Acclaim

“The 2015 Barolo Vigna del Gris is a wine of brightness, tension and energy. As is often the case, the Gris is a bit nervous and less generous, especially on the mid-palate, than the other wines in the range. I would give it a few years in bottle to open up, but I imagine the Gris will always be a bit compact in feel. Pine, menthol, spice, licorice and black cherry lead in the somewhat nervous finish. Think of the Vigna del Gris as a Piedmontese version of a Volnay.” – Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Feb. 15, 2018

“The 2015 Barolo Mosconi is deep, succulent and richly-textured on the palate. The intensity, power and gravitas of Mosconi comes through in a wine of dark, brooding intensity. Smoke, leather, scorched earth, tar and licorice add to the wine’s distinctly virile personality. I would prefer to drink it on the earlier side.” – Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Feb. 15, 2018

“The 2015 Barolo Brunate is powerful, dense and tightly wound. That should not be much of an issue, as the 2015 will be released later than normal, a path Marcarini will take gradually over the next few years with the goal of releasing the wine two years later than they had previously. Dark and hulking in the glass, the 2015 is clearly not in the mood to show all of its cards today. Iron, smoke, menthol, game, dried rose petal and soil tones give the Brunate its brooding, inward personality.” – Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Feb. 15, 2018

“The 2015 Barolo La Serra is wonderfully silky, aromatic and refined, with all of the lift that is such a signature of this high-altitude La Morra site. Flowers, sweet red cherry, spice, tobacco and cedar are wonderfully delineated. Even more importantly, the aggressive tannins that once often penalized this wine are pretty much absent, a change Marcarini ascribes to gentler handling of the fruit during the initial part of fermentation. This is very nicely done.” – Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Feb. 15, 2018

“Here in its first vintage, the 2015 Barolo Bussia is positively stellar. The natural richness of the year seems especially well-suited to the house style. Black cherry, spice, leather, smoke and licorice all run through this ample, full-bodied Barolo. Readers should expect a muscular, virile style.” – Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Feb. 15, 2018

“The 2015 Barolo Cannubi is super-polished and elegant. Rich and ample, in the style of the year, the 2015 has quite a bit of volume, but the aromatics and silky tannins are very clearly those of Cannubi. Rose petal, sweet red cherry, blood orange, spice and mint add lovely top notes. Today, the 2015 gives the impression it will drink well early and mature at a relatively fast pace.” – Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Feb. 15, 2018

“The 2015 Barolo Ludo is a gorgeous entry-level bottling from Einaudi. Fruity, supple and engaging, the Ludo is a terrific choice for drinking now and over the next decade or so. Succulent red cherry, plum and sweet spice notes are all pushed forward. The Ludo is built on a core of fruit from Terlo, with smaller pieces from Cannubi, Bussia and Zuncai. Shorter fermentations exalt the fruit.” – Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Feb. 15, 2018

“The 2015 Barolo Terlo Vigna Costa Grimaldi is a powerful, bombastic wine. Smoke, leather, tobacco, dried flowers and menthol add an attractive savory edge to the dark Nebbiolo flavors in this muscular, virile Barolo. A wine with shoulders and breadth, the 2015 needs a few years to unwind, but if has quite a bit of potential. I imagine it will always remain a bit burly in its tannic structure and overall feel.” – Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Feb. 15, 2018

“The 2015 Barolo from Cascina Bongiovanni is bright, floral and nicely lifted, all of which make it an excellent choice for drinking now and over the next few years. All the elements are nicely balanced. This is an especially silky, fruity, soft Barolo. I would prefer to drink it sooner rather than later.” – Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Feb. 15, 2018

“The 2015 Barbaresco Chiaramanti is a supple, easygoing wine with lovely purity of fruit and terrific overall harmony. Succulent red and purplish berry fruit and soft contours give this mid-weight, gracious Barbaresco much of its sheer appeal. In 2015, the Chiaramanti is a winner.” – Antonio Galloni, Vinous, Feb. 15, 2018