Reserved fruit - difficult to separate from the dark, dense structure/body. Tannins still present and correct. This is a wine all about texture. Not entirely my bag but drank with roasted wild duck - a good partner. Feels like it's at the end of its window. Drink up!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Like others, might not be obvious at first taste as a Cabernet Franc. More like a Montepulciano with medium body and fruit, perhaps a lack of the tannins and structure you'd expect in a traditional Franc. Structure is now in decline.
This wine drank better 2/3 years ago. Drink up now. I don't feel it'll get any better with age.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
2019 notes: Nowhere near ready so difficult to give a fair score. Overwhelming tannins - hints of substance, but question is - after the tannins subside does any of the substance and structure remain? Needs another few years in the cellar to find out.
2023 notes: And now we know. Tannins have integrated beautifully, leaving a mid weight well balanced wine. Correctly cellared for 4 years. Not the heaviest Barolo but better for it. This is a subtle wine - no blockbuster. Hints of spice and berry fruit. Drink now whilst the tannins are at their height. Very enjoyable - a pleasant update after my initial tasting 4 years ago.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
2013 M. Chapoutier Domaine de Bila-Haut Occultum Lapidem
12/10/2023 - Smifffy wrote: 88 Points
Reserved fruit - difficult to separate from the dark, dense structure/body. Tannins still present and correct. This is a wine all about texture. Not entirely my bag but drank with roasted wild duck - a good partner. Feels like it's at the end of its window. Drink up!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2009 Vignamaggio Cabernet Franc Toscana IGT
1/4/2023 - Smifffy wrote: 88 Points
Like others, might not be obvious at first taste as a Cabernet Franc. More like a Montepulciano with medium body and fruit, perhaps a lack of the tannins and structure you'd expect in a traditional Franc. Structure is now in decline.
This wine drank better 2/3 years ago. Drink up now. I don't feel it'll get any better with age.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2012 Giacomo Grimaldi Barolo Le Coste
10/24/2019 - Smifffy wrote: 89 Points
2019 notes: Nowhere near ready so difficult to give a fair score. Overwhelming tannins - hints of substance, but question is - after the tannins subside does any of the substance and structure remain? Needs another few years in the cellar to find out.
2023 notes: And now we know. Tannins have integrated beautifully, leaving a mid weight well balanced wine. Correctly cellared for 4 years. Not the heaviest Barolo but better for it. This is a subtle wine - no blockbuster. Hints of spice and berry fruit. Drink now whilst the tannins are at their height. Very enjoyable - a pleasant update after my initial tasting 4 years ago.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment