The Auswine Forum

Hi Con,

They will motor on forever. 2000 obviously in a long window but 2001 I'd hold off. Roagna needs a lot of time in their style.

If you get a chance, a horizontal of Paje, Paje VV & Crichet Paje is a special vinous experience and you see incremental increases of depth and complexity - making CP feel almost mystical.

Give the wine a lot of respect in how you present.

The Riservas are quite expensive now.

2005 Podere Rocche dei Manzoni Barolo Vigna d'la Roul

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14% ABV.

A medium bodied modernist style of Barolo. More about structure than fruit. Tar, vanilla oak, earth, spices, dark cherry, black liquorice. Still very tannic. Tastes half a decade younger than its vintage would have you believe, possibly preserved by a significantly longer cork than usual. This will develop further for years to come. Still enjoyable to drink now after a few hours in the decanter. If you have a bottle, I'd wait at least another 5 years before opening.

Giuseppe Cortese Rabaja Riserva Barbaresco 2008- Pop 'n pour with the brontosaurus in picture. Starts understated with gentle aeration wooing out classic Rabaja aromatics which blend the best nuances of the sites around Barbaresco town. Cool and classical, the riserva needs considerable more time than the normale in 2008.

92pts +





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Paitin Barbaresco Serroboella 2015
Poured and left for 10min before tasting. Amazing clarity in the glass, a lovely ruby colour with a garnet rim. Intense rose perfume mixed in with fresh red berries and pine needles. The palate is wonderfully mid weight, yet bursting with flavour. The tannins are firm and present, yet silky and fine. Power, poise and complexity - everything you would look for in a great Nebbiolo.

As a side note, there is an almost pinot-like sappy or stalky thing going on in there too. My only gripe is the finish is long, but not ultra long. Should of course improve considerably with age.

2013 Roberto Sarotto Riserva Barbaresco
Not a producer I’m familiar with but gave it a whirl. Quite juicy and very easy drinking, especially for a 2013. It a nice easy drink and the length is reasonable but you wouldn’t call it a serious Barbaresco. I’d say cheap and cheerful but that probably makes it sound like a worse wine than it is.

HKWS Azelia Barolo (Rare bottles) with an introduction by Sarah Heller MW

Location: Another Place, 5F, Blk C, 2-8 Watson Road, Tin Hau
Date: Wednesday 17th April
Time: 7pm
Price: HK$ 1800 (members), HK$1900 (potential members)
Organiser: Jamie

NB: As always, please do not reply directly to this email but instead use the Reply-to link above

Dear Jamie,

With a few cancellations of late we have activated a standby event. This event is based around some rare bottles of a small family Barolo producer of around 8000 bottles. They are friends of the HKWS and hosted our touring party with magnums at Bovio restaurant in La Morra some years ago.

This event should tell a fascinating story of the dynamic changes in Barolo in the last forty years through four vineyards in Castiglione Falletto & Serralunga. We have the 1985 Barolo from a vintage just before the Barolo Wars and should display a traditional expression from a most spectacular vintage.

The Bricco Fiasco Riserva from 1990 is a very rare and one off wine and we have two vintages of Brea which has become the family’s reserve bottling. Released in only exceptional vintages from 75 year old vines in Bricco Voghera ( a natural higher extension of Brea vineyard ) which Ratti rated as one of Serralunga d’Alba’s great sites- whilst Galloni’s modern take is it’s one of Barolo’s greatest sites! The calcareous Helvetian marls of Serralunga d'Alba with the regions highest levels of calcium carbonate often produce Barolo’s most powerful wines. My experience with Voghera Brea is a fist in a velvet glove, with its warmer site conditions than the lower Brea, which producers more sonorous iron-minerality.

