2013 Cantina della Torre Barolo Casali del Barone, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

This is one of those wines that when you read the label, expectations are raised. Though I had not heard to the producer, a Barolo, in a great vintage for $40, should be a great wine. This is not. It is a fine, drinkable wine but not more. Ruby/purple in color. The nose has some black cherries. On the palate, this has firm tannins. The black cherries carry thru. Moderate finish. Some, not a lot of, acidity. A nice pizza wine (if the price works for you).

Grade:

Score:

Vintage:

2013

Current Price:

$40.00USD

2016 Cantina dei Produttori Nebbiolo di Carema Carema Riserva, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$32.00USD

From the far north in Piemonte in Italy, this is made from Nebbiolo, the same grape used in Barolo and Barbaresco. It is a very nice value play. Pale ruby in color, slightly opaque and bright. The nose is dusty with cherries and slight tar notes. Medium bodied. On the palate, cherries with underlying light earthiness. Elegant. Good acidity. Medium complexity. Medium finish. This is drinking well now and should continue for the next five to seven years. A perfect wine for mid-week pizza or pasta.

2013 Giovanni Manzone Barolo Bricat, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage:

2013

Score:

Grade:

A-

This is painfully young. Great stuffing but really needs at least five more years and probably more. For all the talk about modern styles of Barolo's and making them more accessible, even the average ones still need a decade or more. This is ruby in color, clear and bright. The nose is dusty with cherries, macerated cherries and dried roses. On the palate, this has firm tannins. Sour cherry fruit. A very nice finish. Plenty of upside on this wine and it is probably still out in the marketplace. I am told it retails for around $50 which is a great price for a Barolo of this quality.

2013 San Biagio Barolo Sorano, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage:

2013

Score:

Grade:

A-

This is an affordably priced Barolo ($30 on release) that is reasonably modern in style. Ruby in color, mostly clear and bright. The nose is nice with cherries, slight floral nose and baking spice. On the palate, this is accessible if not at peak. It has nice cherry fruit. There is a fair amount of oak showing and medium firm tannins which suggests another three to five years would be beneficial (and what one should expect for a Barolo in this class). It is food friendly with a nice bit of acidity. Pasta in a cream sauce would work well. This should be good for the next ten to fifte

2019 Ricossa Barolo Antica Casa, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage:

2019

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$46.00USD

This is a more accessible style of Barolo. Ruby in color with slight browning (normal even in a young Barolo). Clear and bright. The nose has cherries, anise, cranberries, and a very slight floral quality. Medium to full bodied. Very firm tannins. Good acidity. On the palate, cherries and slight rhubarb note with underlying char and slight anise. Long finish. This drinks easy for such a young Barolo, but this should continue to mature over the next five to seven years. Either way, it should drink well of ten years. Nice on its own, but this wine was made to go with food. Pasta w

2010 Andrea Oberto Barolo, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage:

2010

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$50.00USD

Barolo's, like most wines, are available in wide price points and quality levels. Savvy shoppers can often find some of the mid-range producers at less expensive pricing and that can be a nice buying opportunity. This is one that fits into that category. It cost about $30 just a few years ago. It was young and needed some time, but for this class of Barolo, ten years is a good time to check in. And this is drinking very nicely now. Ruby in color, clear and bright. The nose is pretty with cherries, slight roses and tar. Medium bodied. Medium tannins that increase with air. Nice fre

2013 Cantina della Torre Barolo Casali del Barone, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

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