February 24, 2023 - I think this was an off bottle. Had some fruit and mint traces, but seemed mildly corked. No score given.
January 28, 2023 - Cooked
May 27, 2022 - Opened an hour or so before drinking. Did not decant
Red fruit (cherry, slight blackberry), nice floral- rose, spice, nice earth, good acidity. Lingering finish. Really enjoyable.
January 31, 2021 - Still very youthful with garnet cherry color and little signs of bricking. Vanilla and cherry on the nose. Smooth with a nice finish. Should last another 5-10 years.
January 24, 2021 - Prior bottle was 8 months ago and this particular bottle was only a small step down from my prior one. Floral, black cherry and forest floor notes on a nose that wasn't quite as aromatic as my prior bottle. Between medium and full bodied with the same fruit combination of black cherry and blackberry initially, plum and darker cherry through the middle and integrated tannins, light spices, minerals and earth on the finish. This bottle felt fully integrated and very balanced and harmonious. The fruit was rounded and expressive, with just enough structure for balance. As compared to my prior bottle, it was a small step down in terms of density and overall complexity. While rounder and more open, it had lost a little in terms of definition. At just over 20 years of age, this has the fruit to continue to show well for several more years, but given how integrated it is, this is peak. I'd consider buying more if the opportunity arose, but it's probably best enjoyed over the next 2-3 years.
May 18, 2020 - Took about 90 minutes to open up and continued to improve over three hours. Very floral nose, along with black cherry, tar and some light forest floor notes. Between medium and full bodied (14% ABV) with beautifully balanced black cherry and blackberry upfront, deepening to dark black cherry and plum through the middle. Tart blackfruit notes, fine grained tannins and acidity on the backside provide structure and contrast. Finishes with earth, minerals and leather notes. The mid-body was silky and elegant, showing an impressive balance between fruit expressiveness and the balancing structure qualities. The wine drank extremely well and is at peak, but should be able to hold this level for several more years. If I see anymore, I will certainly be a buyer!
March 9, 2019 - Opened 3 hours prior to dinner and decanted 30 minutes later when I realized this wasn't going to supple out anytime soon even at age 18+. This likely needs more like 5 hours plus in the decanter. Its a big brooding Barolo with structure in need of further time. Drank surprisingly young from a structural standpoint. Semi opaque cloudy ruby color. I had stood the btl up but some of the sediment must still have gotten in suspension. There was later some clumpy sediment. Cork in great shape. Restrained aromatics. Dark fruited, tar, balsamic and mineral. Oak mostly integrated. A little heavy and finesse deprived, for my liking. I don't know, never fell in love with this and expected more from a 18yr old btl from a semi modern producer. 90/91 Sourced last year.
May 29, 2018 - This is a fantastic wine. Double decanted 30 minutes prior to tasting. Fully mature. Brownish garnet as is common with aged Barolo. Acids and tannins are balanced. Showing some tertiary notes of forest floor and umami. Tart cherry, resiny and balsamic notes. Long finish. Really drinking well!
December 27, 2016 - Deep purple color. Very tannic and acid on first opening, but after some airing, the wine became beautifully balanced, but with only vague hints of black fruit, and maybe the slightest hint of tar. There were no rose petals to be found. Barolo is another wine that I have found over hyped and disappointing, despite mighty efforts. This was the best Barolo that I have had, but that isn't saying much. I ask myself whether I have lost my taste and smell, but I don't think that I have. I have friends that also have a hard time getting much out of these wines. Unfortunately, there aren't any new world examples that might teach us something, as the California Pinot Noirs have taught us about the inadequacies of red Burgundy.
I will stick with the Sangiovese wines, both pure and blended, and very good without some great mental effort.
October 30, 2016 - A beautiful Barolo. Dark fruited , tar , leather. Good structure enough fruit to balance the tannins.