Bricco Fiasco is well represented in a mini-vertical from 1995 to 1997. This is a steep vineyard in Castiglione Falletto famous for a well atop offering relief for toiling workers in harvest . Castiglione Falletto has complicated soil structures and the easiest summation is to state a higher sand content in the Helvetian soils produce more perfumed and elegant wine versus the muscular Serralunga. Does Bricco Fiasco absorb the oak in this more delicate expression? In my experience San Rocco does even at a younger age but Bricco Fiasco has struggled. That said, I’ve found time heals with oak and I’ve been delighted with Bricco Fiasco from the mid-90’s.

We have a complete horizontal of Azelia’s 2004 Cru’s. Which if not a spectacular vintage, is a vintage of evenness, that will hopefully let us capture the vineyard sites and the evolution of winemaking, which is complicated by traditional and modern barrique expressions. Margheria ( Serralunga ) and Voghera Brea Riserva ( Serralunga ) are aged in large oak whereas San Rocco ( Serralunga ) and Bricco Fiasco ( Castiglione Faletto ) are immersed in smaller barrels for two years.

Finally, we have a snapshot of 2005. A vintage often maligned by critics, though for the Piedmont cognoscenti, there is a brightness at maturity that highlights the beauty of Nebbiolo.

Dinner wines include a by now welcomed vermentino from Ligurian producer Selvadolce. This is a spectacular vineyard overlooking the Mediterranean just a few hours from Alba. A worthy excursion and enjoy a fresh seafood lunch with their fascinating wines.

The 2008 Margehria from magnum is beautifully floral and elegant - its underlying power will sit well with the upcoming dishes. We then have 2009 Barolo from San Rocco and Margheria- a warm and inviting vintage and a shoot-out between small and big barrels maturation in a vintage of the new millienium. I feel this will be contentious and offer explanation into recent releases of Azelia unwinding the winemaker’s hand! The 2009 wines will be traditionally decanted.

Sarah will provide an introduction to this event. I hope you sit back and enjoy the story of Azelia with some bottles long gone from the market.


Tasting Wines

Azelia Barolo 1985

Azelia Barolo Bricco Fiasco Riserva 1990

Azelia Barolo Bricco Fiasco 1995

Azelia Barolo Bricco Fiasco 1996

Azelia Barolo Bricco Fiasco 1997

Azelia Barolo Brea Voghera Riserva 2001

Azelia Barolo Brea Voghera Riserva 2004

Azelia Barolo San Rocco 2004

Azelia Barolo Bricco Fiasco 2004

Azelia Barolo Margheria 2004

Azelia Barolo Bricco Fiasco 2005

Azelia Barolo San Rocco 2005


Dinner Wines

Tenuta Selvadolce Rebosso 2017 Vermentino x 2

Azelia Barolo Margheria 2008 en magnum

Azelia Barolo San Rocco 2009 x 3

Azelia Barolo Margheria 2009 x 3

A few changes in the above line-up. Bricco Fiasco 2004 corked and replaced by a Barolo normale 2004. 1985 normale was in fact a 1995 and we put in a 1996 normale to quell disappointment. It's unfortunate the 1985 didn't eventuate as my theme was dependant on the wine, as a snapshot at a winery in transition with historical context with 1985 being made traditionally just prior the opening salvoes of the Barolo Wars !

Azelia di Luigi Scavino Barolo 1995- Nutty red fruits, tar ,earth and marzipan. Evolved and gently spiced palate, finely structured presenting austerity without food, tapers off with grace.

Initially some felt the wine corked. It was popped and poured and opened up- common nutty/ hay descriptors in older nebbiolo can have the TCA questioned asked.

91pts

8th

3 First, 0 seconds, 3 Lasts

121 pts

Azelia di Luigi Scavino Barolo Bricco Fiasco 1995- Pretty, gently mentholated cherry-plum with sweeter fruits and clove- prior tertiary nuances adding aromatic complexity ( tobacco, leather and dry hay ). Medium and fine, sweet fruit and truffle, licorice notes emerging- disruptingly grittiness on the finish and I'd suggest this the courier rush across town on versus drying oak tannins as I've had the wine before where my adage " time heals oak " rang true.

