March 30, 2024 - Similar to prior note after a 2 hour double decant; outstanding but still young & likely not yet at peak, drink or preferably hold
March 27, 2024 - Keith's Italian Wine Dinner (Osteria Langhe - Chicago IL): Open for 5 hours before serving with a splash decant. An odd wine to me. Absolutely well polished, this is a charming wine but not classically Barolo to me. Yes, red cherry with spice, but this seems too modern and fleshy. But very enjoyable.
March 2, 2024 - Vietti Rocche Vertical: Enjoyed over a couple of hours, this vintage had a really nice depth. The '04 age shone beautifully. There were aromas of smoked vegetables and cooked cherries. The palate was lighter and more red fruit forward compared to some of the other Rocche vintages this evening. It felt like taking a bath in pure cherries and toasted caramel. The refined, hints of smoke continued to be present throughout the evening, which I really enjoyed. And there was a nice level of acidity and a bite at the end. This had a much longer finish compared to the rest of the lineup. This was the favorite in the evening for most people. It seems perfect to open now, and I'm not sure if it will improve much in the coming years. 95-96
August 27, 2023 - Lots of truffles, earth, nicely Intregrated tannins with dark fruits moving toward dry fruits with tar, medium acidity in a full body. Probably close to peak.
October 15, 2022 - Annual Pilgrimage to Piedmont - 2022 Edition; 10/14/2022-10/16/2022 (Piedmont, Italy): From a beautiful magnum straight from the immaculate wine cellar of La Ciau del Tornavento.
Served blind and we saw a uite a bit of age here, earthy and soft feel to the point we judged it to be late 90s than a 2004. Classic in many respects, soft, cherry, herbs, earthy fella cross . Very good 93 but probably one to drink sooner than later especially in bottle.
December 4, 2021 - On the nose, I found dark red cherry and plum fruit, sweet spices, violet and dark floral aromas, menthol, and a hint of espresso. On the palate, the Rocche was richly textured but not heavy with finessed tannins largely integrated already, with very nice acidity and inner sweetness. I found dark red plum fruit, menthol, sweet spices, and floral tones.
The '04 Rocche is drinking quite well already but should age well for the medium term; based on this bottle, it strikes me as a wine that may peak in ~5-10 years. Compared to the more recent vintages of Vietti Rocche, there is a bit of extra spiciness and I found a bit less purity in the aromatics / flavor profile, but the same sweetness and finesse.
July 25, 2021 - Quite consistent with my note from September 2020. Awesome wine, love the complexity and interplay of tart fruit with tar and floral notes. I felt like this bottle was a bit more structure and tannic, but the wine was really showing well.
September 12, 2020 - Really deep and complex nose of tobacco, tar, roses, some dark cherries, and some white pepper notes. Surprisingly integrated, medium tannins, good acidity, and flavors of tart berries, tar, and dark cherries on the palate. Long finish. An outstanding Barolo, drinking perfectly right now. In fact, I think all the 2004 Nebbiolos have been drinking really well for a while, despite being young and having a long life ahead...
August 14, 2020 - SO'd for a few hrs then double decanted for 2 hrs, deep ruby with a light rim, classic Barolo nose of roses, cherries on the palate, med/firm tannins, long finish; delicious, but needs more time
August 4, 2020 - Aerated to decanter 3 hours. Good>Very good typicity just now, but the palate isn't fully in sync; tannins need lots of time. Red/dark red fruits, a broad stream of fresh acidity, and a finish that's long, just a touch earthy. 4-5 years of rest should help a bit. HOLD. highly recommended
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