9/26/2017 - Motz wrote:

Dark in color, surprisingly so for Nebbiolo. Heady bouquet of naturally ripened fruits and berries, along with orange zest, muddled flower petals, potpourri, spices, and minerals. Strikingly dense attack, in every good way, featuring superb satin texture. The middle graces every part of the palate before profound tannins clamp down at the back. The gritty finish evokes the color crimson for a long, lingering while. The highest quality Barbaresco from the vintage that I recall tasting, and, the same producer's cru bottlings excepted, better than any 2011 too.

Why did Produttori del Barbaresco declassify their cru fruit in 2012? Who knows!? Thankfully, we have the distinct pleasure of benefitting from it. Likely to last for another two decades. 94-95.

Post Script:

I know the reasons given for declassifying the crus in this vintage, and in 2010, decisions for which I am deeply grateful. And, of course, I hope that Produttori declassifies forthcoming vintages. This aside, I have a few thoughts as to these declassifications.

I have tasted several underwhelming crus in recent vintages, one or two even nondescript. The somewhat angular 2008 Muncagota and Pora bottlings, for example, leave much to be desired, whereas the same vintage Montestefano shows like a Tuscan Sangiovese-Merlot blend. In 2009, the Pora came off as fairly straightforward (simple), and the Ovello showed like high quality Barbera, or slightly wonky Barolo. It seems that a house that boasts as many crus, and sources as much fruit from them, as PdB does, and that does not hesitate to declassify, would want to avoid producing cru bottlings like these.

Also, it seems that PdB declassified in the more moderate climate vintages and bottled the crus in hotter vintages, which might be interpreted as a marketing ploy for New World consumers, as hotter vintages typically show more fruit.

Again, only speculations, and certainly not complaints, as the 2010 and 2012 vintages rank very high in quality at very affordable prices.

7/15/2020 - David J Cooper wrote:

Fairly dark red. Great nose, quite intense, salty black cherry, warm earth and baking spices. Delicious salty warm black fruit and a long very tannic finish.

Best young PdB Torre I can remember. Seemed more like a Montestefano then the basic Barbaresco.

2/13/2020 - Callum's Corkers Likes this wine:

Bought High Street retail at Majestic UK approx £40.00 in 2019

Decanted 2 hrs previous.

Wow! Probably the best Rioja I've had: light-medium body yet wonderfully complex and with impressive power, yet elegant too. Not fully mature but is drinking superbly at 10 yrs old, certainly didn't feel I'd opened it too early.

C....fading red, a tawny edge.

N.....Wow, plenty going on here: intense mocha, bitter chocolate, espresso, caramel, and oak, whiff of a dusty drought-afflicted stubble-grass field middle of summer, touch of salinity; butter, rich fruit; sweet cinnamon; 'big', busy, complex, and exciting.

T....rich fruit, butter, mocha, salt, baccy, dry leather, dusty herbals, sustained long warm and gorgeous flavours, utterly charming wine, ends almost dry. Probably will get even better in cellar, there's easy enough power and class here to build on.

VFM?.....worth every penny, even at £40 still a bargain. Will buy again.

1/18/2021 - HowardNZ Likes this wine:

A brilliant Nebbiolo - supposedly from a lesser Barbaresco vintage - nothing floral or sweet, all grounded and savoury. A bouquet of red cherries and plums, melted road tar, menthol, damp peaty soil and dried herbs. On palate, still quite coiled and tight but open enough to be enjoyed now. Ovello typicity. Earthy with underbrush, plush red cherries - some sour - and plums, soy, sottobosco and creosote. Piercing but not aggressive acidity. Structured, full and dense. The tannic grip on the quite long finish suggest this Ovello should be even better from 2024+.