0 First, 1 Second, 6 Lasts

92pts

12th

165 pts


Azelia di Luigi Scavino Barolo Bricco Fiasco 1996- Presenting with elegance and refinement, impressively textured with layered and deep fruit intensity. Dark fruit notes, spices and licorice notes and bolied sweets adding polish. Cleand and elegant, spicy tannins in chalk.

94pts

1 First 2 Seconds 0 Last

103pts

3rd


Azelia di Luigi Scavino Barolo Bricco Fiasco 1997- Airy and polished aromas, aniseed, creamy red fruits, camphor. Powerful wine in its medium body and resolved state, excellent length.

92pts

3 Firsts, 1 Seconds and 3 Lasts.

112pts

5th


Azelia di Luigi Scavino Barolo Bricco Fiasco 1990 Riser Showing its age with considerable development though by no means past it. Earth, aniseed, truffle and undergrowth. Powerful line and length. Fruit is in a past-peak, developed and sweetened stage with lovely licorice-truffle like flavours. Excellent length showing a hint of dryer oak tannin.

92pts

1 First 1 Second 1 Last

123pts

9th

Azelia di Luigi Scavino Barolo Bricco Fiasco 2005- Dark fruits and cola spices, ample and with a breath of refreshing mint. Oak presents a little heavily with consequential drying tannins. On second pass more gratifying and integrated.

91pts

2 Firsts 3 Seconds 1 Last

4th

110 pts

Azelia di Luigi Scavino Barolo San Rocco 2005- Ripe dark fruits and cola spices, pencil fine structure with a forceful nature. Tannins a little oak dry. Still needs time.

92pts +

0 Firsts 2 Seconds 1 Last

7th

118 pts


Azelia di Luigi Scavino Barolo normale 2004- Replacing a sadly corked Bricco Fiasco 2004 though seemed up for the task and rated highly along with the 95 and 96 normale. Fruit is from both Serralunga and Castiglione Falletto.

Lifted fresh rose prior molten red fruits, licorice and camphor. Very dense and complete, either unevolved or a simple fruit layer. Censing long acidity.

92pts +

2 First 1 Second 0 Last

10th

128pts

Azelia di Luigi Scavino Barolo Margheria 2004- Traditonally made from Serralunga vineyard. Complex creosote and ferrous minerality, airy then deepens toward dark plums and red fruits. Well-weighted, powerful and with a long palate drive commanding more cellar time or a large glass and a long sitting over a meal. Superb flavor complexity- licorice and Barolo chinato like.

94pts

0 First 3 Seconds 1 Last

128 pts

11th


Azelia di Luigi Scavino Barolo San Rocco 2004- The wine's energy was mentioned and having had the wine previously it is a consistent performer of the highest order! Worth hunting on the market and happy to share a case? Anyone ? My WOTN.

High energy, integrated, dark and complex- and then come the herbs and spices! Beautiful and clean, palate complexity mirrors the aromatics- more power and drive with powedery fine and spicy tannins.

96pts

4 First 0 Seconds 1 Last

113 points

6th


Azelia di Luigi Scavino Barolo Riserva Brea 2001- Incredibly tight and reserved. Needing time. Some commented on lollied strawberries. Plenty of earthiness and the calcarous like edges of Serralunga. Very concentrated and long, unevolved in all departments!

Previous experience with a well decanted bottle more expressive.

94pts +

1 First 1 Second 0 Last

2nd


Azelia di Luigi Scavino Barolo Riserva Brea 2004- Very tight again, a timeless and traditional Barolo. Spices and sandlewood, red fruits and Serralunga ferrous minerality with freshening menthol/ light goudron influences. Long, menacing and powerful wine. The fruit will never completely fill the airy iron-austerity but this wine is about its compelling structure.

95pts+

1 First 3 Seconds 0 Lasts

WOTN


Dinner-

A refreshing glass ofLigurian producer Selvadolce Rebosso 2017 vermentino which wowed many. I'll try to feature these wines more at upcoming events due the reception from members and also its a beautiful and friendly winery worth remembering if on the Italian coast near FRA.

