Acclaim

“The 2012 Barolo Rapèt is delicate, elegant and gracious, with all of the sensuality that is such a calling card for the vintage. Crushed flowers, sweet red berries, mint and anise all lift from the glass. This is an especially feminine Serralunga Barolo with plenty of near and medium term appeal. The 2012 doesn’t appear to be built for the very long haul, but it is quite pretty today. Hints of white pepper, cranberry and orange peel add brightness on the finish. The Rapèt is a bit more lifted in style than the Cerretta.” – 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

“Conti Costanti has a proven track record for quality and consistency. The 2011 Brunello di Montalcino opens to a beautiful ruby color and great aromatic integrity. The bouquet presents a quick succession of fresh fruit aromas, cherry cola, licorice, dried ginger and pine nut. All of those elements are delicate and expertly balanced against one another. In the mouth, this Brunello shows a clean and streamlined style with very good length.” -Monica Larner, Wine Advocate, Mar. 2016

“This is a spectacular effort. The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Riserva shows deep, inner intensity and lovely aromatic characteristics that are very true to the mighty Sangiovese grape. You can’t go wrong with a wine like this, especially if you are seeking the true flavors of Montalcino. The aromas are presented in neat and tidy fashion with wild berry, blue flower, spice and herb that converge to create a united front. In the mouth, the wine delivers ample power and momentum with dark flavors and firm structure. The wine need another few years of bottle aging to flesh out further.” -Monica Larner, Wine Advocate, Mar. 2016

“Einaudi’s 2012 Barolo Cannubi is another huge, intense wine. Big, rich and explosive in style, the 2012 possesses notable depth and concentration in a style that is shockingly rich for Cannubi. There isn’t a whole lot of subtlety here, but there is plenty of power. Here, too, readers will have to be patient. Still, I don’t expect the 2012 will ever be particularly polished.” -Antonio Galloni Mar. 2016