The Auswine Forum

It was an actioned packed few months planned for the first few months of the NY with many Piedmont winemakers visiting and a number of amazing dinners. Most cancelled due the virus north of us.




HKWS Barolo Tasting 1970-71

Location: Giando Restaurant, 1, Star Street, Admiralty.
Date: February 13 (Thursday)

***************

This is the 2nd of the last 5 tastings I will be hosting for the HKWS – all drawn from my ‘stash’ of mature Barolos ( Nigel collection ) . Again, we have some very familiar names from the formative years of Barolo: Giacomo Conterno, Renato Ratti, Marcarini, Burlotto, Barale, F.Rinaldi, Oddero, Sobrero. As with the 1950s, when these wines were made there was no talk of modern vs traditional winemaking - even the 1982 Scavino dinner wine was made in the tranditional style, before he went 'modern'. Note: there will be 2 Barbarescos on show, including the Produttori's Ovello cru. One bonus of stretching to 2 adjacent vintages is the rare chance to taste 2 of the wines from both 1970 and 1971 vintages: the Marcarini and the Ratti.

Tasting Wines– not to be served in this order
Giacomo Conterno Barolo 1970
Marcarini Brunate Barolo 1970
Renato Ratti, Barolo Marcenasco 1970
Barale Fratelli Vendemmia Barolo 1971
Burlotto Barolo Riserva Speciale Verduno 1971
Filippo Sobrero, Barolo 1971
Fransceco Rinaldi, Barolo 1971
Marcarini Brunate Barolo 1971
Marchesi di Barolo, Barolo 1971
Oddero, La Morra, Barbaresco 1971
Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Ovello ‘Cavalieri del Tartufo’ 1971
Renato Ratti Barolo Marcenasco 1971

Dinner wines

Giacomo Conterno Barolo 1970
Burlotto Barolo Riserva Speciale Verduno 1971
Paolo Scavino, Bric Del Fiasc, Barolo 1982


[url=https://postimg.cc/yDbQHPjf][img]https://i.postimg.cc/W42Q0YkP/B4499561-21-E4 ... 7-B2-D.jpg[/img][/url]

[url=https://postimg.cc/Lqgy610m][img]https://i.postimg.cc/FKDwpbyk/AE9-E24-C4-C98 ... -E4-C1.jpg[/img][/url]

Tasting Wines-

Damilano Barolo 1971- Pleasant allure of rose, leather and truffles in a dark scented mix. Tertiary development shows rhubarb and smoked sausage. Palate is very long, showing austerity without food, though once with food, well-weighted dar extractwith a freshening persistence of powedery cocoa/tar.

91pts

[url=https://postimg.cc/bZW7T87N][img]https://i.postimg.cc/bZW7T87N/C36-BC6-B5-B14 ... 396-D3.jpg[/img][/url]


Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Ovello ‘Cavalieri del Tartufo’ 1971- Special bottling for the Knights of the Truffle. Sadly, despite Ovello's longevity, this was marked by excessive VA, delivering near syrupy cherry, ornage peels and walnut. Ends up too sherried for positive comments

NR

[url=https://postimg.cc/56GKcgns][img]https://i.postimg.cc/MpZCQrRJ/362-C2767-9127 ... FB4-A3.jpg[/img][/url]


Burlotto Barolo Riserva Speciale Verduno 1971- Never had this before! Wonder how much Monvigliero in it? Certainly presented as classic Verduno fruit in better dinner bottles.

Leather, lifted stewed cherry in clay minerals.Beautifully long and elegant, completely resolved, gently stewy red fruits stick on the palate edges, dusty old plank wood finish.

90pts

[url=https://postimg.cc/t1zzgNNQ][img]https://i.postimg.cc/g0CtNMwJ/C22-F50-EA-E84 ... 07-D43.jpg[/img][/url]

Filippo Sobrero Barolo 1971- Amongst the old time Barolo drinkers, this is a bit of a cult wine. Can be extraordinary! I visited them a few years back and its a pretty rusty experience.

Old sweet fruits, worn, menthol and brown spices. Holds nicely- very delicate- lingering spices.

93pts


[url=https://postimg.cc/4K49WkVq][img]https://i.postimg.cc/jjP4dR5x/3-D74-CEC4-EEB ... F80-ED.jpg[/img][/url]

Oddero ( OF ) La Morra, Barbaresco 1971 The title confused folks. I said I suspect this is Gallina fruit from Barbaresco.