The 2008 Margheria en magnum showed cool menthol nuances with explosive red florals, some new big barrel notes and evenly spread of fruit that was warm and inviting with the latter courses. 92pts

The 1996 Barolo normale was classically developed with leather and spice, tar and roses. Unassuming though gratifying. 91pts

2009 San Rocco versus 2009 Margheria saw the traditonally made Margheria show expressively and elegantly in a hot vintage. Soy and balsam, smoke and light tar, very long wine, its slightly austere state on the palate corrected with food. 90pts

San Rocco proving again this site can weather vintage and the winemaker's hand! Deep, evolved and complex, surprisongly fresh for an 09, pine nuts and red fruits. Excellent structural focus coupling with the upfront fruit of the vintage ( sweet melted licorice like ) delivering a ready to go Barolo.

92pts

1997 Bricco Fiasco. Opened on request and disappointingly 2/3rds of a bottle remained and no comments!


In conclusion, it was felt the wines showed well and were very interesting Barolo. Bottle variation and lack of aeration plagued a few bottles from the presenter's experience. The producer's evolution through the fashion of modernism, lean modernism and a mix of all left a stand-out impression of how impressive and resistant the terroir can be. San Rocco and Brea being stand-outs- Bricco Fiasco shaking off the oak after 20 years.

It seems evident that Azelia is winding back the oak and offering attention elsewhere. This is another producer in Piedmont that has the vineyards an well be quickly elevated to the higher tiers of the region.












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I can't believe a disaster did not unfold! A surgeon's hand required !


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This wine is very rare and the only ever BF riserva made. It coincides with Lorenzo Scavino's birth year. I've reported on the wine prior where it showed better- alas my last bottle.

Note the half-decanter. Absolutely brilliant for old wines. Here I've removed sediment, washed bottle with neutral water and double-decanted. I felt near perfect preparation for old nebbiolo. Noting I have a Riddoch dinner next month back to 82 and I don't dare do this with old Aussies based on lat night's 91 JR.

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Pity about the 1985. Looking forward to the rest of your notes. I've got some of these in my cellar so interested to hear your thoughts on where they're at.

Sneak a few 13's and 15's Ozzie. Could be on the move.

JamieBahrain wrote:Sneak a few 13's and 15's Ozzie. Could be on the move.

Got some 2013's already. Don't think I've seen the 2015 Barolo's yet in Australia, just the Langhe Nebs.

Ozzie W wrote:

JamieBahrain wrote:Sneak a few 13's and 15's Ozzie. Could be on the move.

Got some 2013's already. Don't think I've seen the 2015 Barolo's yet in Australia, just the Langhe Nebs.

starting to get offered the 15s as futures.

Is it a good vintage? Anything I should take a look at? Sorry for being lazy.... or perhaps I just trust this forum much more than the diatribe sent to me on email - usually some wine offer proffered with a James Suckling score accompanied.

I haven't tried to be honest.

2013 is excellent. 2015 I've been told is excellent too from Azelia and the vintage in general of course. Galloni wasn't off the charts with their 2015's but not sure how folks rate them so early.

This whole Barolo "futures" is driving me nuts. I'm asked in HKG to bid for my favorites and I tell them to F@$K off I just sourced from the UK with international freight much cheaper !

Dragzworthy wrote: Is it a good vintage? Anything I should take a look at? Sorry for being lazy.... or perhaps I just trust this forum much more than the diatribe sent to me on email - usually some wine offer proffered with a James Suckling score accompanied.

From what I have tasted so far, it is a good / solid vintage. 2016 looks amazing however.

Just got offered the 2015 Elio Grasso Barolo -- Gavarini Chiniera & Ginestra Casa Maté.

winetastic wrote:

Dragzworthy wrote: Is it a good vintage? Anything I should take a look at? Sorry for being lazy.... or perhaps I just trust this forum much more than the diatribe sent to me on email - usually some wine offer proffered with a James Suckling score accompanied.

