Piemonte @ Vinitaly

First trip to the overwhelming world of Vinitaly. Have to say that in most places I've lived in this amount of free wine would cause myriad of "casualties" whereas i only saw a few people laying on the ground on the day. It was clear to me on sizing the place on arrival that spitting was going to be a must. I really wanted to try new regions but spent way too much time in the piemonte hall. Apologies for brief notes.

• 2006 Elio Altare Barolo Vigna Bricco Cerretta 93 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  When does an altare wine not taste like an altare wine? When it's a cerretta. Rather different than the open, fruity la morra wines this is more power packed, tightly wound with menthol, licorice and minerality. Needs a few years but is a beauty and this expansion by Elio is a success for us fans.

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• 2007 Pecchenino Barolo San Giuseppe 91 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  A softer more delicate wine than the le coste but beautiful in its aromatics. Textbook barolo in many ways. Recommended

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• 2007 Pecchenino Barolo Le Coste 92 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Really enjoyed the chance to taste this alongside the san giuseppe. This one has a darker side with more punch and minerals/earth. Not a typical 2007 in my book. Really good.

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• 2010 Pecchenino Dogliani San Luigi 90 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Dogliani

  Trademark violet i get in dolcetto but with greater complexity and power than your mother's dolcetto. Very good.

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• 2008 Pecchenino Dogliani Sirì d'Jermu 91 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Dogliani

  If tasted blind i dont think this could be placed as a dolcetto. The complexity and power coupled with minerality was superb. A revelation.

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• 2008 Pecchenino Dogliani Superiore Bricco Botti 92 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Dogliani Superiore

  This concluded the triumvirate of great dolcettos with a bang. Smoke and leather in a way that seems unreal for dolcetto - way better than the langhe nebbiolo of the same year. Pecchenino told me that their dolcetto vineyards have southern exposure which is fairly rare in the region.

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• 2003 Giuseppe E Figlio Mascarello Barolo Ca d'Morissio Riserva Monprivato 92 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Colour showing some age. Tannins are fine and not intrusive. Smoke, earthiness and a long finish. Nice but i look at the price and i think ca di morissio translates as "you're kidding yeah?". A friend actually thought it translated to "I like to think i'm monfortino but i aint". Either translation works i think.

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• 2008 Gianfranco Alessandria Barolo San Giovanni 91 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Elegantly styled barolo but nice notes of menthol and tar to round it off with a longish finish. No data on winemaking but my sense is that this producer has really dialled down the oak of late, which is no bad thing.

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• 2008 Giovanni Corino Barolo 88 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Nice easy drinking barolo, a little simple but nice fruit at the core. Definitely one for the near term.

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• 2008 Giovanni Corino Barolo Vigna Giachini 91 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  I usually find this to be my favourite corino offering but this year was beaten by arborina. It was still its usual elegant expression of nebbiolo just for me lacking a little bit of oomph from the best years.

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• 2008 Giovanni Corino Barolo Vigneto Arborina 92 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  This just shaded the rest of corino 2008 baroli. Great intensity, spices and the usual pretty arborina fruit. Definitely a success in the vintage.

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• 2008 Paolo Scavino Barolo 89 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

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• 2008 Paolo Scavino Barolo Bric dël Fiasc 91 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

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• 2008 Paolo Scavino Barolo Bricco Ambrogio 89 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

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• 2008 Paolo Scavino Barolo Monvigliero 91 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

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• 2008 Paolo Scavino Barolo Carobric 90 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

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• 2008 Paolo Scavino Barolo Cannubi 90 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

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2008 was generally a surprise on the upside, quite elegant - still think it will be a tough sell in the market at the now higher barolo prices (yes bordeaux is not the only wine getting marked up), but its a very good vintage and better than 2007 for me. Pecchenino is a producer that has hit my radar screen, while Corino keeps delivering if you are OK with the modern side. The San Giovanni was good while Scavino just seems to be making too many wines that are just OK (though i was running on empty by then)