too heavy, but loaded with black fruit flavor and some tarry notes. Supple and full-bodied with dried herbs.

2015 Fratelli Revello, Barolo  $38
The dark-berry, strawberry and charcoal aromas are impressive. Full bodied and totally integrated with wonderful presence and composure of fruit and tannin balance. Lovely finish. Lingers. — 95pts James Suckling

2011 Bergadano, Barolo Sarmassa  $40
Founded by Enrico Bergadano in 1974, this estate is now managed by son Piercarlo who farms two hectares of vines in Barolo, Monforte and Novello. This is the family’s top wine, with fruit harvested from the celebrated Sarmassa cru. It shows incredible density and elegance with bright aromas of wild berries, white truffle and licorice. The drying tannins are tight and firm.  Was $50 now $40

2014 Bricco Giubellini, Barolo  $42
Bricco Giubellini is the highest vineyard (530 m.) in Monforte d’Alba, renowned village of the Barolo area. And it is also the smallest, with not even one hectare of vines which are organically farmed.  The 2014 is fresh, vibrant and beautifully delineated. Bright raspberry, lavender and violet notes unfold effortlessly in a translucent, nuanced, Barolo loaded with personality.

2014 Luigi Pira, Serralunga Barolo  $42
A firm and juicy 2014 with leather, light tar and dark-berry aromas and flavors. Medium body. Fresh finish.  The flavor is persistent and supple with a good balance between tannins and acidity.

2009 Franco Morlino, Barolo Riserva Rocche dell’Annunziata,  $43
In the glass the Barolo Rocche has a clear bright garnet red color with orange reflections. Intense fruity and wooden bouquet. It has a wide, persistent mellow taste, well-structured, pleasantly sweet, with a balanced tannin aftertaste.  Was $55 now $43

2010 Vinchio-Vaglio Serra, Barolo  $43
A solid Barolo with a bit of age with an intense, extraordinary complex bouquet, with clear notes of violet, goudron and vanilla and a garnet red color with orangish reflections; its taste ample, warm and caressing.

2010 Malvira, Roero Trinita  $45
Not Barolo but seriously delicious.  From 25-35 year old vines in the Trinita and Renesio vineyards planted at 300 meters above sea level.  Aged for 20 months in 450 liter casks. Wine rests in bottle for an additional 12 months prior to release.

2014 Renato Ratti, Barolo Marcenasco  $45
The 2014 Barolo Marcenasco offers dark and rich aromas of pressed rose with dark fruit, smoke and tar. The fruit almost appears to be on the ripe side, yet the wine also reveals the depth and the sophistication of aged Nebbiolo. In the mouth, Marcenasco is a bit thinner than your average vintage, and it has touches of sour cherry fruit on the close.  91pts Parker.

2008 Sorelle de Niccola, Barolo Reserva Vigna della Serra  $46
2008 is a prime example of traditionally styled Barolo, still brimming with life and loaded with all the earthy goodness that makes Barolo so special. An assortment of age-related “secondary” aromas of leather, sandalwood, and tobacco are starting to creep in and flank the fruit notes of dried black cherry, tiny wild strawberries, red currant, and orange peel. The medium-plus-bodied palate is firm and fine, with mouthwatering “cut” and tremendous aromatic persistence on the finish.

2014 Giovanni Rosso, Serralunga d’Alba Barolo  $48
Deceptively medium in body, the 2014 packs quite a bit of punch, with plenty of Serralunga tannin enshrouding the fruit. Smoke, scorched earth, and licorice add to the wines virile expression of Nebbiolo. There is quite a bit to admire in this overachieving, village-level Barolo.

2015 Massolino, Barolo  $54
Very fresh and attractive Barolo with abundant red cherries and a wealth of sweet, rose-petal aromas, too. The palate has a very plush, fleshy and juicy core of fruit in the red-cherry zone. The tannins are velvety and long. One of the more approachable 2015s.

2010 Cantina del Pino, Barbaresco Albesani  $110  1.5 liters
This single vineyard Barolo from a great vintage is a very different wine with a softer, broader approach in the mouth layered by more spice and dark fruit. The wine’s structure is defined, firm and enduring. The fruit is immediate and inviting.  Drink 2016 to 2028 — 93pts Wine Advocate

2010 Livia Fontana, Barolo Busia Reserva  $70
This Barolo Bussia Riserva has great harmony, strength and full flavor as well as an earthy, mineral-rich character.  The aroma is very intensive with berry notes, and the color is garnet red.  The wine is drinkable immediately, but has fantastic aging potential and will develop well over many years.

2008 Borgogno, Barolo Le Teorie  $80
A special bottling of the 2008 Barolo The le Teorie is from Cannubi, Liste, Fossati and San Pietro delle Viole. After at least four years aging, it is bottled and labelled and is ready to stimulate intellectual reflection. A wine which at table can stimulate discussion of the most refined topics.  6 different labels take your pick or get the set.  The regular bottling of 2008 got 92pts Vinous

And here is one we left off the everyday list on Thursday.

2018 Orsolani, Achini Sparsi  $16
85% Barbara and Nebbiolo, 15% Native Grapes
An easy going wine that is respectful to the local traditions.  good ripeness of the fruit, elegant aromas of black cherry, small red fruits such as currant, floral notes and a light memory of plum jam, austere balsamic notes but integrated in a balanced way with a noble and immediate tannin, pleasantly confused with a final sensation of sweetness.  Organic

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