Vinous (92)

The 2016 Barolo Capalot Vecchie Viti is dark, beguiling and very pretty. Rose petal, orange peel, cinnamon, kirsch, sweet red cherry and sweet pipe tobacco give the Capalot striking aromatic nuance and a real sense of exoticism that is quite inviting. Medium in body and constantly changing in the glass, the Capalot captures all of the complexities that make Nebbiolo and Barolo so fascinating. The tannins need time to soften, but there is plenty to look forward to once that happens.

Vinous (94)

The 2017 Barolo Capalot Vecchie Viti is another fabulous wine from Burzi. Dark, mysterious and beautifully layered in the glass, the Capalot is just captivating from the very first taste. Macerated black cherry, lavender, sage, spice, coffee and leather are some of the many notes that open over time in a Barolo that is deep yet also wonderfully transparent. The 2017 is so nuanced, so complex, so beautiful. It is also easily the best wine I have tasted from Burzi.

Vinous (92)

The 2016 Barbaresco is a gorgeous entry-level wine in this range. Dark and fleshy, the 2016 offers terrific depth as well as plenty of character, which is great to see in its peer group. Black cherry, plum, mocha, leather, spice and licorice all meld together. One of the more open wines in the range, the Barbaresco will also give readers an idea of what to expect. This is an absolutely delicious wine in its peer group and price range. The straight Barbaresco is a blend from Meruzzano and young vine fruit from Ronchi.

James Suckling (95)

Stunning rose-petal nose with hints of licorice and herbal tea. The palate has generosity, and the tannins have a polish that's rare in 2014 Barolos. If you like tannins, then you will agree with us that this is already delicious. It also has a long life ahead of it. Better after 2020.

Vinous (93)

A burst of mocha and clove is balanced by dusty black cherries and savory herbs as the 2017 La Poja blossoms in the glass. This is a heady and extroverted expression with a pretty inner sweetness contrasted by tart black fruits and inner herb tones. Dark chocolate, cloves, hints of vanilla and candied lavender can all be found through the incredibly long and palate-staining finale. The 2017 finishes lightly structured. For all of its extroverted character, the La Poja boasts only three grams of residual sugar per liter. This may be a big wine, but the balance is remarkable.

Decanter (98)

Beautiful lifted scents on the nose; crushed rose petals, pink peppercorns, such incredible incense fragrance - alive, pure, concentrated and expressive - strawberries and blood orange. Crystalline and pure, upfront from the first sip - juicy and so lively but energetic too - incredibly forward and electric almost. Direct at first, then slowly expands, increasing in intensity, mass and flavour as it goes from start to finish. Leaves a lingering buzz on the tongue with softly spiced edges and a depth of red cherry and plum fruit that lasts and lasts. Utterly seductive and expansive, not especially demonstrative in terms of texture at the moment, more controlled and calm, it's all about the flavours and the intensity of the acidity that gives this such a thrill. Just hinting at its potential with brightness and verve. Tannins are integrated giving the frame and the flavour is nuanced and poised. Great freshness with balanced acidity. Feels well made with intention and such lovely drinking pleasure, a benefit of the slightly cooler vintage. A wine that makes you think, and then smile, and then drink! La Poja is Allegrini’s flagship single-vineyard Valpolicella and sits at the summit of Podere La Grola. The Corvina vines were planted in 1979 on well-drained chalk and stony soils, and its first vintage was in 1983.

Vinous (91+)

Saturated full ruby. Brooding, primary aromas of berries, black cherry and licorice. Dense, lush and seamless, with nicely integrated acidity giving shape to the youthfully medicinal dark berry, black cherry and mint flavors. Rather backward today and not yet showing its complexity, but likely to reward eight or ten years of cellaring. Finishes firmly tannic, supple and long.

Vinous (92)

The 2017 Brunello di Montalcino is dark and powerful, with wave after wave of balsamic spices, wild herbs and crushed black cherries emanating from the glass. The depth of texture here is something to behold, weighty and fleshy in feel, yet perfectly in balance, as brisk acids enliven the gobs of red and black fruits within. The tannins take a backseat as nuances of plum, clove, licorice and cocoa appear under an air of purple-tinged flowers. The 2017 tapers off remarkably long and potent, with a structure that will carry it for years to come. It’s a total success for such a difficult vintage.

