11/15/2020 - Rolle27 wrote:

This is one of my QPR faves among the +80 Barolo 2016’s I’ve tasted so far.
The energy and young charm is seductive. Lots of mid serralunga (parafada, gabutti, marenca, lazzarito, margheria) purple floral notes, purple fruit, dark berries, great balance. Intens, but still with an elegance. Love it.

7/29/2020 - Rolle27 Likes this wine:

Great buy. Appealing nose - Mediterranean herbs. Lots of in your face ripe dark fruit (cherries), but a great freshness and vibrance makes it well-balanced and instantly charming. Cedar and chocolate kicks in right away. Tannins are almost creamy and chewy.
It is definitely leaning towards a modern and full bodied style of brunello - is it too much? Not really - The very vivid contour and a significant minerality, makes it very triumphant in my book.
34 Euros is a steal.

11/13/2019 - Rolle27 Likes this wine:

Pretty straight forward. Full bodied, but not overdone. Ripe berries, especially blueberries, a hint of earl grey, you feel the alcohol, but it is not too much. It stays on your palate for a long time but it doesn´t really evolve. Not my fav cab from Napa, I miss some depth, nuances and a broader range, but absolutely a pleasure to drink. Nose is a bit the same, you get ripe fruit, roses and a little punch from the alcohol.
Don´t really understand the high price, but I guess that can be said for a lot of napa cabs. Will I buy it? No. Will I drink it if served? Yes, with great pleasure.

10/26/2019 - Rolle27 Likes this wine:

Decanted for 4 hours. Great juice and a very promising vintage. The future looks bright. Probably 95 in 3-4 yrs. Still young and vibrant. The acidity was there in great balance with the fruit. The primary red berries are in transformation - the black berries and the dark chocolate are lurking behind the bush. Earth, blood and a hint of mushroom. Nose was a bit closed due to the wine is still waking up. Next bottle in 2-3 yrs and the the rest over 10 yrs. Was a bit unsure if brunello 2010 in generel would end up a bit too ripe in the expression. Have been drinking 4 different 2010´s in the past month. No worries - no sign of nothing but balanced fruit with a long life ahead of it.

7/18/2019 - Rolle27 Likes this wine:

40 USD in the US and 25 EUR in Europe. That - ladies and gents - is a steal!
Just as good as the Montestefano. Full throttle barbaresco - but still in balance with the finesse and acidity intact. A bit more aromatic and "mineralish" than the Montestefano - but what a pair of wines they are. Sublime value for money. Needs a few more yrs to unfold completely - but it ain't going to be easy to wait for it. I can’t think of any other barbaresco below 80 USD that matches the La Ca Nova pair.

7/17/2019 - Rolle27 Likes this wine:

95+.
Can´t imagine that anyone can find a better Barbaresco qpr out there.
It is a wonderful wine that has it all. Still very young, but tannins are soft and there is a lot in the nose and on the palate for short term pleasure as well. Dark berries, flower syrup, lavender, liquorice, star anise etc. It is full bodied, but still energetic and balanced. Top class.
If this is what we can expect from Piemonte in 2016 - I need a bigger cellar.

6/28/2019 - Rolle27 Likes this wine:

Brilliant nebbiolo from a magical winemaker. This is what good and mature Barolo is all about. Ready to enjoy and will probably stay strong for another 4-5 yrs. Everybody deserves to taste a wine like this to get a solid referencepoint for when a wine is at its peak. The nose was full of roses and little lovely mint flirt. The palate had it all - dark sweet berries, earthy, truffled aromas ..... when nebbiolo goes into its secondary (mature) stage the flavours just go on forever. I really loved this wine. Just came home ten days ago from a 4 days trip to barolo - with a lot of 2015 tasting in the belt. Nothing came close to this one. I do like young barolo, but everytime I find a wine in its prime, it lifts the experience to a completely different level. I feel extremely lucky, that I have a solid portfolio of Cappellano from 2010 and 2013 in the cellar. Feels like heaven is waiting for me. Btw - 2014 is actually not my fav barolo year, but even in this vintage Cappellano made fantastic barolos. It is like years doesn´t matter to Augusto, he is a true magician.

3/10/2019 - Rolle27 wrote:

A lot of Brett at the first sip - so I parked it for an hour, and it was almost gone. But, but, but ... I wouldn´t touch this for a long time (+4 years). It is not ready, not even with food. If you need to open a bottle in the near future, I´d recommend decanting it for a long time.
I have had the opportunity to taste 6 Baroli from 2010 within the last 3 weeks, all with the same headline - Let them sleep in the cellar. This comes from a huge fan of young nebbiolo, but it seems like the 2010´s does not provide neither primary nor secondary fruit at the moment. I store my wines at 12 C, hence they might be in a different stage if you store them in a warmer place. It would be a waste of time to add further details about the nose and the palate - cause the overall impression was clear. Absolutely not ready.

2/20/2019 - Rolle27 Likes this wine:

Blind tasted. Had a wine menu going on when the sommelier suddenly served an extra glass with a smile and no further comments. Nebbiolo, no doubt - tannins were so welcoming that I initially wavered between barbaresco and barolo. So elegant, mineral and erect. I ended up concluding (with my eyes closed) that it was a sexy Barolo from either barolo or castiglione falletto. Castiglione was confirmed. I had a Brovia Rocche 2013 recently - with a lot of similarities, but it was a bit more robust. So, Vietti Rocche was my guess. Wrong :-) It was Roagna Pira. Well, next door, so relatively ok, but the vintage? I was really on thin ice - it was absolutely not older than 2010, but no way it could be 2010. Same for 2011 and 2012. Had both Roagna Piras recently, 11 I didn´t really like and 12 was far from being ready. I gave up, it was beyond my imagination, that it could be 2013. Wrong again, It was 2013! Still can´t fathom how it can be this young and yet so irresistible. I could drink it day in and day out. If you like the elegant Baroli and Roagnas seducing winemaking - don´t hesitate. Buy, buy, buy. Wauw. Cranberries and cedar. Licorice. Multilayered. But first of all, charming and full of pride like a solitary dancer in the spotlight. Delicate and silky fruit. Will probably gain weight the coming years. It is going to be in my dreams for a long time.

2/7/2019 - Rolle27 Likes this wine:

Hhmm ... ? Not sure if I find it anyway near worth the price in a barolo landscape with so many great wines. Had a glass from coravin side by side with 2012. 2012 was just a much better wine.
This one had a kind of smoke thing going on that together with the ripe character and earthy tone didn´t really win my heart. Fruit was not really present. I am a big Roagna fan, but this wine is not on the same level as the other stuff.

2/7/2019 - Rolle27 Likes this wine:

Normally I like young barolo, but this one needs time. At least 3 years. Luckily this was my coravin debut, so I poured a glass and the rest is now back in the cellar. Nose was a bit introvert. Not much to offer. Drinking it was a bit more promising.
It had some of the Castiglione Falletto fruit perfume, a bit of the Monforte untamed personality, some Ravera Menthol and the typical barolo Liquorice. I know it is pure Pira fruit, hence it was a tricky experience. I liked it, though. 100 usd is a relatively high price, but I reckon it will develop into 94-96 when ready to show its full spectrum. Today, I would go for the 2012 Pajé Barbaresco - same price, but incredibly delicious now and perhaps just a better wine in the long run as well.

2/3/2019 - Rolle27 Likes this wine:

My third bottle in 3 weeks, and I am completely in love with the style. So many things going on here, but in a very tempting and subtle way. The nose is very fresh with mint, orange, lemon, roses and leather. The palate is sooo elegant. The fruit is extremely delicious. Nebbiolo rocks. Tea flavours, muscovado sugar, liquorice, dark cherry - it is all there. What a harmony. And it is still in its early days - will keep evolving for ten more years. Pricey, but lovely.

