The Barolo / Barbaresco / Nebbiolo thread

[JamieBahrain]

What's missing and what's lauded and what the author likes.

As an enthusiast and regular visitor to the region I think it's a very good book and easier to read than some of the more drab efforts past.

[dave vino]

Excellent reference and you can get a feel of each Barolo or Barbaresco communes, history ( so so important but lost on the vinous technocrats ), wines and soil types. As a beginner a great book though slightly controversial amongst the seriously obsessed!

I have the dead tree version of said book, have read through all the general chapters and am around half way through all the producers. Curious to hear which elements are somewhat controversial among those in the know?

I'm a third of the way through the Brunello version of her book. Very easy read and gives you a great insight into the area (I have the Barolo one as well and will read that afterwards). Really chuffed to have experienced the 1955 Biondi Santi Riserva which is thought to have kick-started the modern renaissance/popularity of Brunello after it was served to the Queen at a dinner. It is amazing how much Montalcino owes the Biondi Santi family over the centuries.

I was a bit reluctant to get the Kindle version as I thought there might be colour photos/maps etc. But in hindsight there isn't anything that a Kindle couldn't show, so I'd probably get the Kindle one if doing it again. Books are smallish in size and not the hefty tomes I was expecting.

[rmack]

thanks so much for the advice, will make a huge difference to our time there i'm sure. I have a soft spot for Monforte because we spent some time there a little while back and loved it.

i'm spending a few nights in Milano to attend the Simei conference first up, any tips for restaurants or wine bars to check out whilst i'm there?

Thanks again

Rob

[Ian S]

Rob
Sorry, my only experience of Milano was a day trip where I really didn't take to the place. That said:

Peck remains fun in the same way that Fortnum & Mason can be fun. Expensive, but with impressive choice. Certainly well worth a stroll around the greengrocer section, to find some more unusual fruit & veg. The wine section might be a worth a look, but IMO it's the best - and hence the worst - sort of wine shop. The best because the biggest / greatest names are stocked. The worst because this quickly becomes dull, as there is nothing much that you'll not already be aware of.

Away from personal reccos, I do like the Duemilavini (aka Bibenda wine) listing for restaurants and wine bars - it's published by the sommeliers association, so tends to list places where wine is a big part of the experience. Plenty listed:
Enoteche (where you can usually find really good lighter meals): Boccondivino, La Cantina di Manuela (chain of 3), 'N Ombra de Vin, Ricerca Vini, Viola.

I've picked out a couple of the restaurants with big wine lists : Ristorante Cracco (1800 labels), Ristorante Joia (1000 labels)

but local advice would be the way to go for good food, as Italians care greatly about it, so compare notes regularly.

[rmack]

thanks again Ian, much appreciated. will follow up on those leads.

Cheers

Rob

[Chris H]

Rob, if you like Brunello, Osteria Brunello is good if you are in that part of Milan.

[JamieBahrain]

Wish you guys would do some drinking?


Roagna Barbaresco Montefico Vecchie Vigne 2007- Open for business. Very elegant, yet powerful wine it captures the purity of Roagna's vineyards with wild florals and mint leaf, lovely autumnal complexity mixing it up with tar and red berries. Very long wine, quite big and frankly, it's what I wish more 07 Barolos were like. Excellent.

[winetastic]

Wish you guys would do some drinking?

Just about over a long lasting head cold, will be back on the Nebbiolo train soon.

Also there has been a big delay receiving my Cigliuti Langhe Nebbiolo 2012... apparently the auction site had a complete logistics meltdown.

I see GW gave a big thumbs up to the Benevelli Langhe Neb 2014 today as well, so will have to snag some of those (for scientific research reasons of course).

[swirler]

So....Where do we stand on traditional vs modern? Is traditional the 'right' way? Or too cellar time-demanding? Or does it 'depend'?

I don't see many people admitting to being fans of the modernists. Personally, though, I find some of the old school stuff a bit hard work when young (when I get to taste many of them.) Obviously, with age they can change considerably.

[JamieBahrain]

So....Where do we stand on traditional vs modern? Is traditional the 'right' way? Or too cellar time-demanding? Or does it 'depend'?

I don't see many people admitting to being fans of the modernists. Personally, though, I find some of the old school stuff a bit hard work when young (when I get to taste many of them.) Obviously, with age they can change considerably.

