Nebbiolo

This was a relatively inexpensive Barolo on release ($30) from an excellent vintage.  Solid showing although not as good as a bottle a couple of years ago.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, dust and slight tar.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this has some cherry fruit.  Light tannins.  Moderate finish.  It works better with food and would make a nice meal with pasta.  Probably best to drink this sooner than later.  

This bottle was bought at auction although there were no overt signs of poor storage.  Tasted over two days.  It was good, but we had hoped for more.  Garnet in color, mostly clear.  The nose has cherries, slight tar and dust.  Not very big on the nose.  Medium bodied.  Tannins mostly resolved although slight tannins remain.  On the palate, there are cherries and slight sour cherries.  One dimensional.  On Day 2 a brown sugar note emerges.  This can often mean heat damage in its life or in this case, maybe just old age.  Moderate finish.  This is drinking fine but was probably better ten ye

From one of the best Co-Ops making wine anywhere in the world, this is their base level Barbaresco.  And, as they seem to do a few times every decade, they nailed it in 2016.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose is great with cherries, spices, forest floor and slight mint.  On the palate, this has a lovely lush texture.

This is drinking well right now.  Deep ruby in color.  The nose has black cherries, plums, roasted meats and slight tar.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, the black cherries come thru with an underlying charred meat quality.  Good acidity.  Nice structure.  Light tannins.  The finish is moderate.  This probably should be consumed in the next five years or so.  It works better with food.  A nice mushroom pasta dish would be a good choice.  

Vietti makes some great value wines and some top Barolos.  This one is their entry level Barolo and it is a very nice value and a very nice Barolo!  At age 19 from a great vintage, this is showing some maturity but certainly not all the way there yet.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim with no browning.  The nose is nice with cherries, black cherries, spice and tar.  Medium to full bodied with light tannins.  On the palate, this has a nice complexity as the layers unwind in the glass.  Flavors of cherries over a bit of forest floor and damp earth.  Very smooth.  Nice finish.  This should con

Great showing for this wine.  Decanted for sediment and air for about 4 hours.  Light ruby in color, clear and bright.  No browning.  The nose is pretty with cherries, slight cherry juice, roses, black cherries and slight forest floor.  Medium to full bodied.  On the palate, the black cherries come thru a bit stronger.  Mild tannins.  Underlying forest floor.  Great acidity.  Long finish.  This has layers of fruit and earth.  It seems to be drinking close to prime now, but well stored bottles should easily have another decade.  This will work great with pasta, mushrooms or more savory meat

A birth year wine for me.  Light ruby in color, clear and bright with a slight, slight browning.  On the nose, there are fresh cherries, cola, slight tar and dried roses.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, the fresh cherry fruit comes thru.  Light tannins.  Nice acidity.  Round.  This is drinking older, but I would not have guessed 62 years.  it has a nice complexity and depth.  At this point, all bottles are a crap shoot, but this one could have gone a while longer.  Better with food.  Pasta in a cream sauce with mushrooms would be great.  

This is another mid-tier Barolo that savvy shoppers should be on the lookout for when it goes on sale.  These wines, especially in top vintages are really excellent.  This one was picked up for $42 which  is great for a Barolo of this quality.  Ruby in color, clear and bright.  The nose has cherries, rose, and roasted herbs.  Medium bodied.  On the palate, this still has firm tannins.  It opens more with air.  Cherries over a scorched earth with nice layering.  Great balance.  Very elegant.  Long finish.  This is close to peak but should do another ten to twelve years.  A great match with p

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

This is really drinking well.  If not at peak, pretty damn close.  Light ruby in color with some orange bricking at the rim.  The nose is very pretty with cherries, slight dried cherries, slight roses and hints of hot tar.  On the palate, this has a lovely texture.  Light tannins.  Cherry fruit layered with earthiness.  Good balance.  Nice finish.  This has a contemplative quality for drinking alone, but works great with food.  Pasta and mushrooms are perfect.  It won't get better but should drink well for seven to ten more years at least.