4/30/2023 - Oechsle Likes this wine:

When a professional critic scores this 3 points from perfection and it falls Well short they do themselves a disservice. Makes me wonder if the Domaine poured the same wine to the critic that we the public get. Scoring this along the lines of an Ampuis or La La’s is just crazy talk. Their Wine Critic Guild ID Card should be temporarily suspended. Lol, Nose lacks perceivable fruit, dog paw, Mushroom (aka, wet cardboard), Lemon, Green peppercorns, mineral lift. On palate, tannins are still grippy and moisture wicking but, they are powdery fine and integrating. Starting to soften and loose some of its angles. Acidity better integrated then 5 years back but, still robust. Fruits beginning to peek through Black currant and morello cherry. Still dominated by gravelly terroir. Hints of smoke and cured meats. Muscular and full bodied this needs a rich fatty meal, roast leg of lamb or braised meats. Enjoyed over 2 days served with a slight chill. It’s in a good place right now to try if you have several bottles on hand otherwise give it another 2-3 years in cold storage. Purchased upon release and stored accordingly. Day 2 after vacuum cold storage acidity more pronounced and sharp with metallic taste developing. Generous amount of granular sediment… Na zdrowie

3/21/2020 - baroloboy55-2.0 Likes this wine:

Just tasted the 16 Riservas from Monsanto and Felsina -- both are excellent wines and staggeringly good values (under $25 good customer price) and bound to be great wines in 10-15 years. And the wines side by side express their terroirs and house styles perfectly -- the Monsanto, dark fruited, earthy,more brooding by impeccably balanced; the Felsina brighter, red toned, some tobacco notes, terrific bouquet.... Anyone who loves chianti should buy these both by the case and stow them in a dark cold corner of the cellar, particularly those of us who perhaps shouldn't be buying Rancia or Il Poggio given our ages-- and note the time of acquisition as a reminder of so much of what is great and humble at the same time as we pray for our friends in Italy to get back on their feet

9/15/2019 - minndavid60 Likes this wine:

Wine #1 of my birthday week of wine. Rosé just can’t get any better than this. Rich and full bodied but oh so light on its feet, and like my first tasting note from earlier this year, never cloying. The complexity is off the charts, with white peach, watermelon, gobs of mineral, fresh cut basil, thyme and a big salt water taffy finish. The ultimate balcony wine! So glad to have 4 of these left to take into 2020 and beyond. On a rosé only scale, this is 100 points. On its own, it’s a well deserved 95 points.

7/2/2020 - bboard Likes this wine:

Decanted with aerator, waited 1 hour prior to consumption, served slightly on the chilled side. Color was slightly brickish (partly due to low lighting also). More red fruit than black fruit, unmistakenly Tuscany, noticeable acidity, tannin doesn't really come through until the finish, feels like a really really good chianti classico (or a young Brunello). Body is med/med+, finishes med/med+. Slightly disappointed. Saved 1/3 bottle for Day 2, re-cork and kept in fridge.

Day 2 tastes fantastic. Pronounced black fruits and dominates over the red fruits. Great balance of power, acidity, and fruits. Med+ to full body, finishes med+ to long. Finishes with some smoke, herbs, leather, licorice.

Day 1 threw us off a bit with the color thinking this bottle aged quicker, but the fact Day 2 is much much better wine confirms that this is a young wine right now if consumed same night. Recommend long decant to really see how this wine shines.

I would move drinking windows starting 2023-2025 until some long long years ahead

5/21/2020 - chablis28 wrote:

I'm a Lopez Bosconia guy, period. Its rare I don't love a vintage and this is no exception. Bravo! The winery has an almost Champagne house NV consistency of style for it's Bosconia Reserva that is both reliable and always characterfully real. I love it and especially admire how fantastic this is hovering around a mid $30 price point year after year. One of the smartest buys around for my palate. PnP in Riedel Burg glasses and slow ox 90 minutes prior to dinner. Pretty ready to go for my palate. Color is deep ruby red. Nose shows garrigue, earth and berries. The palate delivers some; raspberry, plum and earthy minerality along with underlying underbrush. An energetic sense of balanced, layered fruit and a pleasant richness. 13.5% alc.

9/28/2018 - Bro-rolo Likes this wine:

I think the senate judicial committee would agree on this one...this wine is good...no FBI investigation necessary lolz ������

7/3/2014 - onewineheaven wrote:

Don't let my sacrifice go to waste. This is a dreadful beverage that has more in common with Coca Cola than wine. It might be tasty reduced with blackberries and served over ice cream.

2 days later no change, like Dorian Gray. Beneath the skins lurks a foul portrait of a wine.

4/29/2018 - JimTaft Likes this wine:

Scoring this wine same as Wine Enthusiast vintage chart, 93. Always one of my favorite wines but those who are not familiar with Northern Italian Nebbiolo wines should be advised that in a California sense they are never truly "ready to drink".

Always present bitter tannins and soaring acidity, not necessarily in that order, define these wines. Power is further belied by the faint, Pinot like, color.