James Suckling (95)

Intense aromas of crushed lime and lemon as well as mineral and flint follow through to a medium body, ultra-precise acid and fruit balance. Long and linear finish. Just a hint of vanilla and cream. Give it a year or two to develop in the bottle but already a beauty.

Jeb Dunnuck (97)

The ample richness of the 2019 Guado al Tasso is balanced with great energy that drives through the core of this wine. Polished, with aromas of black plum, graphite, cedar, and leather, it is ripe and full-bodied, with good tannins and a linear drive but a long finish. This remarkable wine will benefit from cellaring. Drink 2025-2045.

Vinous (95)

The 2016 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva captivates with a rich, intoxicating bouquet that mixes deep black cherry-berry with plum sauce, balsam herbs, chalk dust and hints of camphor. It fleshes out across the palate, a staining of primary fruits and spices seeming to coat all that it touches in youthful concentration. Zesty acidity creates a refreshing balance in spite of the grippy tannins that settle in toward the close. The result is a wine of poise, structure, but also remarkable length and energy, as tart currants and salty minerals mingle – and, somehow, leave the mouth watering for more. Bravo! Argiano totally knocked it out of the park with their 2016 Riserva, which is a vineyard selection of fruit, refined for two years in 1,500-liter Garbellotto casks.

Kerin O'Keefe (97)

Pressed rose, aromatic herb, wild berry and Mediterranean brush aromas take center stage on this breathtaking red. Elegantly structured, the savory palate features tart cherry, star anise and a hint of coffee bean accompanied by tightly woven fine grained tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it perfectly balanced.

James Suckling (94-95)

A focused and tight red with a currant, blackberry and mineral character. Medium to full body with tight and pretty tannins. Shows class in this vintage.

James Suckling (94-95)

Lots of blueberry and blackcurrant aromas with some lavender and black-tea undertones. Full body. Tight and tannic.

James Suckling (96)

Profound nose here with chili chocolate and sandalwood beneath the sweet blackberry background. A hint of violets, too. An opulent and densely packed palate with full body and concentrated blackberries. Very tight tannins rendered in a fine-grained and almost seamless way, with a lingering finish. Drinkable now if decanted, but better after 2025.

Vinous (94)

The 2017 Barolo Margheria is gorgeous. Open, perfumed aromatics are immediately alluring. On the palate, the 2017 is a dark, mysterious wine, with layers of flavor that continue to develop over time. Dark cherry, blood orange, spice, leather, iron and scorched earth add striking layers of nuance. The tannins are potent - we are in Serralunga after all - but the 2017 has so much to offer. It's a gorgeous Barolo to enjoy over the next two decades, maybe more.

Vinous (94)

The 2017 Barolo San Rocco is powerful and tightly wound. All of its energy is focused inward today. There is terrific brightness and focus to the red berry fruit, but the 2017 is not in a mood to show much today. Readers will have to be patient. I am encourage by the wine's solid feel and pure power.

Boasting extraordinary craftsmanship, Azienda Agricola Bricco Ernesto Vino Rosso 2020 is a masterful representation of Italian winemaking tradition. Hailing from the prestigious regions of Barbera and Dolcetto, this exceptional red wine embodies a meticulous blend of elegance and character. The reputable producer, Bricco Ernesto, employs traditional methods, maintaining low yields, and manual harvests to ensure optimal fruit quality.

Using carefully selected grapes grown on steep marly-calcareous soils, the Vino Rosso 2020 breathes life into the glass, capturing the essence of its striking Piedmontese terroir. This splendid wine is aged for a year in French oak barrels to acquire its full-bodied complexity and smooth, velvety finish.

Each sip offers a harmonious motley of dark berry fruits, hints of spice, and subtle undertones of earthy chocolate, creating a prolonged aromatic persistence that invites slow savouring of the Azienda Agricola Bricco Ernesto Vino Rosso 2020. A significant contender in the world of fine wine, leaving an indelible impression on the palate.

