Vinous (95+)

Vajra's 2010 Barolo is striking. Freshly cut flowers, mint, crushed rocks, pine and aromatic spices all take shape in the 2010 Barolo Ravera. Vibrant and pulsating to the core, the 2010 impresses for its pure tension. Freshly cut flowers, mint and sweet spices add lift, but ultimately the 2010 is a dark, brooding Barolo that is going to require cellaring. There is so much to like here.

Vinous (96)

One of the real knock-out wines of the vintage. Vajra's 2012 Barolo Ravera possesses striking aromatics, vivid, finely sculpted fruit and exceptional balance. Dark red and purplish-hued fruits, lavender, rose petal, mint and hard candy are pushed forward in a sweet, impeccable Barolo that satisfies all the senses. Deep, exquisitely layered and powerful, the 2012 Ravera is shaping up to be a real gem. This is a Barolo to revel in. Next to the Bricco Viole, the Ravera has a bit more mid-palate creaminess and overall depth.

Vinous (95+)

The 2013 Barolo Ravera is tightly wound and austere, with tons of its energy in reserve. Lavender, violet, plum, spice and menthol are beautifully delineated throughout. In some vintages Ravera is explosive, but the 2013 is very much closed in on itself. Attractive scents of rose petal, mint, sweet red berries and chalk infuse the taut, salivating finish. My instincts say this is going to be a very special wine one day.

Jancis Robinson (17)

Novello. Tasted blind. Surprisingly dark ruby for this vintage. Brooding richness on the nose. Plenty of sour cherry on the palate and firm, somewhat drying tannins. This is still very youthful, and unsettled.

Vinous (95)

The 2015 Barolo Ravera captures all the best the vintage has to offer. More importantly, it has that extra level of textural richness and sweetness that the Bricco delle Viole does not have, at least not today. Creamy and beautifully textured in the glass, the 2015 is a total winner. Bright red raspberry and pomegranate fruit notes are lifted, while expressive floral and blood orange overtones add brightness. The 2015 suggests that the Ravera might, in time, become the flagship wine here. Don't miss it!

Wine Spectator (97)

Alluring aromas of cherry, rose and graphite settle into a core of cherry and strawberry fruit, with nuances of iron, tobacco and tar. Sleek, yet intense and complex, unfolding effortlessly through the long finish. Best from 2023 through 2047. 500 cases made.

Wine Enthusiast (97)

From the township of Novello and from what is now widely recognized as one of the denomination's top vineyard sites, this is just stunning, offering intense aromas of wild berries, new leather, floral notes, camphor and grilled herb. The delicious, structured palate shows finesse and power, featuring ripe red cherry, blood orange, cedar, licorice and mineral notes suggesting tangy iron. Noble tannins provide support. Reflecting the vintage, this won't need years to come around but will also age well for at least another decade.

Vinous (96)

The 2019 Barolo Ravera is redolent of red fruit, mint, chalk, white pepper and orange peel. A Barolo of tension and energy, the 2019 is intensely bright and saline to the core. I would not dream of touching a bottle anytime soon. This is an especially taut style, even for Vajra.

James Suckling (98)

Glorious aromas of roses, whole white truffles, earth and raspberry. Dusty. Subtle rosemary and lemon grass too. Full-bodied, tight and structured. Yet it opens and caresses every inch of your palate. So gorgeous now to drink. No Monfortino in this year; so absolutely amazing because it all went in here. Wow. Drink or hold.

Vinous (98)

The 2015 Barolo Francia is a soaring, regal wine endowed with tremendous intensity in all of its dimensions. The most reticent and inward of the 2015s, the Francia possesses superb textural density and persistence all the way through to the explosive finish. An immense, towering Barolo, the Francia is positively stellar. It is also going to require a number of years to be at its best. In recent years, the Conterno Barolo Francia has often been relatively accessible post bottling, the 2015 is far from that.

Vinous (97)

Conterno’s 2016 Barolo Francia is effusive, with a real sense of expansiveness that gives the wine breadth. Sage, mint, cedar, tobacco and strong mineral accents complement a core of dark fruit in a Barolo of real gravitas. Just bottled a few months ago, the 2016 is going through a very rare period of approachability (in relative terms). It will almost certainly shut down within the next few months. Readers who are curious will want to taste it before that happens. In 2016, Roberto Conterno did not bottle his flagship Monfortino, all the casks were blended for the Barolo Francia.

Vinous (95)

Conterno's 2017 Barolo Cerretta offers a classic expression of this Serralunga site. The tannins are just a bit nervy today, which lends a feeling of energy and brightness that is palpable. Bright floral and white pepper accents lift bright red-toned fruit in a Barolo that is wonderfully translucent and nuanced.

Wine Advocate (100)

The Giacomo Conterno 2014 Barolo Riserva Monfortino is made with 100% fruit from the Francia cru, which is not the case for the 2015 vintage (that sees 22% Arione in the blend) or likely future vintages. In a sense, this 100-point wine represents a milestone or a chapter finale in the long and exciting trajectory of Italy's collected and revered Monfortino. I've had the great fortune of tasting this wine from barrel over the course of four years and twice again this summer during my visits to the Conterno estates (in Gattinara and in Monforte d'Alba).

Vinous (95)

The 2016 Barolo Bussia is a wine of tremendous character and complexity. Menthol, lavender, black cherry, graphite, cloves and leather all open up in the glass. Virile and layered, with tons of depth, the 2016 Bussia has so much to offer. A few years in the cellar will help the tannins soften, but the 2016 is already quite expressive. It is also one of the very finest wines I have ever tasted from Fenocchio.

James Suckling (95)

Aromas of flowers and cedar with plums and beeswax. Full-bodied, chewy and very structured. Very linear and tight. Needs three or four years to come together. Try in 2023.

