2010 Podere Rocche dei Manzoni Barolo Vigna d'la Roul, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$80.00USD

From Magnum.  This was really enjoyable.  In a young, but nice place right now.  Deep ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is as expected, that is, cherries, slight dark cherries, dried floral notes, spice and slight tar.  With air, a slight menthol note.  Medium to full bodied.  Firm tannins.  Juicy acidity.  On the palate, this has dense cherries with some spice.  Deep but primary.  Delicious.  Slight sweet and sour cherry note on the finish.  This (again from Magnum) of course needs more time.  It should drink well for the next twenty years.  Pasta with shave truffles should be per

2014 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Asili, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A

This seemed a bit reticent at this point in its life cycle.  No doubt it will emerge soon but if opening soon, best go give this a  long decant.  Ruby/purple in appearance.  Mostly clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, black cherries, and spice.  Medium bodied.  Medium tannins.  On the palate, cherries with some black cherries.  Spice/oak with some forest floor notes.  Good acidity.  Moderate finish.  Right now this drinks better with food than on its own.  Mushroom Ragout would work well.  Hold for three to five years and drink for ten to twelve after that.  

2014 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Rio Sordo, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$70.00USD

This is a big, albeit young, wine.  Ruby/purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries, some black raspberries, some cherries, spice and slight tar.  Full bodied.  Nice texture.  Moderate acidity.  On the palate, mostly black cherry fruit but some other fruits in there as well.  A bit of menthol on the finish.  Firm tannins.  This needs more cellaring, but is certainly enjoyable today.  Perhaps wait another five to seven years and drink for ten to fifteen after that and the score should go up by at least a few points.  A nice food match would be hearty pasta dishes

2011 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2011
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

Fascinating to drink this side by side with the Ovello from the same warm vintage.  This is more muscular and dense.  Deep purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is tight but opens in the glass to show black cherries, cherries, slight mint and perhaps some balsamic.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins that are a bit drying.  Plenty of depth and complexity but tightly layered.  Much more open on the palate.  Black cherries with spice but also a hint of stewed fruits.  The later is not overwhelming but is more prominent in the finish.  This wine has excellent parts but one wonders if it

2011 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Ovello, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

This was interesting, a cooler vineyard site in a warmer vintage.  The resulting wine was excellent.  Ruby in color with some browning at the rim.  The wine still retains a pretty nose with some floral notes to go with cherries, black cherries and a slight pine note.  A nice medium to full bodied texture.  Plenty of depth.  Light tannins.  On the palate, notes of black cherries, black currants, and some underlying tea leaves.  Long finish.  Good acidity.  While this drinks nicely on its own, it works better with food.  Braised short ribs would be a nice match.  

2010 Giodo Brunello di Montalcino, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
96
Grade: 
A

This is a big, modern-styled Brunello that is absolutely delicious.  Purple in color with some ruby swirls, clear and bright.  The nose is powerful with black cherries, baking spices, cedar and slight tea leaves.  Full bodied.  Nice acidity.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, black cherry fruit with some spice/oak.  Wonderful texture.  Long finish.  This is not yet at peak but close.  As the oak and tannins integrate, this may yet improve even more.  That said, no harm drinking now.  It drinks well on its own and will work well with bigger foods.  Osso Buco would be a great choice.  

2010 Azienda Agricola Le Ragnaie Brunello di Montalcino Fornace, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$180.00USD

Ruby to deep ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, tea leaves, some baking spice and roasted herbs.  Great texture; juicy but plush.  Full bodied.  On the palate, cherries, black cherries over spice and charred herbs.  Good acidity.  Complex and deep.  Long finish.  This seems to be just on the younger side of peak.  Very tasty.  It should drink well for the next twelve to fifteen years.  A nice match with Lamb Ragout.  

2010 Val di Suga (Angelini) Brunello di Montalcino Vigna Spuntali, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$95.00USD

This is a big, modern styled Brunello.  It is also outstanding.  Purple in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, forest floor, sandalwood and chocolate.  Full bodied.  Firm tannins.  On the palate, plenty of oak coming off as spice and chocolate but plenty of cherry and black cherry fruit.  This bottle is still youthful but getting close to maturity.  Depth.  Delicious.  Nice finish.  This drink great on its own and need some heavier food right now.  Short ribs with Polenta seems like it would work well.  Drink over the next ten to twelve years.  

2010 La Serena Brunello di Montalcino, Italy, Tuscany, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
95
Grade: 
A

Very nice showing for this wine.  It has the reputation (fueled by its 15% abv?) of being a bruiser but at this stage in its life, showed plenty of refinement.  Ruby in color with some purple swirls, clear and bright.  The nose is nice with cherries, slight sandalwood, slight tea leaves and an interesting rosemary note.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, cherries, slight black cherries, hint of soy with a bit of char.  Medium tannins.  Good acidity.  Long finish.  This may still improve but either way has another ten to twenty years left of good drinking.  It drinks nicely on its own b

1970 Pietro Conterno Barolo et Figli, Italy, Piedmont,

Vintage: 
1970
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

I believe that Pietro Conterno is Giacomo Conterno's father.  First time trying a wine with this label.  It was double decanted a few hours prior to serving.  Pale ruby with plenty of browning in color, clear although a bit muted.  Despite all of the air it saw prior to pouring, this still improved and got more youthful (to a degree) in the glass.  The nose is a bit nutty, but also has some dried cherries, slight mushrooms, and forest floor.  There is a nice complexity.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this is past prime but does offer up some interesting notes of earthiness, mushroom and dr

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