From what I have tasted so far, it is a good / solid vintage. 2016 looks amazing however.

I'm planning to restrain myself from buying too many 2015s and wait for the 2016s.

There's still quite a lot of 2013 Barolo floating around retail, and can be had for smart prices with sales/discounts. The heavyweights will quickly sell through for 2015s but I think a lot of the 2015 midtier producers will sit around for a while, especially if prices are too aggressive.

2004 Domenico Clerico Barolo Pajana

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14.5% ABV

Classic Barolo tar 'n roses, tart red berries, sweet dried berries, caramel, mocca, oak (a bit too much!). Powdery tannins, long finish. The fruit is excellent, but the oak is distracting. A little more restraint with the oak would do wonders for this wine. I believe they have cut back on the oak in more recent vintages. Near its apogee -- perhaps the oak will integrate more? Should cellar well for another decade (nice long cork).

I came across a 2011 Virna Barolo recently. I had never heard of this producer and the label seemed a bit hoaky. The winery seems to have a good pedigree in that the winemaker is descended from the Borgogno clan. This being a Barolo thread, has anybody come across this producer or know anything about them.

Regarding this wine, a 2011 Virna Barolo (14.5%), my comment on another forum was: "Barely over seven years old this is drinking very well, medium-bodied with a silky texture and fine tannins. There is a dry, savoury quality to the wine, a black plum note mixed in with a herbal, almost bitter note that I ascribe to the light tannins and astringency. The alcohol level appears high but isn't at all apparent. In fact, had I not read the fine print on the back label, I would have guessed it to be under 13%. A very pleasant drop and one I will revisit."

Cheers ......... Mahmoud.

Hi Mahmoud
I have seen the wine in Piemonte and also recall seeing the winery on google maps when planning a trip, but I don't think I've tasted any of their wines and didn't visit them.
Regards
Ian

Elio Grasso Rüncot Riserva 2008 - holding up well on day 2 with leather and dried white mulberry starting to show. The length and perfume aren't as wonderful as I recall from yesterday.

Haven't tried the 2008 but their two Cru Barolos outstanding

Ian S wrote:Hi Mahmoud
I have seen the wine in Piemonte and also recall seeing the winery on google maps when planning a trip, but I don't think I've tasted any of their wines and didn't visit them.

Thanks Ian. I've sinced seen the Virna Borgogno website and it is quite reader friendly. Apparently the United States is one of their biggest market. At first I was concerned about the 2011 vintage but checking further, it seems that it is an early drinking vintage (not a bad thing considering some of our advancing age) and has turned out better than expected. Decanter writer Ian D'Agata reckons that the variability of the 2011 vintage favours, in the main, generic Barolo instead of the site specific ones. Made for interesting reading.

Mahmoud.

Mahmoud Ali wrote:

Ian S wrote:Hi Mahmoud
I have seen the wine in Piemonte and also recall seeing the winery on google maps when planning a trip, but I don't think I've tasted any of their wines and didn't visit them.

Thanks Ian. I've sinced seen the Virna Borgogno website and it is quite reader friendly. Apparently the United States is one of their biggest market. At first I was concerned about the 2011 vintage but checking further, it seems that it is an early drinking vintage (not a bad thing considering some of our advancing age) and has turned out better than expected. Decanter writer Ian D'Agata reckons that the variability of the 2011 vintage favours, in the main, generic Barolo instead of the site specific ones. Made for interesting reading.

Mahmoud.

+1 to 2011 in Piedmont. It's such an approachable vintage now. I've tasted a couple 2011 Barolo's in my wine groups this year. Both were such a joy to drink.

Elio Grasso Barolo Ginestra Casa Maté
Giuseppe E Figlio Mascarello Barolo Monprivato

I opened these for quaffing.

Couple of things here, firstly, Brezza is a frustrating producer according to locals. They can make great wine one year and sub-par next. I hosted a lunch with a Sarmassa / Cannubi theme en magnum at the winery a few years ago and I did feel there was a widespread lack of attention to detail.