It's complicated. For instance, I'd consider Gaja now more traditionalist than a modernist. The simple modern versus traditional no longer really applies.

[swirler]

So I guess that's a 'depends'

What would be the biggest turn off? Noticeable oak flavours?

[Ian S]

Hi Jamie
Fair comment - here's a semi-random selection of TNs I've put into CT in the last couple of years (I've been a bit slack in writing TNs over that time). There will be plenty of names new to an Aussie audience, even those committed to the nebbiolo grape, but a few well-known names in there as well.

Meanwhile as to Modernist vs. Traditionalist. Times have to a degree moved on, and sensible winemakers have tasted & talked & learnt. There isn't a clear battle-line any more, and a much wider spread in the middle ground. It's harder to bracket simply in Modernist or Traditionalist.

Personally I remain traditionalist-leaning. I like where the good/lucky traditional wines end up after 30-40 (or more) years. I have moderate doubts about whether new barrique oak will integrate fully, but greater doubts that making wines more approachable in youth, results in a shortened lifespan and the wines never reaching the potential they may have attained. Pure speculation / opinion of course. There are plenty of modernist-leaning / middle ground producers I like - Mauro Molino for instance, just a few paces from the high priest of Modernist winemaking - Elio Altare. I'm more inclined to drink these wines in relative youth (12-20 years), though with multiple bottles, it's possible to stretch the window out to see what happens.

• 1971 Giacomo Borgogno & Figli Barolo Riserva - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (29/12/2012)
  The cork was crumbly, yet had kept the wine in place, however the wine had lost a lot of colour. On pouring a watery red core, with significant banding to a pale orange rim.
  On the nose earthy mushroom points to a wine that's long gone, yet there is a touch of sweetness that invites a taste.
  ... and actually considering the nose, the palate is decent with the sweet decaying taste of old nebbiolo still holding out remarkably well leading to a sweet-tangy finish with faint residual tannins and just a hint of that earthiness at the end.
  
  Well past best, but actually still enjoyable on the palate... and yet with 30-60 mins breathing, the worst excesses of the earthy mushroom die off and what's left is juicy-sweet, tangy and ethereal. Another good example of not rushing to too quick a judgement.
  
• 1996 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco (19/01/2013)
  Very fragrant on opening, despite being rather cold.
  Rather a dull red colour with a noticeable band of orange/brown at the rim. Reasonable depth to the colour though.
  As it's warming up, and with a little coaxing, it appears to be true to type. Nicely high-toned, with decent cherry-led fruit, but also with a hint of mushroom and some appealing fennel.
  The palate is light bodied, except for soft, but persistent 'lurking' tannins, which along with refreshing acidity, give it a clear backbone. The fruit is less noticeable than on the nose and overall it feels a little closed.
  OK with a little more time it really is opening out now, with some fruit sweetness coming through to help flesh it out and the acidity leaving a pleasing tangy finish.
  
• 1999 Marchesi di Barolo Barolo Riserva Grande Annata - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (01/03/2013)
  Appropriate depth (medium-light) to the claret-red colour and a surprisingly narrow band of brick-colour at the rim.
  A touch fumey on the nose but with supporting tar and bright red fruits. Overall quite attractive. It's quite striking though, how the fragrance starts to really open out as the (burgundy) glass is reduced to the last couple of sips - really showing a vibrant floral side to the wine.
  
  Really quite approachable on the palate, as although there are still tannins, they're relatively soft/fine grained. Fruit and acidity both present and correct but neither seeking the foreground. There's a hint of straw on the reasonably long finish.
  Overall pretty good and pretty correct. On a bad day you'd call it somewhat humdrum, on a good day you'd declare fine balance and typicity.
  No rush to drink up and 5-10 years more may bring additional complexity - if that emerging floral aspect to the nose is a fair hint at what might emerge.
  
• 2001 Miru Ghemme Vigna Cavenago - Italy, Piedmont, Northern Piedmont, Ghemme (01/04/2013)
  Showing plenty of maturity in the claret/mahogany colour. The nose is attractive with some subtle fruit, earthiness and a little smoked meat. Light-medium bodied palate, with red fruits and a touch of that meatiness. Acidity is tangy/refreshing and the tannins are still a little firm, but they aren't preventing the mature sweet/savoury elements coming through on the finish.
• 2004 Ioppa Ghemme - Italy, Piedmont, Northern Piedmont, Ghemme (16/04/2013)
  Showing a little age at the rim, but for the region/blend, this is arguably quite young looking - and so it is on nose and palate.
  
