March 3, 2020 - Nose with ripe red berries, some dried or candied berries, roses, a bit of chocolate, some warm earth and other hints of developed notes. Medium body, red berries with hints of dark berries, a bit of dried berries, some spices, a bit of alcoholic bite, fine mineral notes, still some tannins with some "dry edges" to them, aftertaste with berries and tannins. (Still) drinks well now, but unlikely to improve further and more likely to start declining. 90 pts.
This is a serious wine for a "plain" Barbaresco. I'd say that it shows some modern style, but not in an exaggerated way at this developed stage, and that the palate of this bottle showed more development (and "drying" character) than the nose. The mineral notes is one of its definite plusses.
April 2, 2019 - Needs decanting. 2 or 3 hours. Old school. Very good after decanting. Ripe and fresh.
March 12, 2014 - I would like to say it's my huge surprise by a basic level barbaresco. Strong oak aroma upfront. Modern style. Very strong fresh rose petal aroma kept penetrating my mouth thru drinking, with good balance of oak aroma. Very powerful and with long memorable aftertaste. Slightly chocolate hint at finish. Drink smoothly now.
November 18, 2013 - Huge nose of blackberry. Medium body with smooth texture and intense flavors of berry and graphite. Great structure to balance the fruit. Long finish of intense fruit, silky tannins and ample acidity. This wine has come a long way in the last couple years.
September 22, 2013 - Mature. Strong tannins and structure. Complex, acid. Very good with food.
January 30, 2012 - Wildly expressive nose of blackberry pie. Medium body with flavors of berry and mineral. Finish is short and tannic. Should be much better in 2 years.
March 12, 2011 - Nice Italian rusty color. Med ruby red, only slight bricking at the rim - not from age - just the style.
Nose of light rusty raspberries, dusty dried herbs, cherries, light potpourri, cinnamon, clove and touches of savory spice.
Palate is elegant and really nice. Big finish showing some heat (15% alcohol by volume). A well made wine, just a tad on the hot side.
Really enjoy the style though.
August 9, 2010 - Perhaps too young. Light-med body, licorice nose, flavors of blackberry and raspberry, with an intense, but acidic and tannic finish.
August 7, 2008 - modern style, very drinkable even now but not as good as 2004