And 2012. An average vintage I didn't buy ( except compulsory allocation buys ) - the vintage will always be around on wine lists and discounted at retail! The wines below were priced smartly.

Brezza Nebbiolo 2014- House quaffer and in glass closure! Consistently wild and fruit-pungent with vibrant florals and red raspberry fruit. At the bottom end of medium weight. Pretty palate dance; very clean and durable.

89pts

Brezza Sarmassa Barolo 2012- Starts clean with dried flowers and red fruits with a baseline of fresh tar. Integrates aromatically over the days toward a riper and typical nebbiolo amalgam of darker fruit. Palate has a good line of austerity and sour cherry fruit which deepen with aeration; tannin evenly spreads with good grippiness. Perhaps little heat spike emerging.

91pts


Brezza Castellero Barolo 2012- Red potpourri florals with sweet and dry herbs. Very elegant and easy going in the mouth- performing like a good Langhe nebbiolo in its understated manner. Perhaps a few years will see more powerful fruit emergence! Tannins are sandy fine- like the loams of Casterello.

88pts


Brezza Barolo 2012- Quite a lean impression of Barolo. There's leather, citrus/tar and wild herbs. Menthol-berry and some cherry notes - hard to get the wine right and comfortable on the palate- with a consistent bitterness in unripe tannin.

85pts







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JamieBahrain wrote:I opened these for quaffing.

Couple of things here, firstly, Brezza is a frustrating producer according to locals. They can make great wine one year and sub-par next. I hosted a lunch with a Sarmassa / Cannubi theme en magnum at the winery a few years ago and I did feel there was a widespread lack of attention to detail.

And 2012. An average vintage I didn't buy ( except compulsory allocation buys ) - the vintage will always be around on wine lists and discounted at retail! The wines below were priced smartly.

Brezza Nebbiolo 2014- House quaffer and in glass closure! Consistently wild and fruit-pungent with vibrant florals and red raspberry fruit. At the bottom end of medium weight. Pretty palate dance; very clean and durable.

89pts

Brezza Sarmassa Barolo 2012- Starts clean with dried flowers and red fruits with a baseline of fresh tar. Integrates aromatically over the days toward a riper and typical nebbiolo amalgam of darker fruit. Palate has a good line of austerity and sour cherry fruit which deepen with aeration; tannin evenly spreads with good grippiness. Perhaps little heat spike emerging.

91pts


Brezza Castellero Barolo 2012- Red potpourri florals with sweet and dry herbs. Very elegant and easy going in the mouth- performing like a good Langhe nebbiolo in its understated manner. Perhaps a few years will see more powerful fruit emergence! Tannins are sandy fine- like the loams of Casterello.

88pts


Brezza Barolo 2012- Quite a lean impression of Barolo. There's leather, citrus/tar and wild herbs. Menthol-berry and some cherry notes - hard to get the wine right and comfortable on the palate- with a consistent bitterness in unripe tannin.

85pts







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Thanks for the notes, Jamie. I've got 3 bottles in the cellar -- 2008 Sarmassa and 2010 Cannubi & Sarmassa. Any comments on those vintages? Wasn't planning on opening them for many years.

I have had a 2010 Cannubi (At the Bezzera restaurant) and it was a great wine that should go the distance.

2010 and 2008 are pretty smart. 2008 will drink or hold.

Hooking in to Brezza you'll see they can be all over the place. An $8 2014 Langhe nebbiolo is convincingly a better wine than their 2012 Barolo normale below.

Always a cautious purchase for me. I found this note below from a few years ago. Got a deal on their riserva magnums- by the time I'd shipped and tried ( my Brezza policy I guess ) the wine had gone. Never mind- always great Barolo available somewhere!




Brezza Sarmassa Vigna Bricco Riserva 2009 en magnum- I organized a Cannubi versus Sarmassa lunch at Brezza's restaurant a few years ago, which looked great on paper but fell away somewhat in preparation. Warm restaurant, without air-conditioning and the concept of putting your wine in the fridge for 15 minutes, measures the same sacrilege locally, as milk in your coffee after breakfast ! Shame. It's all in the preparation and I often wonder how, with all the ceremony you see in a Piedmontese sommelier rinsing glasses with a splash Barolo, how elemental yet critical techniques are missed.