  The nose is still somewhat (red) fruity but bookended by some subtle fuminess (with a little smoke), plus some background more earthy aromas.
  
  On the palate it's true to type with firm tannic grip, but the fruit is a little more vibrant / easy going than the norm. I'm guessing there might be decent amount of vespolina in the blend as the fruit profile matches that more than nebbiolo.
  
  So overall a little more easy going in the fruit than most of the Ghemme's I've tasted, but judged on it's own merits (rather than comparison) it works really well and would even work as a summer's day red, or a really smart choice for a barbecue (but also as a nice 'weekday' red with food.
  
  Should last well from here - I'd be confident of it holding/improving for another 5+ years
  
• 2008 Cascina Ballarin Langhe Nebbiolo - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC (10/11/2013)
  Pale claret colour with some signs of age at the rim.
  Nose is slightly subdued with a balsamic, faintly medicinal quality, but swirling reveals a more rounded yet complex nose, brining in a little more cherry fruit, undergrowth, aniseed and old-fashioned shoe polish.
  
  The palate is indeed light in body, but with soft yet refreshing fruit and moderately grippy tannins. Nice balance to this and very much a 'baby Barolo' as against a simple fruity nebbiolo. A good wine, very good at the price.
  
  To my mind the best value in their range, each vintage we've tried has really impressed on the nose, an earlier vintage giving off a faint whiff of truffles.
  
• 1998 Poderi Aldo Conterno Barolo Bussia Soprana - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (02/02/2014)
  8 years on from the previous bottle, where the astringency made me concerned whether the fruit would hold out. Well it has, and the tannins are relatively soft now.
  The nose is true to the grape with the commonly used 'tar and roses' however there is also a savoury element (mushroom/coffee) that would worry me for the future. At the moment the fruit/fragrance supports it, but assuming it comes to the fore, would detract from the wine.
  Good complexity on the palate (with coffee joining the more usual profile) and still with firm, slightly tart acidity. Tannins have indeed softened to the point that they almost soften the texture. Good length to the finish.
  Overall, good but not great, and it feels like a difficult wine to judge when to open. At the current prices, I can't see me buying again.
  
• 1998 Cantina del Pino Barbaresco Ovello - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco (24/12/2014)
  Still a good depth of colour (for nebbiolo that is) but not having sat this upright, the fine sediment is slightly dulling the colour.
  
  Wonderful nose of (xmas?) cinnamon spiced oranges and earth/truffle & chocolate, laid over subtle cherry fruit and some tar. A nose to linger over.
  
  On the palate there is darker cherry fruit leads with a little tar and spice. Still fresh acidity makes this still much better with food than without, and the tannins aren't obtrusive, though still remain and somewhat dry the wine out on the finish.
  
  There is enough there to suggest that further cellaring (5-10 years) could prove useful.
  
• 2001 AR.PE.PE. Valtellina Superiore - Sassella Riserva Rocce Rosse - Italy, Lombardia, Valtellina, Valtellina Superiore - Sassella (07/03/2015)
  Shockingly light coloured compared to modern-day Barolo/Barbaresco. Some floral interest on the nose but maybe not the best match to Venison as I think the lightness might make Pork, Chicken or Guinea-fowl a better match. Not huge complexity but more interest than just a 'lighter nebbiolo' and on another night I might be singing it's praises for having a lightness and poise that sometimes gets lost in Barolo & Barbaresco.
  
• 2011 Cascina Saria Nebbiolo d'Alba La Riddolina - Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Nebbiolo d'Alba (27/06/2015)
  Pale colour with a red-claret core, browning a little at the rim.
  Lovely nose that would pass for a Barbaresco for most people, with good perfume along with orange/red fruit. Light on it's feet on the palate, with some tannic grip (but in the context of the grand wines of the region - on the light side). There is still that delicate sweetness of the fruit on the palate, and being built quite light, this is really quite refreshing with acidity that supports well.
  
  This really is a charmer, and at the price, a steal.
• 1996 Poderi Luigi Einaudi Barolo Nei Cannubi - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (11/07/2015)
  Relatively youthful claret-red colour of decent depth. Not much age showing at the rim.
  
  Spicy & wood/smoke edged on the nose, but with rich fruit sitting below. Swirling brings it into a more appealing balance.
  
