Michele Chiarlo Azienda Vitivinicola

Presentation by Michele Chiarlo, who founded this winery in 1956.

Tasting featured 8 vintages of the single vineyard Barolo from 1996, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, together with "Riserva" Barolo from 1985.

The Cerequio Vineyard is 16 hectares - 40 year old vines. The wine is aged in 5000 liter barrels ( formerly Slavonian but now French ) - 50 % new.

• 2007 Michele Chiarlo Barolo Cerequio

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Medium dark ruby; smoky, roasted nuts - a bit of licorice in the aromas; smooth entry; tannins frame the rich berry fruit flavours; lasting finish - quite pleasing.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2006 Michele Chiarlo Barolo Cerequio

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  A bit lighter in color - medium ruby; cleaner, more defined aromas - floral - baked peaches - some spiciness; smooth on entry; quite flavorful - red and black berries; nice level of acidity; spicy fruit on the finish - attractive.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2005 Michele Chiarlo Barolo Cerequio

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Darker ruby - broader rim; aromas are subdued - coaxed up some smirky oak and grilled meat; finely balanced with attractive fruit driven flavors - black berries; good length on the finish.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2004 Michele Chiarlo Barolo Cerequio

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Noticed more garnet hues in the color; quite full on swirling; broader based aromas - smoke, vanilla, some licorice and dark berry fruit; not as attractive as the 2005 on the palate - quite stingy on the fruit- acids form a good frame; just a moderate finish, but nothing notable.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2003 Michele Chiarlo Barolo Cerequio

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Fuzzy garnet - amber rim; fully aromatic - roasted nuts, smoke and some baked berry fruit; more tannic on the palate; nice ripe red and black berry fruit; noticeable acidity; finishes somewhat dry - not as easy as the 2004, which was a bit short itself, although the fruit did persist through.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 2000 Michele Chiarlo Barolo Cerequio

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Lighter ruby/ garnet; obviously a lighter wine evidenced from swirling; anise and smoked beef aromas - more delineated than the previous wine; smooth entry - flavors of roasted meats framed by the tannins; finishes less easy than the 2003 - some fruit coming through.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 1999 Michele Chiarlo Barolo Cerequio

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Brown/garnet in color; penetrating aromas - mellow and attractive spice, nutty; full bodied; ripe fruit notes - baked rather than fresh; nice texture on the palate; longest finish of these wines so far; fruit carries through the finish. Quite an attractive wine.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 1996 Michele Chiarlo Barolo Cerequio

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Garnet color - very wide amber rim; tar aromas, but a slight sour note at the end; more focused to the mid palate; acids and tannins in evidence; flavors are more baked fruit and some licorice; strong finish but there remains a bitter edge throughout. Preferred the '99.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No

• 1985 Michele Chiarlo Barolo Riserva

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Medium brown/garnet color; full, penetrating aromas with spices and a sweet note; some complexity; round and full on the palate- expansive; ripe baked fruit flavors coupled with roasted meat - really quite delicious; very fine balance; attractive warm and long finish where the flavors linger.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No