While this bottle can probably easily age another 5 - 10 years or more without problem I'm not sure it's worth it. With above caveats it's drinking well now and I plan to sit on my 2010's Barbaresco and Barolo instead. That said, my notes on 2010 Produttori note slight brick edges and suggestion that next 5 years might be best drink window..

These wines need at least 5 years and after that are never really "ready to drink" anyway so what do we do now? Keep drinling ... keep thinking, best I can advise.

7/3/2014 - onewineheaven wrote:

Don't let my sacrifice go to waste. This is a dreadful beverage that has more in common with Coca Cola than wine. It might be tasty reduced with blackberries and served over ice cream.

2 days later no change, like Dorian Gray. Beneath the skins lurks a foul portrait of a wine.

1/26/2018 - psmith wrote:

This wine has never really done much for me, and this bottle doesn't change that. There are some pretty aromatics. They're light, but classic in profile and still young. The palate is where things get tough, literally. It has some of the worst characteristics of 2006. It's raw and abruptly shuts down the more delicate flavors. I don't see this ever balancing out, but I suppose there's not much risk in waiting.

I'll note that this is lot 9.097.

9/24/2019 - David J Cooper wrote:

Surprisingly clear, light, bright red. Incredible nose of blackberry, black currant, thyme, red cherry and dill from the American oak. As it sits in the glass there is some beautiful savoury earthiness developing. Very concentrated dry rich berry and meat flavours and a long dry incredible finish.

A brilliant young 904.

10/8/2020 - chablis28 wrote:

On David's downtown Minneapolis North Loop condo roof top for one of the last outdoor events of 2020. I still haven't gotten around to buying any of these and still don't like the gaudy packaging but the wine is as compelling as ever. Only got one glass and was bowled over by the loaf of fresh baked bread on nose. The palate is concentrated, lifted but creamy. There's a stunning array of flavors from; citrus, stone fruit and mineral to tropical, almonds and honey. Only knock, and more of personal preference, I yearn for a bit more energy. 94pts+ Thanks Candace!

8/21/2020 - David J Cooper wrote:

Too early. Medium light red. Tight nose, light tar, red flowers and cherry. Dry earthy cherry flavours and a pretty tannic finish.

5/25/2021 - Sean Tay wrote:

Yeast, lemon, grapefruit, mineral. High acidity, unfortunately it was not served cold enough and hence affecting the taste. Using the right glasses is important as well.

10/22/2021 - David J Cooper wrote:

Way too early. I am not making a note because this was way too tight.

7/19/2021 - sid_loves_wine Likes this wine:

My first from ARPEPE. Easily the best wine I've had from the Valtellina (with strong competition) and one of my top Nebbiolos overall.

Effortlessly aromatic nose with a burst of cherry- interestingly, it evokes both very bright/sour cherry as well as a hint of much richer luxardo cherry, without anything in between. Lots of floral tones, some rose petal but also violets, white flowers, and even wild herbs (mint, thyme). No typical "oak" note, although there's definitely a tiny note of fresh-cut wood, maybe cedar or even sandalwood, intriguing, but never competing with the fruit. Even more interesting is a subtle meaty tone, very much like salty charcuterie. Initially the nose felt simple and primary, but as the fruit tones relaxed in the glass, a ton of interesting nuance began to show.

Palate is a real stunner- the most understated tannin possible in young Nebbiolo (texturally felt like a slightly tannic Pinot Noir, with a gentle weight to it but never chalky or grippy.) Beautiful bright acidity that doesn't feel awkwardly tart- there's a very salty, savory meaty tone mingling with the tart fruit, while the ripeness and floral tones (all present on the palate too) coalesce to an ultra-harmonious and lingering finish.

It's harder for me to fall in love with Nebbiolo as often as PN, Syrah, many other noble grapes- often difficult to justify drinking young as they can be super-primary or even harsh, while aged examples can be out of my budget by the time they're ready. This was a real treat- very vivid, complex, and easily worth $45.

1/26/2015 - ricegpa Does not like this wine:

The wine reviewed by Mr.Parker was assigned 94 points which were appropriate for the wine he described

"amazing red wine displays notes of lead pencil shavings, acacia flowers, black raspberries, blueberries and black currants. This full-bodied, intense 2012 tastes like it should cost three to five times as much. Full-bodied, stunningly pure and textured, it should last for 4-5 years, possibly longer. "

I predict that Mr. Parker was served something else. He might have mixed up his tasting notes or he was engineering a deal with Eric Solomon.