Sarmassa ( across the road literally from Barolo proper and Cannubi ) can produce wonderful wines though there are a number of micro-climates and slopes affecting quality. Brezza' riserva is from an area where the snow melts first and has a good aspect being from a higher part of the Cru.

Consumed over two days, with the first showing plush and inviting fruit of the vintage and with extended aeration, slow cooked meats were required to tame the structure and fill the palate austerity. Pure cherry essence notes poke from within classic darker notes; fennel, light Alpine menthol and minerals are in the play too. Structurally long and fine-boned, silty tannins draw out the long finish, with shy fruit evenly throughout, mirroring the aromatics and offering the typical numerous vinous experiences in one bottle - when consuming youthful Barolo over a number of days.

An on again, off again producer according to the local "conosceres", often making great wine in crap vintages and vicky-verka! Anyways, infanticide to some, but for me I needed to look at this wine to consider a further purchase as there's a bit of it in magnum at good prices in the UK that can fill out my regular orders.

93pts+





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I thought the Giaconda was a 2013 so thought I'd put it up against something from Piedmont 2013 for fun. Now I'm a big supporter of Australia in a lot of areas, but paying what you do for Giaconda nebbiolo, puts it beyond Cru Barbaresco consistently in price!


Giaconda Nebbiolo 2012- This presents resolute and serious. Red and black fruits, in an Australian spectrum of ripeness ( not overripe at all just the distinctly different ripening profiles I note when directly comparing variatals in the differing hemispheres ) with a smokey, spicy and resin like aromatic base. Next day there's a clear VA lift to the aromatics delivering discernibly pure and lifting cherry/plum and boiled red lolly notes. Long and well polished by the winemaker, notably classy and cherry and bitter cherry are carried by the high acidity where the finish is gently oak crafted and dry.

I'll leave two more of these in my cellar for 10+ years and see what happens.

92pts


Giacomo Borgogno & Figli "No Name" 2013- I'm going to leave three of these for long term cellaring as they are for all intents and purposes a political protest and may as well be Cannubi Barolo.

Over a few nights it was consistent as per previous tastings. Overall silky and forthcoming in a classical sense where in Italy its more about structure and presence than upfront fruit character. Aeration helps- taming pronounced tar, a mineral tang and grippy tannin, eventually delivering an understated class and comfortable "Barolo" expereince.

91pts+


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Back in winter I rated the No-Name much higher.

Stinking hot and humid out here in Hong Kong now- Darwin like! Aircons powering but drying the palate and hiking most days in the heat, by night I'm dehydrated and nebbiolo isn't the best wine I guess.


Borgogno "NO NAME " 2013- I love Italian politics when it delivers a protest bottle of Barolo for $20 AUD ! And to top it off fruit is from Cru sites such as Cannubi.

Concentrated scents of tar and dark roses. Classical and almost old fashioned, however, the fruit is in a purity perhaps not always seen in the old days. Showing the vintage with a completeness of the front and middle palates, in trail there's some aggression in acidity and tannin needing time. Sour red fruits, red rose and clean medicinal flavour persistence.

93pts+

Some great wines at at Barolo vs. Barbaresco themed function last night at one of my wine groups. No formal notes taken. Every single wine was a joy to drink. All tasted blind.

1999 Fontanafredda Barolo Vigna La Rosa
2013 Ca' del Baio Barbaresco Asili
2010 Ceretto Barolo
2010 Benevelli Piero Barolo Ravera
2007 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Le Rocche del Falletto di Serralunga d'Alba
2004 Gaja Barbaresco
2013 Roagna Barbaresco Vecchie Viti Pajé
2010 Barale Fratelli Serraboella Barbaresco
2015 Cavallotto Barolo Bricco Boschis

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