1/19/2019 - Rolle27 Likes this wine:

My last bottle. Wish I had more. Right in its peak window - truly a wonderful wine. I am not a fan of the overwhelming and overripe pinot style where the alcohol and sweetness runs the show - this one is leaning towards what I don´t like, but it never goes too far. Everything is in balance and I love it. It has the oregon spices, it has the burgundy acidity and it has the russian river fruit and dark nuances. Everybody around the table said liquorice after the first zip.
If you are lucky enough to have a few bottles left, heat up the cooking plate and kill a cow - we had it with cote de boeuf, and it was a brilliant match. To me a reference for what russian river pinot should be like. Masterpiece.

12/16/2018 - Rolle27 Likes this wine:

Only had this one bottle in my cellar - and I am already crying for more. What a beauty, drinking so well right now. Seducing aromas. Christmas cake spices, roses and an oceans of red and dark berries welcomes you. Nothing new - Cerretta juice from A - Z, wrapped in leather, tobacco, liquorice and accommodating ripe tannins. Almost elegant in some aspects, despite the hot vintage. A true star - and I´ll definitely monitor Giovannis work from now on. A lot of people had concerns about the Barolo 2011´s when the wines were released, but they all drink so well now. So charming and inviting.

11/30/2018 - Rolle27 Likes this wine:

Bingo. What is not to like? It keeps surprising me how easy these 2013 barolos are to enjoy extremely young. No doubt - you get a young wine with raw tannins, but you also get something else that compensates for the untamed part. Nebbiolo perfume welcomes you, then some floral notes. First sip and dark cherry kicks in. Almost syrup-like notes. Licorice and a spicy subtitle. Delicate Eucalyptus - not on Ravera level, but still significant. World class winemaking. I just wish I had a lot them to look forward to in +5 yrs. It can easily mature into a 96-97 score if it can be left alone for some time. If you can find it - be happy!

11/9/2018 - Rolle27 Likes this wine:

I am smiling while writing this. Great oregon pinot makes me happy. And this Pinot from Bergström is wonderful. When I get the buttermilk notes at first sniff, I always know the Pinot in the glass is my kind of partner. A bit like the Forrest on a rainy day. Palate - Plum, dark fruit and some oak, that left after some minutes in the glass. Give it 2-4 yrs in the dark and it will gain weight and nuances. I am drinking the 12´s right now, they are world class. 16 Will definitely be a 95 wine within a few yrs.

10/27/2018 - Rolle27 Likes this wine:

Charming wine. 2009 had a warm summer, but it is still a delicate and relatively feminine expression and touch that lurks behind the powerful and dark fruit. I like it. Floral notes - almost perfume like.
Not at all on the ripe site. Dusty and earthy - perhaps from the 20 % Merlot? An underlying discrete graphite nuance. Typical St. Julien. Needs 3-4 more yrs to soften a bit and to mature the dark berries. Probably going to land on 95-96 points with these extra years in the cellar.

10/27/2018 - Rolle27 Likes this wine:

2010 is about to open up and seduce its drinkers for the coming 5-8 years. What a wine and what a ride. Robust ripe dark fruit that floats on a ground of sexy tannins. This is top cndp. Leather and tobacco. Meaty texture and a hint of sweetness, but it never seams heavy or out of balance. Wish I had more than two left in the cellar. It completely killed a Saxum JBV 2011, that felt so singular and one dimensional side by side with the Pegau.
Had it with Onglet (hanger steak), Gratin Gratin dauphinois, roasted porcini mushrooms and green peppercorn sauce. It was a textbook combination.

If you are lucky enough to be the owner of Pegau 2010 in your portfolio - get ready to be seduced.

10/27/2018 - Rolle27 Likes this wine:

What a great wine from a difficult year. Masterpiece. So crisp and fresh aromas in the nose. Lemony and flowers all over. Medium bodied and a mineral character. Still too young, but extremely promising. Apricot, peach all balanced with a razor sharp acidity. The lobster that was served was a world class match. The buttery brioche bun, the lemon mayo, the juicy losbter and the vibrant acidity and dazzling citrus fruit from the wine was an almost teary and touching moment. Far the best meursault from 16 I have tasted so far. Buisson-Charles is an extremely rare chance to get world class meursault without draining your bank account.

