The Auswine Forum

JamieBahrain wrote:I’ve arrived for a quick stay at Monforte. Hopefully I’ll get a few wineries in but I’m a slow paced tourist preferring to experience the atmosphere of a medieval wine town such as Monforte d’Alba.

http://www.manzonegiovanni.com/

Manzone is a good consideration to look at the area . They are small, very affordable and present over a number of famous Cru’s.

After a quick shower at my apartment in Monforte it’s off to the winery for a tasting with Mauro.

Manzone is another producer that puts to rest the simplicity of the modernist / traditionalist debate . I can’t quite nail their oak regime but they are self-declared traditionalists, minimal interventionists and traditional winemaking , with a modern winery.

Barolo Castelletto 2015- Beautifully ripened fruit with cliche tar and roses and Turkish Delight chocolate notes arising from sweet strawberry/raspberry fruit and spice. This ripeness carries on the palate edges with the wine being long and gently muscular . Lots of joy inside of a decade with 2015 though no doubting cellaring potential .

93pts

Barolo Bricat 2015 is from the top of the Gramolere vineyard, a Cru within as Cru picked only in exceptional vintages .

This is bigger than the 2015 Castelletto despite Gramolere elevation and soil composition usually delivering a more elegant expression.

Concentrated dark tar masking deeper buried red fruit notes, less showy and more retrained than the Castelletto 2015. Latent potential in a powerful yet elegant and long structure- tannins Monforte ripe and firm .

94pt+

Gramolere Barolo 2014- locals are far less critical of the vintage than the rest of the market .

Distinctly perfumed here, cool and classic high notes , lovely tar nuances more open toward an old vintage car engine- rose petals too. Classical austerity , a little lean, time and food will flesh out the wine with raspberry vanilla cream fruit notes .

91pts


Gramolere Riserva 2011- Ripe and perfumed berry mix, deeper Cadbury’s Turkish Delight notes with sweetened walnuts . A very giving wine, rounded and fully loaded with generous Nebbiolo fruit concentrated rather than palate spread - a nice energy keeps interest and freshness .

93pts

Gramolere Riserva 2008- This classic vintage pairs perfectly with Manzone’s house style . Has the ripened fruit notes of Gramolere above though with cool and mineral overtones. Palate is similar - elegant and long - with red fruit focus and delineation beam like. Old fashioned Monforte tannins flood the back palate .

96pts

Gramolere Riserva 1993- vintage engine oil and spiced , well tamed red and black fruit notes . Wove is carried by a calcareous austerity , flavour profile similar to aromatics clings at the edges , light grip in persisting tertiary notes .

95pts

Castelletto Barolo 2007- Excellent plump-ripe amalgamation of red and black fruits with tertiary tobacco like development suggesting it’s in window . Delivered on a long structural package , savoury with mineral undertones, lacks fruit stuffing though food will draw less critics .

92pts

Gramolere Barolo 2010- this is in a lock down but there is still enough to see of its high quality . Black pepper and dry spices , red fruit and tar in a classic mix, compelling structure and balance. Obviously unyielding though with glamorous potential !

94pts +


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Hard to tell much here from 2018 though a step up from 2017 . Love the hard Piedmont cheeses !


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Overall, a visit to Manzone, the highest rating I could recommend for a genuine lover of Barolo .


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Looking toward Castiglione, from the cellar door , overlooking Perno Cru . They will eventually make an individual Barolo from here. I have Perno in my cellar from other producers like G Macarello and I feel Mazone will fit nicely with their style .