  Still some structure on the palate with firm acidity and residual yet still grippy tannins. Lither red fruits still in good shape and some aged complexity emerging. Overall not a big wine, though the remaining structure still makes it a little tight. Must have been quite a beast 5-10 years ago.
  
  The future? Still good prospects and I might hold off opening another for a couple of years.
  
• 2008 Vinicola L.A. Cetto Nebbiolo Private Reserve - Mexico, Baja California, Valle de Guadalupe (25/07/2015)
  A bit of a punt into the vinous unknown...
  The wine has plenty of depth/youth to the colour - very much more purple than say a typical Italian Nebbiolo, and with no hint of orange at the rim.
  
  Youthful, but varietally correct on the nose, though on opening it was a little muted, but opened up with a cherry-accented creosote-like aspect (not dissimilar to some new vintage Barbaresco/Barolo).
  
  On the palate, there is a noticeable silkiness to the palate, along with leather, that initially overpowered the fruit making it a little broad, but the fruit did emerge, and the acid is just about the level I'd want o ensure it remained refreshing and lifted it away from blandness. Chunky tannins add to a rather 'four-square' impression. This would be worth trying to cellar a little longer, though the balance for success in doing so isn't certain to me.
  
  Overall a very creditable effort, especially considering the price. I've certainly tasted many Langhe Nebbiolo wines that were less interesting than this.
  
  As the tannins are still a little chunky, I'd lean towards red meat / BBQ to go with this.
  
• 2011 Cascina Saria Nebbiolo d'Alba La Riddolina - Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Nebbiolo d'Alba (13/09/2015)
  Lovely balsamic nose with a hint of aniseed/plum sauce, backed by light but bright red fruits.
  
  A little more reserved on the palate, but does open out on the finish. Lightweight tannins, but enough to give a little grip and the faintest touch of bitterness. Acidity refreshing but not overpowering.
  
  Really impressed by these, and it's the closest we've got to ever having a 'house wine'

[dingozegan]

So....Where do we stand on traditional vs modern? Is traditional the 'right' way? Or too cellar time-demanding? Or does it 'depend'?

It's complicated. For instance, I'd consider Gaja now more traditionalist than a modernist. The simple modern versus traditional no longer really applies.

Still prefer the more traditional style, although I agree that there's more in-between than there used to be (styles aren't so disparate).

So I guess that's a 'depends'
What would be the biggest turn off? Noticeable oak flavours?

Definitely, although ripe fruit flavours and very soft tannins would also be high on a list of 'modern' turn-offs.

[Chris H]

Noticeable oak for me is the turn-off. Nebbiolo has enough tannin without oak being any more than a supporting background player. I have noticed with enough age some of the oak often tends to blend in, but I don't necessarily want to age a wine so long before that happens.

[via collins]

Dining in Milan? A wise man said to me in 2005, "Mate, I could blindfold you, send you out that door, and you wouldn't eat badly."

Nothing I have ever experienced there in 10 years has proved him incorrect. A few favourites:

JOIA - high end vegetarian with exceptional wine matches all through the menu - gets mixed reviews - I've been three times, every time has been 10/10: http://www.joia.it/

I MALAVOGLIA - where I learnt that the best seafood in Sicily is shipped directly to Milan - classic, sophisticated, tasty as all get out - http://www.ristorante-imalavoglia.com/

OSTERIA DEL TRENO - run for the railway workers near Centrale, what lucky workers they are! I eat here every time I visit: http://www.osteriadeltreno.it/?lang=en

TRATTORIA DA ABELE - my very first introduction to no nonsense neighbour-hood trattoria food and interaction and staff eager to show off what they do best. Rustic, every moment in there has been a happy one - cash only : http://www.trattoriadaabele.it/

That's off the top of my head, there are dozens of places I've eaten well at in Milan.

Really, nobody does it better...

[Chris H]

Had these at a wine group dinner last night :

1986 Prunotto Barbaresco Montefestano
Amazing condition, I thought this was years younger. Mid red colour. Aromatic and complex dried cherry, leather and tobacco on the nose. Refined and elegant, archetypal Barbaresco. Great drinking.

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2005 Aldo Conterno Barolo Colonello
Youthful ruby-red. Perfumed red fruits, liquorice and new leather to smell. Lovely drinking with soft tannins, and superb red fruits. I was surprised how approachable this was - assume the relatively forward vintage was the reason.

