Producer: Dehours et Fils
The Dehours Champagne Brut Grand Rèserve is the result of an assemblage of Meunier Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with a great percentage of vin de rèserve, fermented according to Solera methods, embraced by Jerome in 1998.
Producer: Gerard Perseval
Gérard Perseval combines his extensive knowledge of biodynamic viticulture and his profound respect for nature to create structured and complex wines, treasures in bottles capable of exciting the senses.
Producer: Jacquesson
2017, the harvest from Ay, Dizy, Hautvillers (66%) Avize and Oiry (34%). Winter and Spring were exceptionally dry; the beginning of Spring was mild but, in April, destructive frosts ravaged the vineyards, especially in the Côte des Blancs. Temperatures then rose and the weather was good until July. The end of the growing season was hot but very wet. The...
Producer: Bouquin Dupont Fils
A wonderful champagne, 100% Chardonnay of Avize from vineyards more than 60 years old. A base of citrus fruit melted with the scent, and taste, of a custard where there are also two drops of lemon juice. Delicious and enjoyable.
Producer: Jurij Fiore & Figlia
The 2020 Chianti Classico Sonocosì is bright, fresh and light in body, all of which make it a good choice for drinking now and over the next decade or so. This north-facing site at 550 meters in altitude yields a lithe, aromatically expressive Classico loaded with character. Vinification and aging in oak keeps the flavors vibrant.
Producer: Podere Poggio Scalette
This is the wine conceived and desired by Vittorio Fiore after long years of study and working experience, and it is the result of an exceptional pairing and synergy: Sangiovese and the Ruffoli vineyards in Greve in Chianti.
Producer: Podere Poggio Scalette
The 2018 Il Carbonaione is one of the most elegant editions of this flagship wine I can remember tasting. Il Carbonaione is usually a rich, bombastic wine, but the 2018 is sleek, gracious and remarkably refined.
Producer: Podere Poggio Scalette
The 2019 Il Carbonaione is silky and racy in the glass. Scents of new oak are a clear sign the 2019 doesn't quite have the density of the very best years, but Il Carbonaione has a brilliant track record of aging.
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The Barolo made from Luigi Pira brings together power and sensuality, with striking inner sweetness and impeccable balance. Succulent red cherry and spice gradually open up in an expressive Barolo that will need a few years to be at its very best.
Producer: Giacomo Conterno
The 2008 Barolo Riserva Monfortino is one of my favorite recent vintages. It is the product of an exceptionally long and cool growing year marked by a highly unusual cold snap at the very end of the season. 99 points Galloni.
Producer: Ferdinando Principiano
Ferdinando Principiano's Barolo Ravera 2018 is a splendid expression of an area that punctually produces excellent wines. It is a Barolo born from an indissoluble relationship between man, soil and vines.
Producer: Angelo Gaja
Bright deep ruby. Precise, vibrant, deeply spicy aromas of blackberry, bitter chocolate and violet, lifted by a minty nuance. A wine of explosive sweetness of fruit and great depth; large-scaled but quite suave and light on its feet.
Producer: Bartolo Mascarello
The 2017 Barolo is gracious, perfumed and very nicely lifted. An effusive, floral bouquet opens first, followed by a rush of red berry fruit. Nervous, a bit wiry at this stage, the 2017 is going to need at least a few years to fully open, but all the elements are in place to allow that to happen.
Producer: Bartolo Mascarello
Mascarello’s 2007 Barolo shows just how compelling this vintage can be. The wine is voluptuous with an engaging personality impossible to resist. Sure, 2007 is not a classic vintage, but when a wine is this good, who cares?
Producer: Giacomo Conterno
The 2015 Barbera d'Alba Francia is fabulous. Silky, supple and radiant, with no hard edges and exceptional balance, the 2015 comes across as a bit shy today, and yet there is so much to like.
Producer: Cappellano
Cappellano’s 2007 Barolo Otin Fiorin Piè Rupestris-Nebioli is a real head-turner. Gloriously ripe and opulent, the 2007 fleshes out beautifully in the glass, with ample fruit to match its broad, sweeping personality. Simply put, the 2007 Rupestris embodies all the best qualities of the year. I imagine the 2007 will reward readers with many years of fine...
Producer: Produttori del Barbaresco
The 2014 Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà is powerful, dense and explosive, with tremendous intensity of fruit and structure. The Rabajà is a powerful, towering wine endowed with massive structure and intensity to burn.
Producer: Giuseppe Rinaldi
Moderately saturated medium red. Decadent, expressive, highly complex nose combines cherry liqueur, mocha, white pepper, sage, rosemary and cinnamon. At once silky and penetrating, with a bit less of the saline, earthy side of the 2008 and more cherry liqueur character.
Producer: Produttori del Barbaresco
The 2017 Barbaresco Muncagota is one of the lighter wines in this range. Floral and medium in body, the 2017 gives the impression of a wine that will open earlier than some of th eothers. Crushed flowers, sweet red cherry, mint and white pepper linger.
Producer: Giacomo Conterno
The 2017 Barbera d'Alba Francia is ravishingly beautiful. Silky, sensual and impeccably polished, with tremendous palate presence. The richness of the warm, dry year is very much in evidence, and yet the wine is superb.
Producer: Aldo Conterno
Searing tannins dominate in the 2013 Barolo Cicala has good depth and persistence in the glass, but I am not sure that is a good thing, as the elements of the wine that are persistent are not at all pleasant.
Producer: Ca' del Baio
The 2019 Barbaresco Autinbej is a very pretty wine for drinking now and over the next handful of years. Dark red berry fruit, spice, leather, tobacco and cedar all build with time in the glass, giving the 2019 lovely textural richness and resonance. This is very nicely done.
Producer: Giuseppe Rinaldi
Rinaldi's 2015 Barolo Brunate is a powerful, dense wine. Hints of spice, licorice and cherry develop with time in the glass. The power and intensity of the year are very much in evidence in this amazing Brunate.
Producer: Produttori del Barbaresco
The 2017 Barbaresco Riserva Ovello is a heady, explosive wine. I don't think I have ever tasted an Ovello from the Produttori with this much heft. The strong mineral and saline accents typical of this site are present, but they are matched pound for pount by notable mid-palate richness and intensity.
Producer: Giacomo Conterno
A wine of breadth and grandeur, the 2010 boasts tremendous depth in every dimension. Time in the glass brings out kirsch, rose petal, menthol, leather and mocha nuances, but the 2010 is ultimately a wine to adore for its complete and profound beauty. From magnum it is truly mesmerizing. 100 points Antonio Galloni
The Barolo made from Luigi Pira brings together power and sensuality, with striking inner sweetness and impeccable balance. Succulent red cherry and spice gradually open up in an expressive Barolo that will need a few years to be at its very best.
