2011 Cantina del Pino Barbaresco Gallina

Community Tasting Notes (5) Avg Score: 90.3 points

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View HowardNZ's profile
  • Report Issue

  3/18/2021 - HowardNZ Likes this wine:

  A poignant wine to drink just over a year since the untimely death, at 51, of the winemaker and owner, Renato Vacca. I met Renato at a lunch in 2015 with his cousin Aldo Vacca (of Produttori) at Barbaresco’s wonderful Trattoria Antica Torre. He was a lovely bloke and so dedicated to improving his winemaking and wines. When we visited him in 2016 he proudly showed us around his winery and his beloved, special section of the Ovello vineyard. Colour light ruby moving garnet. Initially quite closed, the wine needs air. Much better on the second evening. Drinking well now but it may still improve over the next 3-5+ years. Dark fruited, earthy, structured, dense and tarry with savoury elements. The alcohol - 15% ABV - no longer so over-prominent. Grippy tannins and vibrant acidity on the finish.

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View HowardNZ's profile
  • Report Issue

  1/12/2020 - HowardNZ Likes this wine: 89 Points

  I normally like Renato Vacca's refined, classy Barbarescos but I am less impressed here ... Spicy black cherry and berry fruit, with some plums, a little tar, musk and woody oak on the nose. Some kirsch and a hint of dark chocolate. An initial very ripe, rich - very much 2011 Barbaresco or Barolo - presentation on the palate. However, unctous and, to me, flirting over-ripe. There is also a sense of more alcohol than is optimal (15% ABV, on the label). A bitter espresso element that I assume is oak derived. Plenty of fruit and concentration, in fact I would have preferred a little less. I don't see this Gallina as a long-cellaring wine. The last glass on the second evening was the best getting the score up to 89.

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View fanglangzhe's profile
  • Report Issue

  3/3/2018 - fanglangzhe Likes this wine: 90 Points

  Red & dark fruits, spices, herbs, savoury note, nice acidity. Firm tannic finish.

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View vancouvermatt's profile
  • Report Issue

  2/12/2017 - vancouvermatt wrote:

  Only 100 cases made.
  
  Tightly wound & not giving up much on the nose, even over two days. Seemed a bit rustic and backwards. Has the wine shut down?
  
  Disappointing at $80 CDN. Needs more time.

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View Motz's profile
  • Report Issue

  4/25/2016 - Motz wrote: 92 Points

  Deceptively powerful Barbaresco. Juicy and lively bouquet of raspberry tea, rhubarb, and rosehips. Gripping, bold, and featuring stunning texture. Balanced offering, powerful and focused middle, gripping finish.

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

Professional reviews have copyrights and you can view them here for your personal use only as private content. To view pro reviews you must either subscribe to a pre-integrated publication or manually enter reviews below. Learn more.