Annual Pilgrimage to Piedmont - 2015 Edition

Back for the 8th year, what begun as a trip to Alba has now become an annual event of great food, great wine and great friends. And the weather played ball too!

An ok casual lunch and dinner location. Best is that you get access to the main restaurant's ( 1* Michelin Le Rey) wine list. Not a destination but if you happen o stay there its an ok place.

• 2013 Rivetto Langhe Nascetta Borea 86 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

  (10/9/2015)

  Quite aromatic, fresh, floral , and playful . On the plate it's a bit bitter, and in a way simple. And enjoyable afternoon wine but that all. 86

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• 1996 Cantina Terlan Chardonnay Rarity 93 Points

  Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Alto Adige, Terlano

  (10/9/2015)

  Quite a bit of colour here. Ripe Apple notes on the nose, light oxidative touch, ripe citrus. On the palate it is so much alive and vibrant. Has a ripe fruit feel and is quite evolved ( still fresh though) which is a touch too much vs other vintages we have tried. Still a full on proper wine and such classy elegant result. These wines are just so special. 93 and definitely a better bottle than last time

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• 1996 Tenute Cisa Asinari dei Marchesi di Grésy Barbaresco Martinenga Camp Gros 91 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  (10/9/2015)

  Decanted for 30 mins. Dark cherry nose, light "struck match ". A good evolved barbareco but to be honest not really together and just felt a bit dry and a touch unbalanced. Or maybe we were a bit disappointed? 91

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• 2004 Domenico Clerico Barolo Percristina

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  (10/9/2015)

  Decanted and served . Ideally needs an hour of decanting.
  Just about entering its drinking window but still a beautiful wine. Dark cherry, light tar, light liquorice notes. Quite firm on the palate, grippy tannin, lovely balance, modern but devout of modernist crap. Proper Barolo and with some patience this would be a high 90s wine. 93 for now but full of promise.

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Alba's 3 Michelin Star restaurant is one to be tried. A great place with great service. Does not shine as much during truffle season as it would during the main season we guess. Great sommelier, great wine list and with fantastic access to old Ceretto wines as it is owned by the family. Must be visited at least once we believe.

• 2007 Cantina Terlan Terlano Nova Domus Riserva 92 Points

  Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Alto Adige, Terlano

  (10/9/2015)

  From a beautiful magnum.
  Quite a bit of colour and indeed evolution on the nose. The freshness of youth is gone but the complexity of age is here, well secondary, nice ripe earthy notes. Well round on the palate , nice balanced richness and very good length. A beautiful wine from a great producer. 92-3

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• 2011 Vigneti Massa Derthona Sterpi 92 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Colli Tortonesi

  (10/9/2015)

  Young and fresh, this understated great grape from Piemonte from its master.
  Bright glossy in color. On the nose it has a petrolly feel, like Riesling in a way, with a good ripe citrus undertone. On the palate it is young and this grape has great ageing capacity. Full of charm, lovely structure. Age will make it a mid 90s wine . It a bit short on the finish at this stage. 92 for now.

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• 1990 Paolo Scavino Barolo Bric dël Fiasc Flawed

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  (10/9/2015)

  Badly maderised. One of 2 bottles opened and returned. Shame.

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• 1990 Paolo Scavino Barolo Bric dël Fiasc Flawed

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  (10/9/2015)

  Second bottle. Again maderised albeit not as bad as the first bottle. What a shame.. Returned.

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• 2010 Clos Rougeard (Foucault) Saumur-Champigny Le Bourg 95 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur-Champigny

  (10/9/2015)

  Side by side with its 2008 sibling (Papies 94) and our first experience with this wine.
  Bright red , glossy. The nose on this wine is majestic. Pure, elegant red fruit, fresh vibrant nose so complex. A mesmerising nose . On the palate it continues very well, pure, good fruit core, bright fresh red fruits, very elegant and with good depth. We would love to come across this in the future . A must buy wine. 95 easy a don will improve.

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• 2008 Clos Rougeard (Foucault) Saumur-Champigny Le Bourg 94 Points

  France, Loire Valley, Anjou-Saumur, Saumur-Champigny

  (10/9/2015)

  Side by side with its 2010 sibling ( Papies 95) and what a joy to try these wines.
  Much like the 2010 this had an excellent, majestic nose. Pure red fruits, open and rushes out of the glass. Elegant and pure one of the best aromatic nose we have come across. On the palate the 2008 is one shade lease to the 2010 and felt a touch thinner ( 2008 being a wet vintage in Loire we believe) but still an excellent wine. Not sure if this has the ageing capacity of the 2010 but a very good 93-94

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• 1980 Azienda Bricco Rocche (Ceretto) Barolo Brunate 94 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  (10/9/2015)

  From a beautiful magnum, recorked in 2013. The Piazza Duomo in Alba is owned by the Ceretto family thus a direct access to these wines.
  
  Of course the colour is brick red, brownish in a way but clear ( required careful decanting though muslin cloth) and bright. The nose is well secondary and earthy but with good fruit notes, light truffle at times. Similarly on the palate this was well matured and evolved but still very much a beautiful wine albeit have its best was a few summers ago. A beautiful experience , very complex and elegant. Andreas 93 Nicol 95 > 94.

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• 1995 Giuseppe Quintarelli Recioto della Valpolicella Classico 92 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Recioto della Valpolicella Classico

  (10/9/2015)

  From half bottle to finish a beautiful dinner at Piazza Duomo, in Alba. Paired with local style chocolate gateaux.
  
  Rich yet balanced, nice depth of flavour, elegant as expected and full of character always a joy to cross paths with this wine. 92

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• NV Arianna Occhipinti Grappa di Frappato

  Italy, Sicily, Sicilia

  (10/9/2015)

  Clear, pure, aromatic and well made grappa. Sharp and focused and although not big grappa fans this was really special in its focus. Devout of barrel this was a pure expression of the distillate and just excellent. Pretty nice way to end a long dinner.

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• 1997 Gino Barile

  Italy, Piedmont, Piemonte DOC

  (10/9/2015)

  Well round and nicely aged grappa, barrel notes, firm, well made and with a nice balanced richness. Very good.

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The focal point of our trip and the reservation around where all is built. By far the best the area has to offer during truffle season and consistently delivers. Easily the best lunch of the year every year. Great people too and beautiful location. Just excellent and a MUST place.

• 2005 Ca' del Bosco Franciacorta Cuvée Annamaria Clementi 93 Points

  Italy, Lombardia, Franciacorta DOCG

  (10/10/2015)

  From a beautiful magnum and served in the Ca del'Bosco big wine glasses . No flutes allowed here.
  A beautiful wine as always, this the best "champagne" outside of champagne is a clear favourite for us. Nice rich, yeasty profile, depth, complexity, of course elegance and just a great way to start any celebration. Only worry here is that it felt a bit too evolved which worries us as to its longevity. 93 and beautiful now.

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• 2006 Vigneti Massa Derthona Sterpi 91 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Colli Tortonesi

  (10/10/2015)

  Having tried the 2011 the night before (Papies 92) we couldn't resist this magnum of the 2006.
  Has quite a bit of colour, shows its age. On the nose it has that light petrolly feel, but had also secondary notes, evolved fruit and some earthy notes. The freshness of youth is not there but it has evolved nicely into a different proposition. Very good 91-92 and drink now. We believe this is a wine better had younger.

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• 2000 Paolo Scavino Barolo Riserva Rocche dell'Annunziata 90 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  (10/10/2015)

  Two very consistent bottles here from the beautiful cellar of Ciau deal Tornavento.
  Shows quite a bit of evolution on the colour. Cherries on the nose, light tar feel and generally a well evolved and well aged Barolo form top pedigree. Unfortunately (much like the. 2004 we had later that day - Papies 90) it had a dry feel as if the fruit has given way . A nice Barolo but not a great one and we wonder if it's a Scavino issue here. 90

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• 2001 Roberto Voerzio Barolo Riserva Vecchie Viti dei Capalot e delle Brunate Flawed

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  (10/10/2015)

  Oxidised and returned.

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• 2001 Roberto Voerzio Barolo Riserva Vecchie Viti dei Capalot e delle Brunate 95 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  (10/10/2015)

  After one bad bottle the second magnum was just a song!
  The definition of a beautiful Barolo which is now in a great place. Sourced from the cellar of Ciau deal Tornavento this was just singing from the moment the cork was popped.
  The fruit is still very much in the forefront, nice secondary notes too though, light cherry , a touch of tar. The tannin is firm but silky and was was a magnificent bottle. 95 easy.

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• 2004 Roberto Voerzio Barolo Rocche dell'Annunziata Torriglione 95 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  (10/10/2015)

  This followed in the wake of a beautiful magnum of 2001 Riserva Vecchie Viti dei Capalot e delle Brunate. And it carried the Voerzio flag even higher.
  Richer, fresher , darker wine. Still very elegant, complex, typical Barolo and very nice to see it at this stage with good weight on the palate and before the secondary side come forward. Different to the 2001 in weight of fruit and still an excellent 95 for us.

