August 24, 2023 - Still fairly youthful, this doesn't seem to have evolved much since my last bottle five years ago. It feels like an in-between phase, with some enjoyment to be found but far from mature.
Retasted from Boston round a week later, and with about 45 minutes of air and a slight chill this was delicious. Good freshness, a pretty nebbiolo texture, seems right at the early peak. Some leftovers that saw a lot of air were oxidized when revisited a few days later. So this may be closer to the pocket than I'd previously appreciated.
Final bottle in 1-2 years.
June 18, 2020 - Very tight on opening. Decanted 2 hrs. Opened up nicely. Light nose of tart cherries and strawberries, medium light palate of same fruits. medium finish light on tannins. Nice QPR Langhe Nebbiolo. I don't thinkfurther aging will improve the wine, so drink over next 2-3 yrs.
April 20, 2019 - Decanted 1 hour in advance, enjoyed over 1.5 hours. Lots of character on the nose: cherry and tar sure, but also beef jerky and tomato leaf. A markedly masculine vibe to it. On the palate it has really good volume and a terrific structure. Dry and savory with awesome grip, this wine is rough and rugged and very charismatic. Indeed very much old school all the way, there is nothing polished nor smooth about it but it is authentic and delicious and clearly extremely well made. A true baby-Barolo with good depth and really firm mouthfeel, awesome length as well.
September 13, 2018 - Spent much more time with this vs. the taste a couple of weeks ago. Attractive, typical Burlotto nose of Amarena cherry and black olive. Lovely palate that follows the nose, with slightly chewy but very approachable and only gentle astringent tannins. This is very young still and should go another 5-7 or more years effortlessly. Based on my experience with the 2005 especially, this is years from peak. Only nit is there's a touch of heat at the back, but the unresolved tannin is probably contributing to this sensation. The astringence took on more prominence with time in the glass, so for me this is a clear hold unless consuming with fatty foods. I'll wait at least 3-4 years before opening another.
September 2, 2018 - Just a taste but this was lovely juice, fresh red fruits with that hint of saline and olive that is trademark Burlotto. In a great place for drinking but should hold nicely and also improve further.
July 12, 2017 - This 2012 Langhe Nebbiolo is already mature. Held since release, the color is a darker garnet>ruby. Aromas are classic Nebbiolo, but there's a signature spice/perfume thing going on that's rather unique; in a good way, of course. Medium-bodied the red fruits are juicy, almost plump by Nebbiolo standards, but there's plenty of natural acidity to keep this well-proportioned and tasting fresh. Take some time with this, the perfumes, subtle in a way, are great fun. That said, I don't see any reason to wait, this is ready. Enjoy now or over the next few years. 14,0% abv. recommended
PnP, served non-blind, the wine was linear throughout the course of a 2 hour lunch.
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January 24, 2017 - Nice showing, starting to take on more secondary aromas and resolution. Still with good freshness and while not completely devoid of sweetness, there is more of a savory, animale element starting to take hold. A nice pair with tri-tip.
December 22, 2015 - Good tannic energy remains, however I didn't enjoy this bottle as those from last year. I'll give the remaining bottles some additional years.
December 3, 2015 - Wonderful, balanced and fresh. Alive with red fruit, spice, firm fine tannin and acidity. Great on the table with our amateurish attempt at Portuguese rotisserie chicken.
November 20, 2015 - Visit to G.B. Burlotto (Verduno, Piemonte, Italy): Gorgeous nebbiolo nose of sweet cherry, rose, and balsamic notes. Elegant and nicely structured in the mouth, with delineated flavors of strawberry and a tart finish. Juicy acidity. I like this.