Vinous (94+)

Pale, bright lemon-yellow. Flamboyant orange zest and stone aromas come across as a bit more exotic than those of the Genevrières. On the palate, the wine's creamy soft citrus fruit is energized by powerful sappy minerality. There's great stuffing here but this very long, palate-staining wine will need time in bottle.

Vinous (94)

Pale, bright yellow. Full, powerful aromas of peach, orange and minerals; ripe, inviting and quintessential Meursault. Then broad and aromatic but classically dry in the middle palate, with captivating orange and tangerine fruit dominating. Opens dramatically on the back half to showcase the silkiness and gras of Meursault, but the long finish features superb grip. This was very promising from barrel, and it's even better in bottle.

Crafted in the esteemed Burgundy region of France, the Comtesse de Cherisey Meursault 1er Cru Blagny La Genelotte 2016 is a masterful example of viticulture finesse. This radiant white wine embodies the time-honoured traditions of its monopole vineyard, nestled within Meursault's Blagny sub-region. With meticulous cultivation practices, Comtesse de Cherisey yields immaculate Chardonnay grapes that capture the region's terroir exquisitely.

Undergoing cautious vinification in French oak barrels, this enticing nectar lends itself to elegant complexity. Predominantly mineral, the palate unravels with tropical fruit and floral notes, sung alongside a harmonious, creamy length. The 2016 vintage, marked by its favourable growing conditions, delivers an exceptional balance of opulence and acidity.

The ensemble of traditional and avant-garde techniques undertaken by the revered Comtesse de Cherisey Meursault 1er Cru Blagny La Genelotte estate manages to create a truly distinctive tasting experience with the 2016 vintage. One that will captivate white Burgundy aficionados and discerning collectors alike.

From the famed vineyards of Monforte d'Alba, the exquisite Conterno Fantino Barolo Castelletto Pressenda 2016 is the very essence of finely crafted Barolo. An ode to elegant winemaking, it's a product of Conterno Fantino, revered for their adherence to low-yield viticulture and meticulous, eco-friendly cultivation methods. This impeccable 2016 vintage boasts a rich, full-bodied profile, characterised by intense garnet hues, complex, encompassing fragrances and fruity notes underlined by a refined mineral quality.

In utter harmony, velvety tannins compliment its lingering, densely flavoured finish, a tribute to the careful 24-month ageing in French oak barrels. The expressive terroir of Castelletto, the south-east facing vineyard from which it hails, lends it added sophistication and structure. Undoubtedly, Conterno Fantino Barolo Castelletto Pressenda 2016 stands as an exemplary ambassador of the Piedmont region's celebrated Nebbiolo grapes. For lovers of sublime Italian wines, this Barolo signals an invitation to transcendence.

deeply expressive, the Conterno Fantino Barolo Ginestra Vigna Gris 2016 is a fine red hailing from the renowned Barolo wine region in Italy. Crafted by the esteemed Conterno Fantino, this wine is a testament to meticulous viniculture. The grapes cultivated in the late harvest of 2016, were handpicked from the acclaimed 'Ginestra Vigna Gris' vineyard located in Monforte d'Alba. Potioned using traditional methods, the wine matured for 24 months in French oak barrels, encapsulating the rich essence of Nebbiolo grapes.

The result is a spectacular garnet red with a hint of orange, presenting an opulent bouquet of wild red berries, liquorice, truffle and savoury balsamic note. On the palate, it's powerful with complex tannins, well-balanced acidity and a lingering finish. Whether it's your first or fiftieth Conterno Fantino Barolo, the Ginestra Vigna Gris 2016 remains a distinguished choice for all discerning wine enthusiasts.

Vinous (95)

The 2017 Barolo Mosconi Vigna Ped is deep, resonant and expansive, as wines from this site tend to be. In this tasting, the Mosconi is wonderfully deep. Its stature alone is compelling. And yet there is so much to the Mosconi. Readers will find a Barolo that melds together a rich, racy expression of fruit with plenty of structure that wraps everything together. Rich red fruit, blood orange, tar, spice and cedar build as the 2017 gains volume through to the finish.

Easily one of the best value wines in its class, there is not a hair out of place in this elegant, classic and well-constructed Capalot. Showing the ineffable elegance of one of the finest terroirs in La Morra, this is an overachiever in ever sense of the word, a new producer working great soil with world class quality and thoroughly overdelivering on price.

A wine that punches well above its weight, challenging many a cru La Morra for elegance, balance and longevity in its structure, this is a well-made wine that offers an eloquent insight in to the charms of this most elegant of terroirs making up the patchwork quilt of Barolo. Fine, juicy red and black berry fruit and a subtle floral bitterness to the palate make this essential reading for the vintage.

James Suckling (99)

The aromas of this wine are perfect with decadent and wild fragrances of sliced fresh mushrooms, truffles, blackberries. Incredible complexity. Full and balanced. Racy, refined and amazing. The spirit of Cannubi. Drink or hold. But why wait?