Fresh lift of pine, very clean bandage like, perhaps some brett but gee it works well here. Leather, truffle-licorice in spices. Very even and fills out perfectly; delivers complexity of the nose througjout.

93pts


[url=https://postimg.cc/3Wj3xyPj][img]https://i.postimg.cc/zD6vpK7Q/DD266126-2-D95 ... 0-ACEE.jpg[/img][/url]


Fransceco Rinaldi Barolo 1971- Smoke, leather and dark fruit, tapenade like mix. Thick edged, loaded with old fashioned extract,long and still gritty tannin.

93pts


[url=https://postimg.cc/MckWGyKD][img]https://i.postimg.cc/6QqTY0kD/2-A3-C50-F1-E2 ... -C96-A.jpg[/img][/url]


Marchesi di Barolo, Barolo 1971- These wines can be anything! Often though they are variable to poor.

Lots of classic tertiary development that worked brilliantly for me- mushrooms, tobacco, brown sugar and spices, leather. Filled out perfectly, sumptuous dark fruits, still fresh with only hints of tertiary minerality and ferrous iron minerality in a good persistence.

94pts

[url=https://postimg.cc/jWRFv58T][img]https://i.postimg.cc/CK8phnkR/F22-EBB75-42-F ... -CDA37.jpg[/img][/url]



Renato Ratti Barolo Marcenasco 1970- Fresher with florals in a dried bouquet, predictably leather notes and dark scents. Worn away on the palte- old La Morra fruit- ferrous, blood and long acidity.

89pts


Renato Ratti Barolo Marcenasco 1971- Charcuterie, complex, mint and dried eucalypt. Lovely! Savoury, even and very long. Excellent.

94pts


[url=https://postimg.cc/NyPkTfSp][img]https://i.postimg.cc/tT9SKs5Q/A438-C1-CD-73- ... 5-EE40.jpg[/img][/url]


Giacomo Conterno Barolo 1970- Dense and powerful berry buzz, porcini, fresh herbs. even, perfect lenght and blance. Spicy mineral tannins gently caress; mandarin peel persistence.

95pts



[url=https://postimg.cc/BtFBL3gB][img]https://i.postimg.cc/zDttQXH6/CF9-FE47-C-013 ... CB8870.jpg[/img][/url]



Marcarini Brunate Barolo 71- Caramel, plums and underbrush. Cherry sweet fruit, still plump fruited and holding well. Must have been stunning La Morra a decade plus ago.

91pts

Marcarini Brunate Barolo 70- Took a while to come to life. I thought it flawed though ended up OK

88pts


[url=https://postimg.cc/vgrDy0rf][img]https://i.postimg.cc/vBjnWjDq/8-E94-EFD3-A8- ... -A2192.jpg[/img][/url]

Dinner Wines-

Burlotto Barolo Riserva Speciale Verduno 1971- We returned to Burolotto's 71's over dinner and it was very enjoyable to have a large glass over two bottles. I can't find much information on these riserva bottlings- which is a shame- and no doubt they were produced due the stunning quality of the 71 vintage.

The wine is still fresh aromatically, with lifted red fruits, stewed in devlopment, some typicaland lighter truffle-licorice notes and a ferrous note more typical of age than terroir. Palate was clean and very long, red fruits again, displayed elegantly and murmurs of gratification from most.

Verduno, especially Monvigliero, where I assume a lot of the fruit is from here, are in youth beautifully perfumed, elegant wines with a deceptive elegance and immediacy. This despite their "potent cellarability" as described in a long ago University of Turin study. These wines are proof!

94pts


[url=https://postimg.cc/grDtwPd5][img]https://i.postimg.cc/FstMB969/DA403-F80-C264 ... 7-E3-D.jpg[/img][/url]


Giacomo Conterno Barolo 1970- I found this a beautiful wine over the three bottles! Remarkably consistent and delivering typical Conterno, I just imagined those lucky enough in the early days drinking his wines in endless pours around the restaurants in the region.

The wine is lifted and freshened, in a neutral sense ie: no VA or menthol you tend to find in many old Barolo.Still perfumed, in dark fruits and tar and traces of complex mineral scents. Perfect extract, driving evenness and charming harmony- still youthful in a long finish.