I could not finish even half of a small glass. Acacia flowers had not touched my bottle, and the taste of dark red fruits was in the direction of rhubarb rather than raspberries, blueberries and currants..

This wine should cost a third to a fifth as much as it does. I would be generous in assigning 80 points to this juice which should have been left on the vine. He was right about one thing. This wine will likely last 4-5 years, because no one will drink it.

2/9/2023 - David J Cooper wrote:

Did a check in after reading a couple of negative notes. I decanted for 90 minutes or so. My thoughts are this is right on track. Nice more acid driven fresh fruited CC. Definitely Hold if you want something more developed, but the future is bright.

7/25/2023 - David J Cooper wrote:

Darker than the 19. Not as fragrant or floral but more serious and earthy. Black cherry, berry, forest floor and warm earth. Dry structured earth black cherry flavours and a dry textured finish. Made to age.

12/26/2023 - David J Cooper wrote:

I really enjoyed this. I tend toward the refreshing Grower Champagnes mostly but am starting to want more of this style.

Clear light yellow. Lots of green apple, lemon, with brioche and a bit of caramel. Lots of depth, lemon, mineral, green apple and spent yeast. Lovely dry finish.

11/24/2012 - theRealPepe Likes this wine:

An excellent bottle. Chateauneuf but still fresh and fruity. with a very spicy palate. I got no brett with this.

3/3/2021 - scorbett Likes this wine:

Granny smith, chalk, seashell. Some hint of herbaceousness.

In Canada at least, it's hard to find a better chablis for the price. Firm status as one of my main weekday whites.

10/24/2015 - David J Cooper wrote:

Medium dark red. Beautiful nose, smoked meat, raspberry and green herbs (thyme). Delicious earthy red fruit flavours and a nice dry slightly tannic finish.

Surprisingly balanced and showing none of the ripeness I fear from this vintage.

4/2/2021 - David J Cooper wrote:

Medium red. Lovely elegant floral notes open up to spicy cassis and cherry. Dry spicy red fruit flavours and a long dry finish.

Very nice wine. At this point there is no cedar box or earthiness just pure fresh fruit and flowers.

3/5/2020 - David J Cooper wrote:

Clear medium gold. Bright lemon, apple, and pear mixed with antique furniture and Careless cheese nose. Dry orchard fruit and lime flavours. The finish is fresh and dry.

3/8/2020 - David J Cooper wrote:

Clear very light yellow/grey. Beautiful creamy lemon and brioche nose. Dry lemon, apple and yeast flavours and a nice crisp finish.

A very nice dry Champagne that cooled the heat from a mountain of Nashville style Hot Chicken from the Downlow Chicken Shack.

Primarily 2014 fruit.

10/23/2018 - David J Cooper wrote:

Deep red. Dark fruit and antique desk drawer. Hints of pepper and earth, slightly ripe with herb and cigar box. Quite complex. Dry black cherry and old wood flavours and a dry herbal finish.

My first Cubillo after many Tondonia and I definitely love this as much.

12/31/2023 - David J Cooper wrote:

A bit on the dark side for Sangiovese. Beautiful rich nose, black cherry, plums, unsmoked cigar, dried spices, and the forest. Delicious rich earthy black fruit and nutmeg flavours and a rich dry black fruit and tobacco finish.

Lots of everything here, definitely on the rich textured side of Chianti.

12/13/2020 - David J Cooper wrote:

This is a note for 2 bottles of this bought a couple of days ago. These bottles seemed dried out and less interesting then previous bottles.

Medium red. Nice spicy red cherry and forest floor nose. Dry red cherry flavours and a very dry acid forward finish.

6/19/2020 - David J Cooper wrote:

Clear bright medium red. Medium intense but gorgeous nose of potting soil, wet forest, and fresh red berry fruit. Dry earthy but fresh berry and red cherry flavours. The finish is dry but smoothed by the tannins.

I had bought this thinking it was the 2015, I had to check the bottle because this seemed so controlled for a 15. It is textbook 2016 CCR. I had forgotten about Mazzei wines, glad I tried this. Buying more.

2/12/2021 - David J Cooper wrote:

Blind next to Fontodi CC same vintage.