James Suckling (99)

Incredible, reserved ripeness and depth already evident on the nose after one whiff, offering plum, cedar, rose hip, sandalwood, and licorice. Full-bodied with superb depth of fruit and an abundance of polished tannins that give the wine poise and grace, even though it’s long and powerful. The quality of the tannins are exceptional. Sheer and refined. This comes from the center of Cannubi. Aged five years in Stockinger cask. Better after 2026.

James Suckling (98)

The fruit feels so comfortable here, in the ripe-red zone; it ranges from cherry kernel to chocolate-coated red plums to glazed cherries. Integrated hints of bark and sandalwood. Full-bodied with strapping tannins and muscular, imposing structure and power. Notwithstanding, everything is in striking balance and delivered with remarkable precision and grit. Drink from 2026.

Vinous (91-93)

(25% new oak): Bright yellow. A touch of reduction but still a captivating fruitiness to the aromas and flavors of lemon, lime and crushed stone. Rich, savory, concentrated wine with a restrained sweetness and enlivening underlying minerality. More tactile, pliant and deep than the Poruzots. This silky, edge-free wine finishes classically dry and long, with lovely lemony lift and grip.

Vinous (95)

Conterno's 2017 Barolo Ginestra is a wine of gravitas and pure power. All of the muscle of Ginestra comes through loud and clear. I am not sure the tannins will ever fully soften - this is Ginestra after all - but there is certainly plenty of depth. To be honest, today I find the Comune bottling to have better balance and more finesse.

Wine Advocate (94+)

The classic 2016 Barolo by Domenico Clerico is a generous and full wine that offers a panoramic view of the Nebbiolo grape all in bright Technicolor and with the appropriate intensity. The wine's all-encompassing approach brings many details into focus, including wild cherry, spice, leather and ferrous soil. Fruit is exclusively from Monforte d'Alba, with some from the lower parts of Pajana and Per Cristina and some from the younger vines planted in Ciabot Mentin. This is an elegant expression with the mild oak signature that is an important part of the Clerico playlist. Camphor ash and burnt embers lift lightly as the wine opens in the glass. It ages in barrique for eight months, followed by another year in larger oak casks. Some 20,000 bottles were released.

Jeb Dunnuck (97)

The 2017 Barolo Arborina is introspective on opening, before beginning to unfurl and release a bouquet of cassis, espresso, brushed leather, and violets. The palate is full without weight and is inviting with ripe black cherry, cocoa powder, and cedar. The tannins are fine and polished, with an undeniable luxurious quality and refinement. Hold 3-5 years and drink 2025-2050.

Wine Advocate (92+)

This is a new wine that was only made in this vintage to address low yields and difficult growing conditions. In truth, it was also produced in 2002 for the same reasons. The 2014 Barolo is a blend of Nebbiolo grapes from the Grasso family's best vineyard sites: Casa Maté and Gavarini Chiniera. In a very happy and nostalgic way, this wine brings us back in time to when Barolo was more streamlined and linear in style. The limestone-rich soils of Gavarini Chiniera give the wine its aromatic profile with delicate tones of wild berry and blue flower. The Casa Maté site provides the robust texture and structure you taste here. This wine was designed to be offered at a lower price point (that's great news for us!). It offers an accessible personality that makes it easy to enjoy at your favorite Italian restaurant. I put the plus sign next to my score to underline the value you get here.

Wine Advocate (98)

The 2010 Barolo Gavarini Chiniera is an amazing wine born 430 meters above sea level from white limestone and sandy soils. The elegance expressed by the wine is unforgettable. It opens to a pretty garnet color with ethereal tones of licorice and balsam herb with sharp, delineated contours. This vineyard is usually harvested later than the others, so the growing cycle is extra long and steady. The wine is silky, finessed and profound. Drink: 2018-2040.

Wine Advocate (98)

The 2010 Barolo Gavarini Chiniera is an amazing wine born 430 meters above sea level from white limestone and sandy soils. The elegance expressed by the wine is unforgettable. It opens to a pretty garnet color with ethereal tones of licorice and balsam herb with sharp, delineated contours. This vineyard is usually harvested later than the others, so the growing cycle is extra long and steady. The wine is silky, finessed and profound. Drink: 2018-2040.

Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)

The 2012 Barolo Gavarini Chiniera is one of the most beautiful, precise wines of the vintage. Finely cut and chiseled, the Gavarini exudes energy and tension, both signatures of this high-altitude, Monforte site. Crushed flowers, dark red berries, mint and crushed rocks are some of the signatures. So many 2012s are open-knit, but Grasso's Gavarini is going to need at least several years in barrel. If anything, the 2012 is a bit austere, but I say that in the best sense of the word. Exotic, alluring and totally stunning, the 2012 is a real knock-out.