95pts


Paulo Scavino Bric Del Fiasc Barolo 1982- I did not take notes here. I was too busy running around the table telling folks this is history in a glass- the Barolo wars! Is it a modernist or traditionalist? Veracity for my statement time heals all with beautifully crafted Barolo. To find great bottles to highlight this point is getting harder and harder. But here we had a shining display of magnificent Barolo for our times!

95pts

[url=https://postimages.org/][img]https://i.postimg.cc/J4WFQpy0/F06818-DD-6730 ... BA3-F2.jpg[/img][/url]

Lovely to see a good range of 50 year old wines.

The Marchesi almost certainly influenced by their negociant position at the time and it being luck of the draw what's in that barrel, Like you we've had successes and failures. Marcarini for me very much a safer option, true a little foursquare, but some of the most reliable cellaring wines.

Interesting mix of corks as well.

I hadn't had much experience with really old Marcarini- more so in the last 20 years. Foursquare indeed- I like this because they make great food wines where you needn't worry of losing complex nuance of the more lauded producers.

The Marchesi was delivering for me though faded quickly. Better helpings may have seen a mark-down by glasses end!

Thanks the post on some lovely older Nebbiolos. One of the best Barolo I have ever had was the 1971 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva. Just fabulous deep long and powerful. Drunk about 10 years ago or so.

Brodie

brodie wrote:Thanks the post on some lovely older Nebbiolos. One of the best Barolo I have ever had was the 1971 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva. Just fabulous deep long and powerful. Drunk about 10 years ago or so.

Brodie

I was shocked to see that wine, albeit a later vintage, on an old (UK) Oddbins list. More shocking was the modest price for that and the Monfortino. At current GBP/AUD exchange rates, around 40 bucks for either.

Wow Ian! You should have .....

When I stopped buying Monfortino in 2004 it was three bottles for the same price as Grange. It was a no-brainer it was going somewhere in the stratosphere. I have enough Monfortino and I kick myself for not buying more from a value sense. However, my budget did snap up relatively unknown Piedmont wines that have in relative terms hit the stratosphere too.

Look at damn Galloni and 2016 already. He makes Monfortino with his 100 pointers ( he once said he'd never do this ) whereas his 99 pointers stay the same price. Chiara Boschis (Pira) Barolo Via Nuova 2016 - up 5 times in price! Vietti Ravera too.

2016 requires some detective work. No FOMO. Let them go the way of the trophy hunters. Looks to be a lot of wines released similar tom last year's pricing.

So many great wines made in 2016, on the more affordable end Giuseppe Cortese knocked it out of the park, as did Nada Fiorenzo and of course Olek Bondonio.

Although starting to push things price wise, GB Burlotto also had an incredible vintage. Monvigliero blew me away but the Acclivi is also outstanding.

FWIW I consider Galloni to be marketing-led, and the growing point inflation merely him understanding how 'perfection' (sic.) gets bottles shifted and his reputation for being the market mover becomes enhanced. Burlotto has in the space of 2-3 vintages, gone from very good wines available at reasonable prices, to a winery to avoid at what the market (not Fabio) is now asking. Galloni will be happy he's had that effect - it strengthens his reputation as the market mover. I'm happy for Fabio, even if that means we'll drink what we have left and not replace any of the Barolo wines. We fondly remember our visit there.

I very much prefer the direction of Ian d'Agata, who comes across as an enthusiast who understands we have different tastes, but who delights in suggesting wines that might match our tastes, but maybe we've not yet heard of them. No critic will have me chasing high scores (though my early enthusiasm for wine did pay rather too much attention to those numbers).

I agree Ian. There's still a downloadable interview on I'll Drink To That where Galloni states he isn't happy with critics allocating 100pts! So you're probably right- he's filled a void as an authority in a region in a massive upswing and with hard to follow dynamics. I love Burlotto too- but the Monvigliero can be polarising in its style and I wonder if the trophy hunters truly like the wine? Doesn't matter I know.

I've enjoyed what little I've been exposed to of Ian d'Agata's Piedmont commentary. Seems a little more soulful.

If you like a book you can dip in and out of, then d'Agata's Native wine grapes of Italy is probably my favourite wine book - but there again I do love tasting around the fringes and it's a rare book that isn't heavily weighted to the famous wines. Without hyping stuff up, his enthusiasm is subtly infectious.

Bric Cenciurio is a small family run affair on the hills near Barolo town.


Bric Cenciurio Barolo Pittatore 2014- Named after Franco Pittatore who founded the winery with his brother-in-law. Sadly, Franco passed away soon after the winery founded. Select parcels of fruit from the commune of Barolo.