2004 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Montefico
Quite deep red colour for nebbiolo. Powerful, earthy red fruits and quite tannic still. A product of the top vintage, consistent with 2004's from other Produttori vineyards I have had. Ideally needing some more time.

1997 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Asili
Mid red. a contrast to the previous wine, this was open for business. Dried cherries, tobacco, leather and earth. Softly astringent with plenty of mid palate fruit.

2000 E. Pira & Figli (Chiara Boschis) Barolo Cannubi
Deep red. Dark chocoloate, earth and tannins (both fruit and oak) envelope the fruit. Still tannic and needs some more time.

2007 Roagna Barolo Le Coste
Bright red fruits, an elegant and eminently drinkable Barolo already. Tannins are there but not aggressive and the oak is in a supporting role only.

[Mivvy]

2010 G.D. Vajra Barolo Ravera opened up on day 2 (day 1 was just a taste and recork as it was impenetrable) - enough to show its quality but likely to only show its true potential in another 10 years or so. This seems to be typical of the other 2010 Barolo that I have had.

[swirler]

Mivvy, using fairly traditional methods doesn't help in making (relatively) approachable wines.......

[JamieBahrain]

I had the 2010 Mascarello Barolo & Cavallotto Bricco Boschis recently and incredibly approachable. I have the 2010 Cappellanos on the tasting bench so I will come back to the thread soon.

[Mivvy]

Interesting about the Cavallotto B/B. I tried the 2008 a couple of months ago which wasn't showing much. I had been reading that many of the 2008 wines were relatively open - even for the more traditional producers - which tempted me to open one.

Mivvy, using fairly traditional methods doesn't help in making (relatively) approachable wines.......

Sure, it wasn't totally unexpected - its always good to get through a few bottles of these wines in their youth to get a sense of the vintage and/or producer style before buying. I find it easier to do this with Barolo/Barbaresco given that they don;t tend to sell out immediately like Burgundy and there is usually a decent amount of back vintage wine available. I like what I have had from 2010 and will now start to try some 2011's.

[swirler]

Good points. Tough work, though, with young, backward Barolo!

[Chris H]

2010 G.D. Vajra Barolo Ravera opened up on day 2...

Mivvy, I just twigged when re-reading your post. Vajra is situated in Barolo, and as far as I know only make two Barolos - Albe (a blend) and Bricco Della Viole ?

[Mivvy]

The Ravera is a fairly recent addition to their Cru bottlings - 2010 being first vintage. Previously the grapes went into the Langhe Nebbiolo due to the age of the vines - not sure if it was blended with other grapes for that bottling.

[JamieBahrain]

Mivvy Barolo 2008 versus 2010 is chalk and cheese. The difference has been dramatic for me recently and the Cavallotto Bricco Boschis is no better example with the 2010 stylistically out of this world.

That said, 2008 is really growing on me and as a vintage and looks a cheap backfill as the Piedmontese are finding B&B not as in demand beyond and before 2010 as they'd hoped (or hyped ).

Just cracked the two Marcarini single vineyard Barolos from 2008 with La Serra looking pretty and open and the muscly Brunate starting to flex. Will report further.

[JamieBahrain]

Marcarini is very well priced Barolo and I've had their wines back to the sixties with consistency and they maintain a traditional process with the terroir of La Morra presenting an approachable style. Often south of $50 they are true bargains of the wine world providing cerebral interest and consistency.

Marcarini Barolo La Serra 2008- The vineyard is just above Brunate and is later ripening providing a contrasting perfumed and feminine Barolo.

Popped and poured, beautiful fragrance, with dark sour cherries prominent and encompassing licorice, pepper and menthol notes and a slight VA lift. Intense yet refined on the palate, redder fruit spectrum and an evolved fruit sweetness that makes for a more intricate varietal austerity. Fruit tannin build the finish. Well stored I can not see the issue with a very long cellaring and I put six pack confidently away.

92pts+



Marcarini Barolo Brunate 2008- Darker and decidedly masculine, old barrel plank wood, muscular tar and cocoa lending toward the prune spectrum though the wine aromatically freshens with later and mingling alpine herbs. Still in evolution though we are not engaged in infanticide. Full bodied and loaded with fruit flavors, including morello cherry and tar with gripping tobacco and fierce, iron bar tannins.

