I Monprivato-marken

Visit at Brovia, May 2009

Another great visit with the Brovias. As usual, Alex was a great guide, and guided us through the cellar and the tasting. The highligt for me was the Barolo Rocche 2005, which is at LEAST at the same level as the outstanding 2004. The 2005 seemed a bit "fleshier" and broad, with a great tannin structure.

Rocche 2008 in barrel (this is the only barrel of Rocche 2008)

Massolino, Barolo 2004

A very nice "normale" from Massolino. Light ruby red color. Notes of raspberries, tar and licorice.

Visiting Luciano Sandrone

Entrance door to the estate of Luciano Sandrone

A visit to Sandrone is always a great pleasure, and the modesty of mr. Luciano Sandrone and Barbara Sandrone is stunning. The hospitality and generousity is second to none.

This time I had the chance to retaste the line-up, including the two 2004 Barolo, Cannubi Boschis and Le Vigne.

Barbara & Luciano Sandrone

Pelissero Barbaresco, Nubiola 2001

From one of my favorite value producers. This one sees oak for 18 months - a mix of 30/40 hl cask and 225 lt. barriques, approximately 50/5o - followed by 9 months in bottle.

Bottle was popped and poured.

Bright red colour with a yellow hued rim. Very nice earthy smell with mushrooms followed by bright red fruit. The first sip is tight and the tannins characteristic of this vintage really shows. After some time in the glass, some secondary aromas come to the front. black cherries and roses. The aftertaste is long and theres is still a lot of tannins in this wine; if you have some of these, please leave them for at least 2 years more.

Barolo 2004

Well, time to write a bit again. Been busy working (and tasting - will post some notes, when I get around to it).

The 2004 vintage is already hyped and the top Baroli are receiving a lot of attention. Sandrone, "our" producer, got 98 and 96 points from Galloni, for the Cannubi Boschis and the Le Vigne. I believe that all the 2004's are worth buying into. Off course the top wines are great, but the prices will be up theres as well, but the second tier Baroli will be great as well, and probably more reasonably priced. I guess my Giacosa collection won't be growing much, as the prices are hitting the roof now.

Brief notes from the Barolo tasting

Corregia Barbera d'Alba Marun 1999 We started with this as a pirate: Have only tasted Marun a few times, unfortunately, but I am always very impressed by this wine. It has a heaviness to it that is balanced by is purity. Even with 8 years to it, it was showing real well and will probably last a few more years

And then the Nebbiolo started rolling in. They where tasted in pairs with a theme.

2003 Barolos
Ceretto, Brunate 2003 Have to admit that the 2003 vintage is not one of my favorites, but the Ceretto was a pleasant surprise to all. I found it to have a subdued, cool nose with some nice plum and tobacco notes. In the mouth is was very elegant with lots of dark fruit. A very stylish Barolo and one of the 2003s that is really recommendable.
Elio Altate 2003 (normale) Altare was more clumsy and with a dark, heavy sweetness to it. The alcohol was all in front and the wine was not very balanced. (Not sure if this was an off bottle, but it really did'nt show well).

Modern vs. traditional Barolo
Giuseppe e Figlio Mascarello, Monprivato 2000 Light colour. A funky nose with peaches?...and red berries, but clearly an off bottle. (A backup bottle was corked.... )
Paolo Scavino, Bric del Fiasc 2000 Very nice heavy, dark fruit on the nose. Taste was in perfect balance and it was really a pleasure to drink.

Modern producer, two different vineyards (my first Pira's)
Luigi Pira, Marenca 2001 Heavy fruit and burnt rubber. The taste had nice black fruit, leather and a flowery aftertaste.
Luigi Pira, Rionda 2001 A weird nose with burnt rubber. Again?…the taste was quite different: It had bright red fruit, redcurrant, alcohol and iron. 4.

Traditional producer, two different vineyards My first Cappellano’s (except for the Barolo Chinato)
Cappellano Pie Rupestris 2001 A little light on the nose. It is a bit closed and doesn’t give much in the taste.(2nd day the wine was more open a more similar to its sibling)
Cappellano Pio Franco 2001 Great, great traditional stuff. Not big and bold, but just very elegant and soft with coffee, leather - Just a real pleasurable wine5.

Two big boys from 2001
Aldo Conterno, Granbussia 2001 A bit more closed, than when I had this in May. But still it was quite open for a 2001. Nice cherry note in the nose. Very approachable in the beginning, but after an hour it tightened up.
Bruno Giacosa, Le Rocche del Falletto di Serralunga Riserva 2001 This is huge. It’s like a brooding giant and it almost scared me. At first (we tasted it blind against the Granbussia) I had them confused, but the grafite, iron tones was in front after about 2 minutes in the glass. This is really a great wine, that just is 15-20 years to young. *

Two old guys
Azienda Ceretto, Barolo Vigneto Pittatore Cannubi 1971 Ahhh....well, its a goner...hoped it would behave (good vintage and all) but it was just not good
Giuseppe Mascarello e Figlio, Monprivato 1976 From a less than average vintage, the Monprivato actually is still holding on. Brick coloured and light. Classic nose of tag and violets. Not huge and bold, but very elegant. The finish is a bit tannic and it dries out.

Not my greatest old Barolo (but well, thats compared to Giacosa 1967, Marchesi di Barolo 1947/1949, so its hard competition..)

All in all a fun tasting (or really just a get-together). It was really interesting to have all the differents styles of Baroli.