On the first day I appreciated the fine perfume and elegance of the wine- despite detracting youth and squeally citrus acidity and tart tannin. Day three is an entirely different proposition- still a lovely pomegranate/cranberry perfume lifting toward classic tar and rose. Now an appropriately fleshy palate, though primed with red fruits, with a light tobacco development. A long wine with its citrus acidity carry and tannins pleasantly ashen.

91pts


Bric Cenciurio Barolo Monrobiolo di Bussia 2014- Not prime real estate on Bussia though putting together a solid effort for 2014. Starts quite brooding, dark fruited, then mentholated and bright red cherry scents. Rich and dark on the palate, nicely extracted and red cherry notes emerge with a finish of fruit driven tannins- just a little off-putting and a common issue with 2014.

I came back to a small glass on day three whereby the nose is fragrant and pretty, minerally too. Grim aeration for such a small pour- though holding up OK, fruit is now peppered and cranberry like; perhaps showing the ripening issues of the vintage in a gentlemanly fashion. Structurally my comments were all in place.

92pts





[url=https://postimages.org/][img]https://i.postimg.cc/fysXPcp4/E1444588-B46-D ... -A8-A4.jpg[/img][/url]

[url=https://postimages.org/][img]https://i.postimg.cc/JhHJ3c4c/6-C5382-F6-935 ... 2-CC78.jpg[/img][/url]

Fratelli Grasso 'Vallegrande', Barbaresco 2005- This was a fascinating Barbaresco in a retro-style of rusty fruit extract, old barrel andv classic varietal evolution. Just a little aeration and all came together- a mesh of all the best nuances of each!

93pts

Fratelli Grasso San Stunet Barbaresco 2008- A beautiful perfume of polish and dark fruits, quality Burgundy like with mushroom and sous bois. Even and long- very unyielding on the palate so I left half the bottle for 24 hours. Still, little to reflect the gorgeous aromatics, little coaxed out of a dark and unyielding flavour profile- so I did what you do with underperforming nebbiolo and had a glass with dinner. Pleasant and balanced with food.

90pts+

Hi Jamie
Intrigued that you've encountered Fratelli Grass. I visited them a few years ago when meeting up for an 'offline' organised by a Danish wine enthusiast for British wine enthusiasts on a wine tour (and we were on holiday there at the same time, so joined them). Very friendly / affable family. The wines I thought were decent (but not really aspiring above that), and a little softer than I'd like, but the prices (especially for magnums) were a giveaway. Very much off the radar of wine critics.

A local merchant stocks them, so I've picked up a few bottles over the years. The prices over here also very good indeed. Being able to pop a magnum of SV Barbaresco on the table for under £30 is useful!
Regards
Ian

Hi Ian

One of my wine group imports them to HKG. I did a bit of reading and they seem retro-wines made by jovial characters in a very traditional manner. It reminded me of first visits to Barbaresco so I was keen to try. I was playing around with the pics but I'll post notes soon. The 2005 was very good. 2008 I put back in the fridge after half a bottle to pry it open more.

That's a great price!

Hi Jamie
Jovial, but also down to earth, friendly and easy-going. Genuinely easy to like people.

We visited them early evening, just prior to a Barbaresco a Tavola meal/tasting at trattoria risorgimento in Treiso, which was also a pleasingly convivial event in a good solid traditional trattoria.

Regards
Ian

2018 Olek Bondonio Langhe Nebbiolo

Decanted for 4 hrs and drank over another 3.

Initially had a very big hit of raw wood/oak and raw cork but that blew off (took a while though and was distracting)

This is so different. Lots of oranges, Valencia in particular. Orange juice, orange rind, orange zest
...all the oranges.

Alpine herbs, licqiorice and some sort of florals. Wild meadow high in the mountains type stuff. Maybe some pine and lots of fennel. Minerals...quite a lot of minerality.

Structure is gorgeous. Tannin is gravelly and acid is perfectly matched but not integrated, still so very young.

Underlying fruit is very powerful, Will take a long time to punch through. Have 2 left, down for a sleep. Cork willing, this will be a superstar in the future.

Apparently the very last vintage of this wine as the vines can now all be classified as barbaresco.

When I first visited Olek he had an oaked ( big botti ) and un-oaked nebbiolo. Then a regular Barbaresco and Roncagliette. He certainly moves his range about. I guess with the extraordinary rise of interest in the region, it makes sense he bottles more Barbaresco. Quality will rise too.

