Barbaresco & Barolo

This tasting provided me with the opportunity to try many higher-end Piemonte Barbaresco and Barolo wines which I wouldn't normally be buying.

• 2008 G.D. Vajra Barolo Albe 88 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  ($40) Savory nose with some pretty floral notes but marred by some alcohol. On the palate, acid-driven with a slightly bitter note. Could use some time.

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• 2008 Ca' del Baio Barbaresco Valgrande 88 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  ($48) Full, rich nose showing some florals. On the palate, rich and ripe, slightly sweet. Could use a bit more acidity, but enjoyable at this young age.

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• 2008 Piero Busso Barbaresco Vigna Borgese 88 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  ($58) Rich, savory, and ripe aromas and flavors. Slightly sweet. Full mid-palate, soft mouthfeel but with good acidic balance.

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• 2009 Paitin di Pasquero-Elia Barbaresco Sorì Paitin 88 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  ($42) Interesting nose showing tea and honey. On the palate, quite coarse with a lot of ripping tannins but with good acidity and underlying fruit. This is hard to enjoy now, but I can see this evolving into a really nice bottle in 2 or 20 years.

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• 2008 Serafino Rivella Barbaresco Montestefano 91 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  ($63) Very rich on the nose but also exhibited a freshness about it that I really enjoyed. On the palate, very well-balanced with great fruit with good depth. Nice.

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• 2008 Cavallotto Barolo Bricco Boschis 89 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  ($70) Nose a little funky and unpleasant at first, but blew off after 10 minutes or so and was actually quite nice with some florals and savory fruit. On the palate, acid and tannin driven with the fruit in the background. I actually liked the flavor profile and general impression of the bottle, but this one will need some time to come together and show its best.

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• 2008 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Muncagota 90 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  ($58) Interesting perfumed nose with a hint of anise. Anise note also shows on the palate with some dark fruit flavors and loaded with coarse tannins. Overall, on the harsh side at the moment, but this has the stuffing to age well. If drinking this young, pair with steak.

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• 2008 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà 91 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  ($58) Perfume and anise - similar to the Muncagota. On the palate, also similar to the Muncagota, but less tannic and a bit more open and polished.

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• 2008 Schiavenza Barolo Prapò 90 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  ($60) Big perfumed nose with some heat. On the palate, big burst of fruit with good acidity to balance it out. Heat also apparent. Overall, approachable and powerful Barolo that would be great if not for the apparent alcohol.

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• 2009 Elio Grasso Barolo Ginestra Casa Maté 92 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  ($83) Nose shrouded in heavy coconut oak - not particularly enjoyable at this point. On the palate, some vanilla, heavy tannins, but powerful and elegant at the same time, with a great, long finish.

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• 2008 Bartolo Mascarello Barolo 94 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  ($120) Gorgeous nose - rich fruit and perfumed. On the palate, open and powerful but balanced and elegant at the same time. Silky mouthfeel with soft tannins. Easily the best wine of the tasting.

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• 2008 Giuseppe E Figlio Mascarello Barolo Ca d'Morissio Riserva Monprivato 90 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  ($115) Very fragrant honeysuckle and balsamico on the nose. Balsamico also carried through to the palate, with some honey. Tasty and interesting though a bit on the jammy side and could've used a touch more acidity. Very good, but paled in comparison to the similarly-priced 2008 Bartolo Mascarello Barolo that it was paired with.

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Overall, the quality of these wines was excellent - not a stinker in the bunch for my tastes. I can't say I was blown away, but there was just not enough time with any of these wines to really appreciate them. I would've liked to have had at least twice as much time with each of them in order to come up with better impressions. There were 12 wines tasted in 90 minutes which probably gave me about 5 minutes with each wine. While nice to taste so many wonderful Nebbiolo-based wines, my notes are quite limited, so keep that in mind.