2004 Renato Corino Barolo Vigneto Rocche, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2014
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A

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.  

2010 Damilano Barolo Lecinquevigne, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
88
Grade: 
B+

Purple in color, ruby at the core.  The nose is dusty with light cherries.  On the palate, this is simple.  Sweet ripe cherries.  Soft texture.  Enough acidity.  Easy finish.  This is good but not what makes Barolo special.  It seems to be at peak now.  It probably should be consumed in the next five or so years.  A nice wine with pizza or pasta.  

2010 Bric Cenciurio Barolo Coste di Rose, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2010
Score: 
90
Grade: 
A-

My first time trying this wine.  Ruby/purple in color.  The nose is very tight at first.  With air some dried cherries emerge.  On the palate, this is soft.  It has a nice complexity to it.  At peak.  Layers of cherries, dried cherries and dried roses.  Good acidity.  Some depth.  Solid finish.  This should be drunk in the  next three to five years.  It needs food.  Casseroles would be good.  

2007 Paolo Scavino Barolo Monvigliero, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2007
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$80.00USD

Purple in color.  The nose is clean with black cherry fruit. Dusty.  On the palate, black cherries with some dark chocolate.  Very modern in style.  Delicious.  Light tannins.  I think this is about as good as it gets but no hurry.  It should have ten to twelve years at peak drinking.  This will go well with pasta in mushroom or cream sauce.  

2000 Massolino Barolo Parafada, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2000
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-

Looking back over old notes, I see I had this bottle in 2010.  It is nice to revisit.  Purple in color, ruby at the rim.  The nose is dusty with cherries and slight mint. On the palate, this has a voluptuous texture.  Plenty of cherry fruit with slight underlying forest floor.  Still persistent tannins.  At age 20, there is still some development probable.  It has aged slowly and stubbornly but is still an outstanding bottle of wine.  Given where it is, it should easily have another decade.  More, for well stored bottles.  This will go well with Osso Buco.  

2008 Fontanafredda Barolo Vigna La Rosa, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2008
Score: 
93
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$98.00USD

A great showing for this wine.  Purple in color with ruby swirls.  The nose is dusty with cherries.  On the palate, medium tannins.  Cherries and tart cherries.  Some complexity.  Good finish.  This is closing in on peak but still has a bit to go.  Still, it is drinking quite well.  It is a more feminine take on a Barolo but that is not to say light or weak.  It will easily go another ten to twelve years.  This will work well with roasted fowl.  

2015 Vietti Barolo Castiglione, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2015
Score: 
92
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$45.00USD

This is always a great value in Barolo.  Of course, this is still quite young, but this is drinking well.  Ruby in color, mostly opaque and bright.  The nose has black cherries and anise.  With air, a bit of rose comes out.  On the palate, this is medium bodied.  Medium tannins.  Plenty of cherry fruit.  Good acidity.  Nice finish.  This will surely continue to develop for five to ten more years but I am not sure if it gets better.  It will work well with cassoulets and roasts.  

2009 Elio Altare Barolo Vigneto Arborina, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2009
Score: 
94
Grade: 
A
Current Price: 
$75.00USD

One of my favorite Barolos.  Still, slightly to the modern side (as that distinction means less and less).  At age 11, this is still young but drinking great.  Ruby in color, purple at the core.  The nose has tar, black cherries and cherries.  With air, some dusty rose notes.  On the palate, this has a lovely texture.  Still tannic.  Lots of cherry fruit, some black cherries with some underlying spices.  This wine is very lively.  Long finish.  It is drinking well but may still improve a bit.  Either way, it should be good for another fifteen years at least.  It will work great with mushroo

2000 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Cascina Francia, Italy, Piedmont, Wine Review

Vintage: 
2000
Score: 
91
Grade: 
A-
Current Price: 
$250.00USD

This bottle had been opened and allowed to breathe for 8 hours prior to drinking.  It probably needed more.  Ruby in color, slight browning.  The nose has dried roses, slight tar, and cherries.  There was also a slight oxidized/caramel quality to this.  On the palate, this is very firm tannins.  Fresh and dried cherries.  Anise on the finish.  Very traditional in style.  Good balance.  This needs food, pasta with a mushroom and cream sauce perhaps.  I don't think it improves but a bit more cellaring or air wouldn't hurt.  Drink over the next ten years.  

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