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• 2006 Miani Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso Calvari 93 Points

  Italy, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Venezia Giulia IGT

  (10/10/2015)

  The last bottle of any vintage in the Ciau del Tornavento's cellar. A wine surrounded by a lot of hype so it was nice to come across it. Our first ever experience with it and expected a heavy, dense wine. On the contrary this is a bright, leg ant and balanced wine, special in its own way full of charm and character. Lots of fresh red fruit, well round yet firm tannin and was just singing. Not sure how this evolves from now on to be honest and we could see how some might like it and some might not. It split us on the verdict . 92-94

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• 2003 Giuseppe Quintarelli Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 93 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

  (10/10/2015)

  Came at the end of a legendary lunch at the beautiful Ciau Del Tornavento. Unfortunately by then palate fatigue means not a full tasting note here .
  still a great wine, good rich core of fruit and very nice length. None of 2003 burnt shenanigans. Felt like a 93

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• 1997 Ferrari Giulio Ferrari Riserva del Fondatore 88 Points

  Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Trentino, Trento

  (10/10/2015)

  Was highly praised by the sommelier of the Ciau Del Tornavento so we gave it a go. Unfortunately it was not as impressive as promised, a good wine still but not impressive. Well round , well evolved and definitely a few summers since it peaked. 88

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• NV Alvear Pedro Ximénez Montilla-Moriles Solera 1927 91 Points

  Spain, Andalucía, Montilla-Moriles

  (10/10/2015)

  Two beautiful 50cl bottles were chosen to accompany Chef Maurilio's Nutella ravioli .
  Nutty, cocoa, dark fruited, light oxidative. Needs its time to develop but post that was just a very good. Rich yet balanced, nice depth and length. Great value for money too. 91-92

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• 2004 Paolo Scavino Barolo Riserva Rocche dell'Annunziata 90 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  (10/10/2015)

  From magnum.
  To be honest ( much like the 2000 we tried earlier on the day - Papies 90) a little bit disappointed by it and given vintage and pedigree we expected a lot more. The nose was nice, with nice cherry notes, still very much on e fruit. But the on palate like the 2000 the fruit was dry with little presence and just made it feel ordinary. We wonder if it's an issue with the winemaking here or just our luck. 90

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• 2004 Domenico Clerico Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra 92 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  (10/10/2015)

  Quite dark in colour, youthful. On the nose it has a nice rich dark fruit feel, cherries, light tar, light oak at times albeit complements the wine.
  On the palate it has decent weight of fruit, nice rich core but also had a few dry notes, like sharp edges and we expected an overall more rounder feel from this wine. A year ago when we had this we rated it 93 and definitely that was a better experience . A good 91-92 this time.

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• 2001 Podere Rocche dei Manzoni Barolo Riserva Vigna Cappella di Santo Stefano 92 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  (10/10/2015)

  3 years since the last time we tried this wine ( Papies 93 then and predicted it then to be a 95 by now... ) this wine remains a good and balanced expression of modern Barolo.
  Quite a bit of weight on the palate , nice dark fruits from nose to palate, light oak to complement, well round and silky. Could have use a bit more vibrancy but a very good 92 from us.

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The best way to finish the trip and this beautiful gem of a trattoria in the middle of Barbaresco (opposite the Cantina dei Produtori) always delivers and along with Ciau is a must be visited place, year in, year out.

• 2004 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Ovello 89 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  (10/11/2015)

  From Magnum. No Decanting.
  To be honest for a 2004 we expected a bit more fruit weight and depth by now. This was a bit linear and restrained, nice nose but on the palate it was not very giving and sort of felt closed. Not a bad wine but wanted/expected more. A good 89

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• 2004 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano 90 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  (10/11/2015)

  Two very consistent bottles here. No Decanting.
  Had a bit of struck match on the nose to start but then developed away from it showing pretty decent fruit. On the palate it had a good amount of fruit and albeit not the most complex and for a 2004 it could have had a bit more weight still this was a pretty good offering. a good 90.

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• NV Produttori del Barbaresco Grappa di Barbaresco

  Italy, Piedmont, Piemonte DOC

  (10/11/2015)

  A beautiful and well round grappa full of charm. We went for a glass and we finished the bottle, or should we say polished it.
  Nice aromatics, well balanced and a very nice mouthfeel. Devout of overdone tricks and barrel abuse this barrel aged grappa was a perfect end to a beautiful 2015 Alba trip. We dnt rate spirits but if we did this would have been a 93

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• 2007 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Ovello 91 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  (10/11/2015)

  From magnum with no decanting.
  This felt to be in the right place, open and developed, with a nice core of fruit. Not rich per se but with good palate presence and nice ripe fruit. Tannin is starting to silken but its still firm. Good length too. A pretty wine. 91

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Alla Prossima!