9/28/2018 - Rolle27 Likes this wine:

By far the most interesting Barbera I´ve ever tasted. It was consumed over 2-3 hours and it was very generous all the way, and constantly changing and developing. Such a pleasure. The acidity was fascinating. The nose never matched the palate, and was probably the weak part. Not much to tell about. A bit ripe dark cherries and some sweet and spicy notes liked mulled wine.
But each sip was such a pleasure. Electric and full of dark fruit and it almost had complexity a bit like a mature barolo. Acidity was so pleasent followed an explosion of dark cherries. Gentle Tannins and a everlasting finale. Didn´t know that Barbera could age and get this character. Splendid craftsmanship. Luckily I have just found two 2013s, can´t wait till they grow a bit older. Bravo Cappellano.

9/13/2018 - Rolle27 Likes this wine:

What a way to start a 4 days barolo trip - first dinner and Rinaldi 2013 Brunate was on the winelist. Paid only 100 EUR!
The best young barolo I have ever tasted. From the very first drop that hit the glass the aromas came alive. A Nebbiolo perfume explosion in the room. Roses, Menthol, Strawberries and Lavendel. Wauw. Irresistible. Then the first zip - way too young, yet so self-contradictory, because you simply can´t stop drinking it. The mouth is so muscular elegant (like a powerful ballet dancer), despite its puberty. You get the tobacco and some spices (cinnamon?), you get the cherries and red berries, you get a curtain of fine tannins - you get your world class Barolo. Drink one now and put the rest away in the cellar while you drink a lot of 2011´s :-).
5-8 yrs from now this could be the perfect wine.

9/15/2018 - Rolle27 Likes this wine:

Had it with two dishes topped with white truffles in La Morra. Great match.
The wine is on the ripe fruit side and so drinkable. Lots of aromas and flavors to play ping pong with the perfume from the truffle. Excellent. The palate had all the riped barolo things going on - cherries, leather and floral notes. Some sweet tobacco to conclude the aftertaste.
If you don’t like the ripe fruit barolo style like lodali lorens, Ca'Viola Sottocastello di Novello etc. then forget about this guy, but if you do - start cooking something with aromas and roasted meat, open a bottle of Revello and enjoy your life.

9/13/2018 - Rolle27 wrote:

I love Barolo, but I’ll probably never be a big fan of these introverted Serralunga wines. I simply miss the fruit. Lots of hard tannins that dominates - maybe it needs 5-8 more years to unfold?
Nose was fine - sour cherries, leather, hint of delicate aromas, but the palate lacks the fruit or whatever it takes to fill the mouth. There is nothing to balance the acidity and the tannins. I bit like some very young Gigondas wines, that can be very hard to drink as well.
I will definitely bring some herbs based food on the table if I run into this again - lamb and rosemary would be perfect.

9/14/2018 - Rolle27 Likes this wine:

Wonderful and seductive. This a textbook aromatic wine. Red cherry, herbs and a hint of raspberry. Tannins are almost hovering. They are there, but they never land. Impressing craftmanship. So elegant and fascinating. Is is a wine that you can´t stop drinking. And it is not burgundy - it is nebbiolo from its sexy side. It is Barbaresco to die for. RIP Bruno, you deserve the the best grapes to work with in heaven.

9/7/2018 - Rolle27 Likes this wine:

I am definitely 94+ on this one. 2-4 more years and it will blossom into 95-96. Found a case for 75usd pr. bottle.
Overall - Great and embracing. Best Pauillac for the money I have found in many years. Delicate and vibrant nose. Ripe dark berries and cedar. So alive and hard to let go. Palate is what Pauillac does best. Graphite, light toast and blackberries. Silky tannins and just wondeful to drink. On the elegant side. If you can find it, buy a case and enjoy over the next 8-10 yrs. If you are looking for an affordable and drinkable Pauillac. You found it.

9/7/2018 - Rolle27 Does not like this wine:

A bit dissapointing. Not really true Pauillac in my opinion. Notes of graphite and blackberries, you sense the barriques as well, no doubt. I had fresh Plumbs and blackcurrants entertaining in the nose. Anyway, All in all - not really what I had hoped for.
Had it head to head with 2014 - Château Grand Puy Lacoste. The theme was 40usd Pauillac 2014 up against 80usd Pauillac 2014.
The Puy Lacoste won every round and completely destroyed the Pauillac de lynch-bages.
Conclusion if you want a great glass of Pauillac it is going to cost you 80 usd. If you only have 40 usd - forget about Pauillac.