Vinous (96)

The 2013 Barolo Gavarini Chiniera is much showier than the Ginestra Casa Matè. An ample, resonant Barolo, the Gavarini Chiniera exudes richness from the get-go. Macerated cherry, kirsch, wild flowers and mint are some of the many notes that are laced together. Ripe, silky tannins add to the wine's considerable raciness. I am somewhat surprised by how well this gorgeous wine is showing today.

James Suckling (98)

Extremely perfumed, showing lots of rose, lavender and dark-berry character. Full body with intense density and chewiness that gives the wine great structure. Lots of flavor and focus at the finish. Needs five to six years to finish. Drink in 2024.

James Suckling (98)

Extremely perfumed, showing lots of rose, lavender and dark-berry character. Full body with intense density and chewiness that gives the wine great structure. Lots of flavor and focus at the finish. Needs five to six years to finish. Drink in 2024.

Vinous (96.5)

The 2016 Barolo Gavarini Chiniera is a vibrant, massively tannic, austere wine, the likes of which I have never tasted here before. Vertical and explosive in the glass with tons of pure power, the 2016 Gavarini Chiniera is a gorgeous Barolo that is going to need a number of years to be at its best. Swaths of tannin wrap around a core of sweet red cherry fruit. White pepper, mint, orange peel and floral notes develop a bit later, but the 2016 remains reticent and inward, with brilliant acids and tannins that dominate today. The 2016 is a striking wine, but it is going to require considerable patience.

Vinous (96)

Grasso's 2017 Barolo Gavarini Chiniera is fabulous. In fact, the Gavarini is easily one of the wines of the vintage because it retains all of its classic signatures, which is also the sign of a first-class vineyard. Bright and vibrant in the glass, the Gavarini pulses with energy. Crushed red flowers, mint, chalk, white pepper, cinnamon and orange peel give the 2017 a super-classic Nebbiolo profile, as expressed in a relatively high-altitude site. The precision and finesse of the tannins - so hard to find in 2017- elevates the Gavarini into the realm of the sublime.

Vinous (96)

The 2019 Barolo Gavarini Chiniera is classically austere and just gorgeous right out of the gate. Soaring aromatics and fine, sculpted fruit race out of the glass. Crushed rose petal, cinnamon, orange peel and mint are all beautifully delineated. Readers will have to be patient, as the 2019 is going to need years to be at its best, yet it has that embryonic inner sweetness that characterizes the very finest wines here. Superb.

Vinous (97)

Dark red cherries, plums, smoke, tar, menthol and licorice all take shape in the 2010 Barolo Ginestra Vigna Casa Matè. Today the 2010 is painfully young and less expressive than the Gavarini, but equally promising. A generous, resonant wine, the 2010 blossoms in all directions with seemingly endless layers of dark, balsamic-inflected fruit. Today, the Casa Matè is closed and shut down, but it has all the qualities to develop into a spectacular Barolo. The future is bright, especially for readers who can be patient.

Wine Advocate (96)

The 2013 Barolo Ginestra Casa Maté does a great job of portraying its vineyard characteristics. This single vineyard is located at higher altitudes with thicker clay soils. This combination helps to build the wine's intensity, structure and muscle. It undergoes 45 days of submerged cap fermentation. Dark cherry and blackberry open the bouquet. These aromas are followed by spice, smoke, iron and crushed mineral. The robust nature of those aromas makes for a beautiful contrast to the fine, silky and more delicate (relatively speaking) nature of the mouthfeel.

Wine Advocate (97)

There is slightly more structure to the 2015 Barolo Ginestra Casa Maté than to the Gavarini Chiniera of the same vintage, and the only differences here are the soils and that this fruit is harvested about ten days later. It's a pretty fascinating demonstration of the power of the single vineyard. The Gavarini Chiniera parcel offers slightly sandier soils, whereas this site is composed of more clay. In rainy years, the Gavarini Chiniera vineyard drains more effectively, whereas the Ginestra's soil retains more moisture in the hot and dry vintages. As a result, in vintages such as this one, Ginestra shows a more compact nature and, in general, provides more impact and more structure. This is a very robust expression, extremely linear and tight. The Ginestra Casa Maté narrowly wins this round. It's another beautiful Barolo.

Wine Advocate (97)

There is slightly more structure to the 2015 Barolo Ginestra Casa Maté than to the Gavarini Chiniera of the same vintage, and the only differences here are the soils and that this fruit is harvested about ten days later. It's a pretty fascinating demonstration of the power of the single vineyard. The Gavarini Chiniera parcel offers slightly sandier soils, whereas this site is composed of more clay. In rainy years, the Gavarini Chiniera vineyard drains more effectively, whereas the Ginestra's soil retains more moisture in the hot and dry vintages. As a result, in vintages such as this one, Ginestra shows a more compact nature and, in general, provides more impact and more structure. This is a very robust expression, extremely linear and tight. The Ginestra Casa Maté narrowly wins this round. It's another beautiful Barolo.