Barale Fratelli Barolo Bussia Riserva 2007 exemplifies fine Italian winemaking tradition. This red wine, hailing from the Piedmont region and meticulously crafted by the renowned Barale Fratelli estate, is a product of the finest Nebbiolo grapes cultivated in the Bussia vineyard. Displaying sophistication through maturation for five years, with three spent in large Slavonian oak casks, the Barale Fratelli Barolo Bussia Riserva 2007 exudes complexity and distinction.

This wine exhibits a deeply intense ruby colour, unfolding an array of aromatic profiles. Notes of dried rose petals, spice, and ripe red fruits pervade the senses. On the palate, it expresses well-rounded flavours of tar, licorice, and red berry fruit, harmoniously balanced with a long, elegant, tannic finish. This Barale Fratelli Barolo Bussia Riserva 2007 embodies the emblem of Barolo excellence - a blend of structure, refinement, and longevity. It's an opulent testament to the esteemed history of Barale Fratelli winery.

Jancis Robinson (17+)

Chiavennasca and 5–6% Rossola. (The DOC regulations stipulate at least 90% Chiavennasca (Nebbiolo).) Vineyard planted in the 1930s. Concentrated mid ruby. Perfumed, deep and concentrated nose, with a hint of savoury spice. Well-stitched, more rounded and a little less edgy than the Sol, but with impressive juicy, fluid red fruit and long, finely chiselled tannins. Very long, elegant and supple. (WS)

Jancis Robinson (17+)

Field blend of Chiavennasca (Nebbiolo), Rossola, Pignola, Brugnola and Negrera, all rare local varieties. Fermented in stainless steel with indigenous yeast without added SO2 (which is added only at bottling). Total of 20 days on the skins. Part of the wine was aged on the fine lees in stainless steel and part in concrete. ‘We macerate for a shorter time in warm years, but longer in cooler years to get softer tannins. In warmer years there is just no need and with longer maceration in warm years you lose freshness.’ Cask sample 1: Youthful mid ruby. Pure and focused red-fruit nose with a little lift and a hint of raw meat. Succulent and a little vibrant on the attack. Savoury, sappy, red-fruit finish with soft, coating tannins. Refreshing and original. Cask sample 2: Just mid ruby. A little deeper with minerally, earthy notes and hints of iron. Vibrant, lifted raspberry fruit and sandpapery tannins. Truly complementary to cask sample 1. (WS)

Jancis Robinson (17+)

Same winemaking as the regular Valtellina. Cask sample. Lustrous mid ruby. Really pretty perfumed nose with great focus. Concentrated but fine. Succulent, minerally fruit with a saline note on the finish. Fine, long-lasting, clinging tannins. (WS)

James Suckling (96)

A polished and reserved Castello with cherry, orange-peel and chocolate aromas and flavors. Tight and round-tannined, in a very subtle and curated way. The precision in this wine is impressive. Needs time to open. Try after 2025.

James Suckling (99)

This has an intensely perfumed nose of lavender, sandalwood, dried cherries, blueberries, creme de cassis, bay leaves, walnuts and stones. Full-bodied with polished, well-integrated tannins and a layered, silky and concentrated core of spiced and herbed fruit. Long. Intense. Fantastic already, but try in 2024.

Vinous (94)

I admit I have never really found much to admire in the 1988 vintage in Piedmont. Perhaps that is because 1989 and 1990 are both of such high quality, while 1985, 1986 and even at times 1987 are all more distinctive. With that in mind, Mascarello’s 1988 Barolo is a truly enchanting and seductive wine. Absolutely haunting in its beauty, the 1988 offers up a classic bouquet of dried rose petal, tar, anise, orange peel and bright red stone fruit, with the translucent, weightlessness that only Nebbiolo and Pinot Noir can deliver. Crystalline and pure, the 1988 has enough balance to drink well for another decade, even if it doesn’t have the sheer weight of some of the surrounding vintages. The 1988 is striking when it is first opened and it is just as beautiful several hours later. What a wine!