Clear medium red. Forest floor, black cherry, sage and black currant. Dry earthy cherry and herb flavours and a dry tannic finish.

More interesting and a bit less solar then the Fontodi. Definitely my favourite of the 2.

7/31/2020 - David J Cooper wrote:

Medium red with slight browning. Medium intense nose, red cherry, menthol, thyme, tobacco and burnt charcoal. Really lovely balanced herbal red cherry flavours and a very nice dry balanced herbal finish.

Just so elegant and delicious. I am finding a few 2014s that seem so delicious at this time. So much more elegant then the 15 and 16s that are still shedding the baby fat.

1/17/2022 - David J Cooper wrote:

Clear light red with a bit of brown. Medium intense nose, earth, cherry, currants, nutmeg and a bit of old wood. Dry delicious earthy cherry and spice flavours. The finish was tannic but in a non aggressive sort of way.

I am very happy to drink this now. I am not sure it could get any better for my palate.

6/3/2020 - David J Cooper wrote:

More of the same, great SB from the Okanagan. Peach, cantaloupe, lemon and lime on the nose. Dry delicious stone fruit and blood orange flavours and a nice peach finish.

7/1/2021 - David J Cooper wrote:

Clear medium red. Cassis, warm earth, cherry and a hint of oak. Dry tasty cassis and red fruit and a dry tannic finish.

I bought 2 of these each with a giant Riedel Winewings glass for $41 Canadian. It was more of an experiment than anything else. We actually enjoyed the glasses and did not hate the wine.

10/21/2020 - AaronMaxwell Likes this wine:

A disappointing vintage. I’ve loved Pegau, but this falls short of its regular punch. Everything is muted.

4/16/2020 - jeffmudd Likes this wine:

I have to acknowledge my CDP Pegau bias and though yes this is not a stellar vintage, it is still a pleasure to drink.
Agree that it probably not going to improve from where it is today, no reason to think that this wine will fade away anytime soon.

10/7/2020 - David J Cooper wrote:

Dark red. Ripe and a bit roasted. Later there is some redemption, black cherry and tar but not the nose I expected. Dry earthy plum fruit and a dry tannic finish

7/1/2021 - David J Cooper wrote:

Clear medium red. Cassis, warm earth, cherry and a hint of oak. Dry tasty cassis and red fruit and a dry tannic finish.

I bought 2 of these each with a giant Riedel Winewings glass for $41 Canadian. It was more of an experiment than anything else. We actually enjoyed the glasses and did not hate the wine.

3/1/2020 - David J Cooper wrote:

This never became anything getter than a mid level Cotes du Rhone.

Avoid.

1/1/2020 - River Rat Likes this wine:

Drinking a toast to our German Shepherd who passed today. Sucky way to start the year off. Day 1 the first whiff was of tropical flowers like Plumeria along with sweet Pear but just the first whiff. After that the nose leaned green apple and brioche. Rich lemon-lime but at the same time steely minerality, intense tiny bubbles. Day 2 the nose turned to green apple juice, still lots of citrus in the mouth, creamy with a hint of chalk on the finish. Really interesting and shocking that it is 100% Pinot Noir.

5/23/2023 - David J Cooper wrote:

Nothing like the previous bottle. Dull nose, dried out flavours and acid finish. What happened?

12/19/2019 - fc1910 Likes this wine:

Three small glasses from coravin: added two more because this for me unknown wine is very delicious, very pale in colour, reminds me of a burgundy, nose of some red cassis and raspberry, the fruit fresh and savoury not as I believed before rich and juicy, italian pizza herbs, finesse all the way, for me a very positive surprise, will improve but I would not assume this is made for the long haul, pop and enjoy, great showing, ***-(****), 91(+) potential

5/23/2023 - David J Cooper wrote:

Nothing like the previous bottle. Dull nose, dried out flavours and acid finish. What happened?

7/4/2022 - David J Cooper wrote:

Clear light yellow with quite a bit of mousse. Lovely nose, bread dough, green apple, lemon zest and white flowers. Intense yeasty lemon curd and mineral flavours and a gorgeous long dry finish.

I would say this is grand cru quality for a decent price. Half the price of 07 Comtes.

5/12/2019 - WineScoundrel wrote:

Beautiful, balanced, smooth, velvety/earthy. An absolutely stellar showing. Couldn't have imagined anything better with tapas at Otoño.