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2013 Barolo tasting at 67PM
Tasted March 8, 2023 by melvinyeowq with 248 views
Introduction
Jumped at the chance to attend this once I saw the list of producers. Most of the wines were rather muted at first, despite having been open 45 minutes before according to the staff. Almost all of the wines improved markedly after an hour or so to show that 2013 is a classic, structured vintage with a long way to go. Very glad that I went long on 2013 Barolos after this tasting. Notes are in the order of the wines that were served, which was absolutely spot-on as the wines gradually became more tannic and structured.
Flight 1 - Tasting (10 notes)
White - Sparkling
N.V. Henriot Champagne Brut Souverain
88 points
Generous, toasty house-style of champagne. Green and citrus fruit that displayed greenness despite the sweet nature of the wine. Not the most finessed champagne.
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Red
2013 La Ca' Növa Barbaresco Montestefano
91 points
Extra Barbaresco that was thrown in at the last-minute for the tasting. Started off gently with layers of elegant red fruit that became darker and more structured with air. Very enjoyable in a traditional style with tar notes, much better than my experience of the 2017 of the same producer. Ranked 6/9.
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Red
2013 Giulia Negri Barolo La Tartufaia
92 points
Love this producer for being so atypically accessible for a Barolo. Floral, aromatic nose with barely perceptible and refined tannins for a Nebbiolo. Fresh raspberries that came across seamlessly on the palate. Not sure how these wines age but who cares if they are so delicious. Ranked 4/9.
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Red
2013 G.D. Vajra Barolo Ravera
89 points
Unfortunately very disappointing for a producer that I usually like. Disjointed dark fruit, the wine lacked focus and had a distracting prune note. Ranked 8/9.
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Red
2013 Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo Tre Tine
94 points
My first Rinaldi I believe and I wasn't disappointed, this was heads and shoulders above the other wines tonight. Obviously young but showed its pedigree with impeccable balance that only the best producers can achieve. Lovely restrained dark red fruit that was beautifully integrated with the other components of the wine. Not as seductive as the Bartolos that I have tried but a more imposing sort of wine with grippy yet refined tannins. Needs more time to become less primary but not a crime to drink this now. Ranked 1/9.
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Red
2013 Cavallotto Barolo Bricco Boschis
92 points
This was the wine that improved the most with air. Didn't show much on the nose and palate first but the dark red fruit became more expressive and savoury with time in the glass. Not as harsh or structured as I expected from this producer, drinking really well with air. Ranked 3/9.
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Red
2013 Elio Grasso Barolo Gavarini Chiniera
87 points
I was quite surprised when I tasted the 2016 and it had a prominent vanilla note on the nose, Antonio Galloni helpfully explained on the Vinous forum that Grasso scrapes inside of their barrels to give the impression of new oak. The oak use again dominated here, someone astutely said that this tasted more like a Rioja. Needs a lot more time to integrate as old Grassos can be wonderful, but just not in a good spot now. Ranked 9/9.
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Red
2013 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo Gramolere
93 points
This was the underdog that showed superbly today. Very pretty and elegant in the red-fruited style that was quite similar to the Giulia Negri, with a more tannic bite that I enjoyed. So generous and approachable now with a really nice balance of fruit and tannins. By the virtue of being the most expressive wine today, ranked 2/9.
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Red
2013 Cappellano Barolo Piè Rupestris Otin Fiorin (Gabutti)
91 points
Unlike the Rinaldi this didn't assert itself at all at the beginning, as it didn't stand out from the other wines despite its pedigree. Eventually it did come around and had a lovely, lifted nose with a hint of nail varnish. Alcohol is noticeable but integrated, but the fruit wasn't fully expressive and the wine felt like it was still in third gear. Needs more time, the 2011 I had last year is a better candidate for drinking today. Ranked 5/9.
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Red
2013 Vietti Barolo Lazzarito
90 points
Built like a Bordeaux with the French oak being perceptible. Plenty of dark spices, black fruit, mocha notes, by far the most tannic of the wines today. Really didn't like this at the start but it did improve with air as the quality of the fruit shone through. Not my idea of Barolo but will appeal to fans of the style. Ranked 7/9.
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Flight 2 - Wines at dinner (2 notes)
Red
1998 Cerbaiona (Molinari) Brunello di Montalcino
I guess old Italians are always a crapshoot but my second bad experience with one at 67PM after the 2001 Giacosa last year which bore some similarities to this. Was hesitant to order this and unfortunately my suspicion was proven right. Had a distinct prune note on the nose that dissipated slightly with air as the classic Cerbaiona VA emerged, but the palate was devoid of structure and was dominated by plummy flavours and resolved tannins. Not sure where 67PM in Singapore source their old Italians from but would suggest to avoid.
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Red
2019 Comando G Bréna
88 points
BTG. Sweet, jammy raspberry and redcurrant fruit, these wines consistently remind me of kirsch and I really don't get them unfortunately.
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