Never picked loads of citrus in his wines - I wonder if the fruit from Starderi way? Or perhaps an expression of vintage 18?

JamieBahrain wrote:When I first visited Olek he had an oaked ( big botti ) and un-oaked nebbiolo. Then a regular Barbaresco and Roncagliette. He certainly moves his range about. I guess with the extraordinary rise of interest in the region, it makes sense he bottles more Barbaresco. Quality will rise too.

Never picked loads of citrus in his wines - I wonder if the fruit from Starderi way? Or perhaps an expression of vintage 18?

This was my 1st Olek (wont be my last though!), and also my 1st 2018 Langhe vintage, so I had no idea what to expect really. Had it with the better half at home in the Zalto Burgundy Glass, not a 'formal tasting' as such.

Was very young (probably Vinicide if im honest), I just was so excited to see what all the fuss is about, I had to crack one. Will try and hunt
down more of his older/cru offerings this year (do you have any favourites?) now I have made some room in my cellar.

I think Starderi is the essence of Barbaresco - so pure and elegant. Young Roncagliette is OK now if you like tannin.

To secure access to 2016 Chiara Boschis I bought 4 x each of the following. Three for the cellar and opening one each now to see where the estate is, considering some significant oak regime change now Chiara's brother is on board. They wound back their oak usage considerably with more older wood and big botti.

If folks aren't realising the old modernist/ traditionalist debate isn't way more complicated, the direction of E. Pira & Figli Chiara Boschis indicates its certainly fluid.

I consumed all wines over three days. I love this about nebbiolo. Zero evidence of oxidation or fatigue; and three different expressions per bottle!

E. Pira & Figli Chiara Boschis Cannubi Barolo 2015- This is a very pleasant though somewhat understated expression of Cannubi. Initially shows balsamic and ripe rose-plum fruit. In the mouth it's classic Cannubi proper, mellow dark fruits with just a hint of red fruited shades adding complexity: sweet tannins with a splinter-hint of oak complete. Over the days its true to form, more earth and spice complexity, mellow and easy pleasing.

92pts

E. Pira & Figli Chiara Boschis via Nuova Barolo 2015- This is now am exotic blend of the communes of Barolo, Serralunga, Monforte whereas when I last tried it was a pretty fruited and soft expression of Barolo proper.

This is a forthright Barolo. No messing about. Aromatically powerful yet still gratifyingly floral. A mixed rose bouquet, bramble berry and red raspberry and strawberry. Rich and deep, very complete and powerful yet the direction is quite well defined- structural carry is elegant and a lean focus on a long carry. Over the next few sittings the deep fruit notes blossom and become airy. With oak complimentary and adding a complex spice and savoury dimension. The last glass rejuvenating itself, Serralunga like, with a tireless youthfulness and mongrel-firm tannins of the blend.

Wow! Perhaps I'll backfill 2010/2013 before the absolute madness of Galloni's 100pts for 2016 manifests itself into the wider vintage market

94pts +

E. Pira & Figli Chiara Boschis Mosconi Barolo 2015- As opposed to the other two, this seems unapologetically "modern". It works well- perhaps the ripe 2015 vintage, latent power of the Cru and barrique come together opportunistically.

Exotic, explosive aromatics all in proportion in a natural class of high order. Rose and plums and contrasting dark violets in spice. It shows classic Mosconi on the palate with its big structure and austerity- just tempting you to cellar and let the wine build. By day three the palate has filled out in ample bounty, aromas are settled yet no less complex, fruit is freshened with balsamic notes and a rich plumpness. A perfect structural balance now in place, suggesting very clever tannin management with barrique.

95pts+

[url=https://postimages.org/][img]https://i.postimg.cc/zB1KXsVc/2-C666-F87-EFE ... -E4-FE.jpg[/img][/url]

Hah! Not much work and every night share a nebbiolo with friends and neighbours. Reported on these wines prior.


[url=https://postimages.org/][img]https://i.postimg.cc/x8fmLLGG/B7-D781-C6-BBC ... 4-FCA2.jpg[/img][/url]

2010 Benevelli Piero Barolo Ravera

Decanted for 2 hrs then drunk over another 2 in the Zalto Burgundy.... and man what a relief after my last two Benevelli's were corked (07 & 06),
although cork was stained up to 3/4 on one side.