8/31/2018 - Rolle27 Likes this wine:

What a wonderful Barolo. Such a pleasure - this is why I rate Barolo higher that any other wine on this planet. You take a relatively ordinary wine, you wait almost 10 yrs and you´ll be rewarded with an extrardinary experience. Tons of dried dark fruit, tobacco, leather, rose perfume. Brilliant. Still a wonderful balance with the acidity playing a main role. The serralunga grip is so significant - and so wonderful. I never stop being amazed by how some of these serralunga wines can be so clumsy in their youth and then suddenly developed into somthing so erect and indisputable. Love it, love it and love it. Will continue to shine for a long time.

8/25/2018 - Rolle27 Likes this wine:

100 points from parker, 99 points from suckling .... seriously?
The perfect wine? From people that have tasted Saxum JBV 2007, Conterno Barolo 2004 and Latour 1982.
The short version is - this is a great BBQ and steak wine.
The long version - this is a great BBQ and steak wine.
No, this is not the perfect wine. And Parker and whomever will never rate this 100 points if they don´t have some kind of interest in doing it. Final.

But, don´t blame the wine - it is actually a fine and decent relatively simple wine with silky tannins, dark berries, mushrooms and herbal notes. Linear, vanilla oak and ripe friut (malbec?). Hard not to like, but no way near a perfect wine and shouldn´t really be compared with the big guys. It is not fair to the wine.

8/25/2018 - Rolle27 wrote:

WTF? weird weird. I know this wine to perfection. Have already posted 2 earlier tasting notes with a 95 points rating, and probably tasted the 2010 8-10 times in addition to my notes - all with a consistent 95+ impression. But not this one. Not flawed at all, but simply not the same wine. This one was a rosso kind of thing, ordinary, a bit too ripe, not bad at all but no way near the brunello la serena 2010 I know so well. Sad to realise the variation in quality. Same winery, same vintage but not the same wine. Far from the world class wine that seduced me a few months ago, and so many times before that. Grrrr. Maybe it explains the variations in ratings on this site?

8/18/2018 - Rolle27 Likes this wine:

Well, this one is difficult. The last 2 days I have been blessed with a sequence of great 2013 barolos. Mainly from Barolo, La Morra and C. Falletto. Scavino, Mascarello, Rinaldi etc. And then this Cogno from Novello ending the show. I know it is an entry level guy, but I somehow kept struggling with it. Had it going on for 3 hours, but we never truly bonded. It is for sure a decent wine, but I constantly had this feeling of too much going on. It will definitely improve with 3-5 more yrs in the cellar, and I am going to use it as a reference wine in future tastings. If you need to introduce someone to young vines - this is the one. It is so teenage like in all aspects. If you need to talk about white pepper - it is so distinct on the palate. Lots of flowers too. Tobacco as well. I had to find a CAO cigar in my humidor for comparison - smelling the cigar was really emphasizing the Tobacco flavors in the wine. Not in the nose - but all over the mouth after each sip.
So, basically I had a lot of fun with this wine, cause it is really giving. The nose is pretty forward Ravera characteristics, but the palate is way more complex with a handfuld of distinct impressions going on - somehow in a disorderly way. I might end up being a bit more generous (93) next time we come across - preferably a few years from now. Interesting wine, but Sucklings 97 is a long way from what I sensed. Worth trying! Give it a go.

8/16/2018 - Rolle27 Likes this wine:

Young drinkable barolo always makes me happy. This 2013 is adorable. It is a great wine that delivers all the charming Nebbiolo ingrediens.
Will keep being in the window for many years. My buddie called it elegant, and I think it is spot on. To me 2013 seems to be an outstanding vintage in Barolo - and the 4-5 wines I have had from Castiglione Falletto are really extraordinary. So refined and balanced. Leather and red fruit welcomes you. Then the earthy and peppery punch. Tiny hint of rose perfume, but less than normal. Tannins are constantly present, but it suits it so well.
Perfect entry level Barolo. Bravo.

