Important Update From the Founder
Read message >
Michele Chiarlo Azienda Vitivinicola
The Wine Summit at the Post Hotel in Lake Louise
Tasted May 25, 2012 by Hank Gillespie with 453 views
Introduction
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.
Flight 1 (9 notes)
Red
2007 Michele Chiarlo Barolo Cerequio
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.
Red
2006 Michele Chiarlo Barolo Cerequio
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.
Red
2005 Michele Chiarlo Barolo Cerequio
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.
Red
2004 Michele Chiarlo Barolo Cerequio
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.
Red
2003 Michele Chiarlo Barolo Cerequio
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.
Red
2000 Michele Chiarlo Barolo Cerequio
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.
Red
1999 Michele Chiarlo Barolo Cerequio
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.
Red
1996 Michele Chiarlo Barolo Cerequio
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.
Red
1985 Michele Chiarlo Barolo Riserva
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.