Vinous (93)

Ferruccio Grimaldi's 2010 Barolo is an excellent introduction to the vintage. Dark red cherry, plum, cinnamon and new leather notes emerge from the glass in a distinctive, medium-bodied Barolo. The 2010 stands out for its energy, balance and poise. Freshly cut flowers and tobacco linger on the finish. The 2010 is showing beautifully at this stage, especially if given a little aeration. Dried flowers and spices linger on the lifted finish. I very much like the sense of energy and intensity here. Grimaldi's Barolo is made from plots in Ravera and Terlo, and aged in a combination of cask and smaller French oak barrels.

Renowned for its exceptional composition and elegant nose, Giorgio Scarzello e Figli Barolo Sarmassa Merenda 2010 is a remarkable vintage. Produced in the celebrated winemaking region of Piedmont, Italy, the Nebbiolo grapes are carefully nurtured in the esteemed Scarzello vineyards in the heart of the Barolo region.

Layered with complex flavours, this exquisite wine boasts dense notes of wild cherry, ripe strawberry, and subtle tobacco, harmoniously embracing tannic structure and a lingering finish. Giorgio Scarzello, a respected vintner, has been meticulous in producing this wine, allowing it a 30-month maturation in oak barrels and further refinement in the bottle, to achieve its characteristic depth and remarkable mellowness.

The Giorgio Scarzello e Figli Barolo Sarmassa Merenda 2010 is the epitome of premium Italian wine, demonstrating an authenticity and timeless appeal that is treasured by connoisseurs worldwide. Delight in the distinguished taste of this limited-edition wine, an illustrious testament to the Scarzello family's wine-making legacy.

Vinous (94)

The 2017 Barolo Bricat is delicate, understated and very pretty. A quiet wine, the Bricat offers lovely mid-palate pliancy and depth. The tannins need to soften a bit, but that should not be an issue in another few years' time. Sweet red berry fruit pomegranate and spice nuances flesh out nicely. This soft Barolo is not an obvious wine, but it will delight readers who appreciate finesse. I very much like the brightness and floral lift here.

Vinous (96)

The 2017 Barolo Castelletto captures all of the savory and mineral complexity of this high-altitude site. Ethereal and gracious, the Castelletto has so much to offer. Pine, mint, blood orange, crushed raspberry and star anise are all finely sculpted throughout. This is one of the best Barolos I have ever tasted from Manzone. Don't miss it.

Vinous (95)

The 2017 Barolo Gramolere is broad and ample, yet retains the gracious style that is typical of the Manzone Barolos these days. The fruit profile is a bit darker, though, and there is a bit more of an oak imprint. Black cherry, new leather, menthol and spice all meld together effortlessly as the 2017 blossoms with a touch of aeration.

James Suckling (95)

This is a beautiful Giscours with tension and finesse. It's full-bodied and shows plenty of berry and spice character, not to mention a long, silky-textured finish. It seduces you with each sip. Why wait?

James Suckling (96)

Plenty of violets and dark berries on offer here. This has a striking sense of purity as well as an energetic, regal palate. The structure is impressively groomed with effortless depth and length. A standout wine. Try from 2022.

James Suckling (96-97)

The black color indicates a solid and structured red with loads of blackberry and blueberry character. Full-bodied and very tight and tensioned. Savory tannins that are powerful and intense at the finish. Classically structured. Finely toned and formed young red.

Wine Spectator (96)

A perfumed style, boasting floral, cherry, kirsch and licorice flavors. Slightly chewy, yet elegant overall, with fine balance and a lingering finish of macerated cherry, earth and tobacco notes. Shows fine length and intensity, leaving an essence of mineral. Best from 2021 through 2043. 1,941 cases made.

Vinous (93)

The 2017 Barolo Monprivato is elegant, classy and nuanced. Crushed red berry fruit, spice and blood orange lend and exotic flair to this silky, mid-weight Barolo. The 2017 loses some of its persistence with air, but it offers tons of immediacy and sheer allure. Best of all, the 2017 will drink well with minimal cellaring. This is one of the better recent vintages of Monprivato the Mascarello family has released.

Kerin O'Keefe (98)

Gorgeous, fragrant and structured, this has enticing scents of violet, camphor, orange zest and red berry. The focused palate boasts great energy, doling out strawberry compote, crushed rasbperry, cinnamon and white pepper alongside taut, elegant tannins and vibrant acidity. Just fantastic.

Kerin O'Keefe (97)

Fermented with wild yeasts, this gorgeous red opens with alluring aromas of rose petal, star anise, tobacco and ripe wild berry. The expressive, delicious palate boasts juicy fruit flavors of crushed raspberry and Morello cherry accented by truffle, baking spice and camphor. Firm but polished tannins provide support.

Immerse yourself in the world of exquisite wines with the elegant Grasso Tiziano Barolo Briccolina 2013. Originating from Italy's esteemed Piedmont region, the Grasso Tiziano estate has been renowned for its meticulously handcrafted wines since 1970. This particular vintage of Barolo Briccolina distinguishes itself with its nuanced complexity, showcasing the expert viniculture of the Grasso family.

The Grasso Tiziano Barolo Briccolina 2013 is crafted from honest Nebbiolo grapes, exclusively harvested from the Briccolina vineyard. Its maturation process embraced traditional expression, ageing in French oak barrels ensuring the perfect integration of structure and finesse. On the palate, it introduces a dazzling intrigue of ripe berries, subtle savoury notes, with whispers of truffle and spice weaving through.

Showcasing a mature, yet energetic style, this full-bodied wine is testimony to the dedication and skill that accentuates the Grasso Tiziano's legacy. The harmonious and sustained finish promises a memorable experience for the discerning wine connoisseur.