7/7/2018 - Rolle27 Likes this wine:

Brilliant juice. Dark and orange - almost sunset - glow. Nose is still a bit reserved, but umami, dried meat, dark chocolate and blackberry jam is all there. Nose and palate goes hand in hand - all wrapped in silky tannins. You sense this is world class wine, but in its early days. The 15 % procent does not hide, but does not dominate either - do not fear to serve the biggest steak with this. It will handle it. The acidity will dance with the bearnaise as well. It is a big wine in all aspects. Some will probably find it too hefty, but if you like the big Brunello style, stop searching. This is it.
Can´t wait to come back in 2-3 yrs time and have another dance with this shining star.

6/21/2018 - Rolle27 Likes this wine:

Wuaw. Mature and so ready to be consumed. A true darling. This is why everybody needs a wine cellar. The guy that uncorked it it simply just said “holy sh..” right after the first notes hit his nose immediately.
It is a great product that is exactly where it needs to be. It is all there - figs, dark berries, silky tannins, sweet liquorice. Typical mature ribera. Drinks well, no sharp corners. It is not a world class wine, and not multilayered like the big ones are, but who cares on a normal day with good friends. It is likable, it is easy to drink - it is what wine is made for. To be enjoyed and paired with good food. A bit on the ripe site, but it doesn´t go too far.
Wish I had more.

6/9/2018 - Rolle27 Likes this wine:

6 months later ... Still on the right track, but time will make it even better.
Had a wine / food pairing dinner with William Selyem Pinot Bucher 2012, Epoch Tempranillo 2014 and Bedrock Weill 1 2013 - all of them with high JD ratings (97-99).
After the dinner we needed something in the glass to keep the momentum going - Serena Brunello 2010 was opened, and I was excited to see how it would match the dinner wines. The Serena was without any doubt a step up! Full Consensus around the table. Even from the 2 Brunello sceptics.
The acidity is still playing a main role, the black fruit is lurking behind every sip, not yet fully evolved but growling in the back. Tannins are coating the jaws in a pleasent and succulent way. Toasted flavours, dark chocolate and spices. What a pleasure. If I can control myself, next one will most likely be cracked in mid 2019. It deserves to have a little time on its own in the cellar - optimally +2 years, but I am only human :-)

5/15/2018 - Rolle27 Likes this wine:

I am not really a big fan of these full throttle, high on alcohol wines - but Russell is a jedi. This is a masterpiece. Dark berries, toasted skeleton, a bit perfumed (wild flowers?), coffee nuances and more dark berries. Ripe, but not too ripe. Structured and a delicate acidity to give it a backbone. I feel lucky to be able to bring a bottle with me back home after visiting Paso on vacation. If you are there - do not miss the Herman Story tasting room.

4/20/2018 - Rolle27 Likes this wine:

A beauty. Completely ready now - a balance between still being vibrant and mature dark ripe fruit with ruby red notes. I got tons of Blackberry cookie aromas and licorice. Exactly how I like my Central Coast Syrahs. Great work from the winery. I kept getting some Grenache red berry spices and freshness, but as far as I know, it is a 100% Syrah. Kinda strange, but lovely and charming for the wine.
Drinking a wine in its prime window is always a pleasure.

4/14/2018 - Rolle27 Likes this wine:

Are you kidding me? Finished the bottle 30 minutes ago at a restaurant in madrid. It was so ready without showing any sign of age. Really great. Loved it. Cannot believe how great it was. Too drunkt to tell about the details - but loved it all the way.