Just a pure expression of why I love Neb. Clean, elegant, powerful.

Cherries, aniseed, tar, rose petal type florals as well as purple florals, length is beautiful, but its the nose that is the most enchanting. Slightly sweet, slightly spice (maybe cinnamon?)/pepper then red fruits (Strawberry, Raspberry) and florals again.... slatey minerals. Gee i love this wine & producer.
Some Cherry liquor/cherry medicinal notes as well.

Tannins were still quite prominent, mouth coating sort of between gravelly and dusty, and this still needs some more time in the cellar, but the power behind the fruit was impressive. Medium body, darker red colour than the others I remember. Perfect judge of oak.

Acid has started to calm down as well, so my issue will be trying to keep my hands off my remaining bottles for the next 5+ years while it comes
into balance that little bit more.

For the money, is there a better Barolo? (Thats a genuine question, as im still just a complete novice in Italy)

Rossco wrote:For the money, is there a better Barolo? (Thats a genuine question, as im still just a complete novice in Italy)

To answer this question you need to have a consistent price point reference.

This isn't easy to do- especially in Australia with taxation and conversely, currency swings and heavy discounting.

I'd say in ITA Piedmont is nothing short of a high value region. With international worthy wines and exponential quality rise. 20-30 euros is Cru Barbaresco pricing and 25-40 Euros Cru Barolo. A bit of enthusiasm you will find seriously undervalued wines in this price range.

Rossco wrote:2010 Benevelli Piero Barolo Ravera
...
For the money, is there a better Barolo? (Thats a genuine question, as im still just a complete novice in Italy)

At $80 down under (2015 vintage) I can't think of one.

I've got a single bottle of 2010 in my cellar. Based on your TN it seems like I should wait a few more years before opening. I'm still trying to work out how long I like my Barolo cellared for optimal enjoyment (obviously vintage dependent too).

Ozzie W wrote:

Rossco wrote:2010 Benevelli Piero Barolo Ravera
...
For the money, is there a better Barolo? (Thats a genuine question, as im still just a complete novice in Italy)

At $80 down under (2015 vintage) I can't think of one.

I've got a single bottle of 2010 in my cellar. Based on your TN it seems like I should wait a few more years before opening. I'm still trying to work out how long I like my Barolo cellared for optimal enjoyment (obviously vintage dependent too).

For my tastes the 2006 Benevelli Ravera is just entering its peak now, 2004 also fantastic. I reckon 2010 is another 5 years away.

Rossco wrote: For the money, is there a better Barolo? (Thats a genuine question, as im still just a complete novice in Italy)

As far as buying here in Australia goes, I reckon Benevelli are in the conversation for sure.

Other notable mentions, including Barbaresco:
Schiavenza
Podere Ruggeri Corsini
Produttori del Barbaresco
La Ca' Nova
Musso

JamieBahrain wrote:

Rossco wrote:For the money, is there a better Barolo? (Thats a genuine question, as im still just a complete novice in Italy)

To answer this question you need to have a consistent price point reference.

This isn't easy to do- especially in Australia with taxation and conversely, currency swings and heavy discounting.

I'd say in ITA Piedmont is nothing short of a high value region. With international worthy wines and exponential quality rise. 20-30 euros is Cru Barbaresco pricing and 25-40 Euros Cru Barolo. A bit of enthusiasm you will find seriously undervalued wines in this price range.

Retail $ 100 or less AUD for a point of reference.

Ozzie W wrote:

Rossco wrote:2010 Benevelli Piero Barolo Ravera
...
For the money, is there a better Barolo? (Thats a genuine question, as im still just a complete novice in Italy)

At $80 down under (2015 vintage) I can't think of one.

I've got a single bottle of 2010 in my cellar. Based on your TN it seems like I should wait a few more years before opening. I'm still trying to work out how long I like my Barolo cellared for optimal enjoyment (obviously vintage dependent too).

Knowing how you like your wines, I would say 5 years to let the tannin soften a little more BUT (and this is probably the hardest part), I can see
a fair bit of bottle variation based on CT notes. So my particular bottle was drinking young, my other two........ wont know
till I crack them.

There seem to be a number of importers who get a good deal and wines are not badly priced by international standards. Pre-arrival by the dozen deals can be super competitive even with our taxation .

There’s a number of favourites on the Wine Front - Bel Colle for example .

Some Barbaresco and Barolo traditional from 2016 will be big performers in the long term- outperforming many Cru’s.