I do wonder on some of the thought placing limits La Morra for strategic cellaring- traditional Brunate will last forever and walking these vineyards over the years you are a stone's throw from greater Cannubi with Brunate's overlap into Barolo. No brainer and like La Serre, have put a six pack away though the other six are a little tougher propositions now than La Serra is.

93pts+

[Ian S]

Jamie
WRT your cellaring question, we do seems to see this differently, with me generally preferring much longer ageing. So the answer must be taken on that basis.

For Marcarini, they do age well, whether La Serra or Brunate. Yes Brunate is generally viewed as the more structured, less perfumed wine, but La Serra will still last very well. Personally I seem to prefer Brunate, but that may be as much idealogical as sensory - I like cellaring wine and I value those built for that task. I would buy a 20-30 year old La Serra with confidence, and a Brunate from the same year with fractionally more confidence.

More generally, in terms of vintages:
1980s A gaping hole in my experience. I've had a good few 60s & 70s wines from Langhe and the north, but somehow I seemed to backfill the really old stuff, but not the 1980s
1991-94 Risky, but I've had success with 1993s
1995 Lean, sometimes mean, but worth a punt if the price is right
1996 Mostly still sleeping, some are approachable, but I'm not rushing these
1997 I've finished what I bought, but success rate modest, so would only backfill if I saw a great price on a traditionally made wine
1998 A bit under the radar (as is 2008) and there has been good value and they've followed a nice steady development, so generally plenty of life left
1999 Perhaps a little easier than the 1998s, but little to choose quality wise
2000 Many seemed to stay approachable & a good restaurant choice. I'm expecting them to start the downslope relatively soon, but I've not yet seen evidence of that
2001 Not too much experience, but a well-regarded vintage
2002 Most was declassified or not produced. I've enjoyed what I've tasted - though this is very much at the light/lean end of the scale
2003 and then it's opposite occurred. I'm very wary of this vintage in the Langhe - there are good wines, but even the best are warmer and more forward. The worst are baked and soupy. Marcarini Brunate was one I recall as very good, and it was perhaps a year to go for the more austere producers/sites. Conversely up in Gattinara/Ghemme and around, everything I've tasted has been excellent with just a little extra oomph. Global warming might be the (re)making of the Nortern regions
2004/2005 Again not much experience - the latter less well-received critically.
2006 My style of vintage. Structured and (I believe) built for the long haul
2007 More open, warmer but I've not encountered baked wines. Not held in particularly high regard but generally very enjoyable drinking and might be like the 2000s and not really close down
2008 mentioned above
2009 Not too much experience, but with highs and lows. a bit warm, but not baked
2010 Again a little variable (belying the huge hype that Galloni put on it - he learnt something from Parker ). The best do appear to be very good indeed though, but IMO not a vintage where the wine 'just made itself' (sic.)
2011 Will suffer for following 2010s hype, but Barbaresco seems to have done very well indeed
2012 Concerning TNs appearing and what few langhe nebbiolo wines I've had give serious cause for concern
2013 Very little experience, but cautiously hopeful
2014 No idea
2015 No idea, but we were in the region for harvest and there were decisions to be made about picking early or hoping for the drying winds after the heavy rain (it did thankfully dry out quickly). Most producers appears to be hedging their bets, but there was quite a lot of traffic on that night before the heavens opened.
2016 No idea

regards
Ian

[Ian S]

p.s. like the Enogea map backdrop

[rooman]

Ian

thank you for an excellent post. Its been a while since you were here. I am glad however to see you are still alive and sharing the knowledge around the forums.

Cheers
Mark

[Chris H]

Ian

2004 good in the style of 2006. Cellaring vintage.
2014 wet and I think many will declassify.

[Ian S]

Chris
Many thanks for that. If 2014 ends up similar to 2002, then some declassifications can result in some excellent langhe nebbiolo / nebbiolo d'alba (though also some poor ones!). I've only 2 2004s in the cellar and one 2005 - not because I dislike either vintage, but we were spending holidays elsewhere in Italy (Emilia-Romagna & Campania IIRC) when those vintages were being sold. 2006/7/8 are much better represented, especially due to us driving there and testing the car's suspension out on the return journey!

Mark
Those are very kind words. Thank you.
It has indeed been a while away. I left in a huff, but time moves on and this was a thread that gave me the encouragement to post again, so thanks to Murray for that.

regards
Ian