4/6/2018 - Rolle27 wrote:

Nothing better than a wine in its prime. This was my 6th 2009 brunello since december 2017 - and they keep suprising me. Only la serena from this vintage has been a disappointment the rest has been much better than expected. A bit like bordeaux 2006 at the moment. Not at all a top year, but still extremely enjoyable wines. I love when underrated years blossom beyond expectation.
The Sesti 2009 is brilliant. Dark berries, even coffee and dark chokolate, orange zest, ripe but not overdone. Floral and almost a pinot noir touch - but still sooooo much brunello. Definitely a hot year, but the minerality and the hovering acidity is holding it together. With the rabbit ragu it became symbiotic. Tasted it 3 years ago and then it was a bit too ”warm” on my palate - rated it 90. Now I am closer to 94-95 than moving down on the scale. Crazy how 3 years can change a wine - after 25 years it still suprises me. Both ways by the way. This one in a highly positive way.
If you are blessed with having Sesti 2009 in you cellar, start smiling, go to your kitchen, make some italian pasta dish with sage and some kind of meat, invite your friends and serve this wine - and expect your guest to kiss you and sing when they leave. It is so lovely now. The essens of why we all drink wine will unfold right in front of you. Enjoy.

4/1/2018 - Rolle27 Does not like this wine:

Sorry, but too overripe for my taste. If you are adoring blockbuster and almost vulgar Pinots, this is what you are looking for. I miss the subtle and delicate characters of a wine, the minerality is buried in tons of heavy dark ripe fruit and alcohol. Blockbuster pinot. Don´t expect any finesse - it is like being hit by a grapetruck. I´d probably have loved this in my younger Amarone days, nowadays I prefer westcoast pinots a bit more balanced like Paul Lato, Bergström, Walter Hansel, Selyem, Dehlinger etc.
Not pointing fingers, but it is definitely a bastard :-) In all aspects.

3/30/2018 - Rolle27 Likes this wine:

This is how I want my pinot. Great craftsmanship. Lato is in my optic one of the best winemakers in california. Wonderful nose with summer flowers and sweet raspberries. It has a perfect balance of power, acidity and minerality. Sta. Rita meets Chambertin. Ripe without being overdone. Great match with roasted lamb and tons of fresh herbs.
Don’t miss this one if you like burgundy with a little extra of everything. Masterpiece.

3/31/2018 - Rolle27 Likes this wine:

This one is a beauty. Fresh CndP style with tons of grenache charm. If you are looking for the overdone vintage port-like CndP, this is not it. This one is more Ruby like. Sweet licorice and notes of flowers. Red berries all over, charming, hints of delicate Syrah peber and cinnamon spices and a texture out of this world. Winemaking at its best. Complex, layered and so vivid. Masterpiece, that deserves all the attention it gets out there. If you like the style - this is a top driver!
It was so enjoyable now (1hour decant) - but it will stay lively for at least 10 more yrs. Enjoy.
Excellent price value ratio. Had it been a Californian wine, price would have been up at least 200 %.

1/12/2018 - Rolle27 Likes this wine:

This was my 4th experience with this wine from 2010, and finally it is beginning to wake up from its hibernation. Still not ready, but a 2 hrs decant revelead some of the potential. Acidity is significant, so are the floral elements - mainly roses. If you never understood what the term Rose Petals means when describing a wine, this guy will explain it all.
A succulent Brunello style, with refined meaty and earthy notes. Ripe dark fruit is there, but still as a very subtle layer. Dark chokolate and truffle as well. If you peel an orange and smell your fingers, you´ll find a lot of similarities in this wine. Way more to come from this fellow. Give it 2-4 more years and I am sure that you will find a lovely friend to match your ribeye for the next many years. It will never be a 98 points (Parker) wine in my optic, but with that said, it just went from a bit dissapointing to a very interesting drink to follow in the coming years. Really looking forward to the next encounter in 12 months time to see if it gained more bellyfat in terms of tobacco, riped cherry and chocolate to balance the acidity.

1/12/2018 - Rolle27 Likes this wine:

If you can find this wine in this vintage (2010) buy it all. It simply gets better and better. Still 3-5 years from peaking, but it is a giant pleasure to drink already now. Packed with fruits and spices. Cherry, tobacco and dark chokolate. Orange notes playing in the back. Basically all the Brunello
elements lives in this wine - in an extraordinary balance. Clear backbone of minerality and acidity that holds everything together and still makes it fresh and vibrant (and young). I will be surprised if it doesn’t develop into a 97 points wine within the next few years. I paid 32 Usd for this! Could be the best buy for me in 25 years.
A masterpiece.