Acclaim

“Very grapey with floral and berry character. Medium body, soft tannins and a flavorful finish. A little light at the end. Drink now.” – James Suckling, Mar. 2016

“Cascina Bongiovanni’s 2012 Barolo is soft, forward and juicy, with plenty of near-term appeal. As always, the estate’s straight Barolo is very much fruit-driven in style, something that plays to the overall personality of the year. Succulent red cherry, spice, new oak and plum shape the pliant, expressive finish. Drink this punchy, racy Barolo over the next decade. This is one of the best Barolos readers will find in its price range. It is a terrific choice in settings that require immediate pleasure, like restaurants.” -Antonio Galloni Mar. 2016

“Marcarini’s 2012 Barolo La Serra is very pretty, soft and understated. Exotic spices, orange peel, rosewater and dried flowers all lift from the glass in a mid-weight, gracious Barolo endowed with lovely precision and a real sense of understated grace. Silky, lifted and aromatic, the 2012 is quite appealing, even at this early stage. The tannins are precise and chiseled in classic La Serra style, but the wine’s mid-weight personality makes the 2012 unusually accessible early. The slightly forward color and medium-bodied structure suggests the 2012 won’t be a long-term ager, although it is quite expressive today. Issues with hail lowered yields by 10-15%.” -Antonio Galloni Mar. 2016

“Aromas of ripe strawberry, violet, rose petal and sandalwood follow through a full body, round and very silky tannins and a long and linear finish. The tannin texture caresses for minutes. Better in 2020.” – James Suckling, Mar. 2016

“The 2012 Barolo Sorì Ginestra is one of the more understated wines I have tasted here in some time. Silky, pliant and expressive, the 2012 boasts considerable aromatic presence to match its overall weight and intensity on the palate. A host of lavender, smoke, mint, plum, spice and savory herb overtones add the closing shades of nuance.” — Antonio Galloni Mar. 2016

“Fascinating aromas of dried red chili, strawberry, red berry and cedar follow through to a full body, firm and silky tannins and a long and flavorful finish. Reserved. Better in 2019.” – James Suckling, Mar. 2016

“The 2012 Barolo Vigna del Gris is lifted, perfumed and refined. Sweet floral notes meld into a core of red-fleshed fruit, tobacco, mint and spices, with attractive citrus-infused overtones that add brightness. This is an especially mid-weight, gracious Barolo from ConternoFantino. There is a lot to like in the wine’s precision and overall nuance. This sandy site tends to produce refined, perfumed aromatic Barolos, which is exactly what readers will find here.” — Antonio Galloni Mar. 2016

“Aromas of dried meat, plum and sage leaf follow through to a full body, yet it’s tight and tannic. Firm, chewy and polished tannins. Closed. Needs three years to open. Try in 2019.” – James Suckling, Mar. 2016

“The 2012 Barolo Mosconi is striking, partly because it has less of the tannic heft that has made it so forbidding in the past. Beautifully perfumed and pliant throughout, the 2012 possesses terrific overall balance and plenty of style. Savory herbs, menthol, new leather and licorice flesh out on the radiant, super-inviting finish. This is an impeccable, beautifully-balanced Barolo from Conterno-Fantino.” — Antonio Galloni Mar. 2016

“Fuligni’s 2011 Brunello di Montalcino is a delightful wine that excels both in terms of its generosity and its approachability. It’s easy to drink the whole bottle, glass after glass. The warmer vintage has shaped soft and rich fruit flavors that are enduring and enticing. Spice, leather and tangy tobacco fill in the rear adding dimension and aromatic substance. The mouthfeel shows great textural richness and a sudden spot of bright acidity. This is an honest, upfront and utterly enjoyable Brunello.” -Monica Larner, Wine Advocate, Mar. 2016