Wednesday, July 29th, 2015
Great Wine Releases of 2015
2010 Barolo, 2010 Brunello and 2011 Barbaresco
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The Great Wine Releases of 2015
Italy has certainly corned the market on wine glory this year: three of Italy’s top wine regions are releasing some of their most compelling wines this year. The wines are typically classic in style and quite expressive in their youth, with a long life ahead of them. Below we feature our list of these superb wines with special commentary by professional reviewers.
2010 Barolo
“The 2010 vintage in Barolo is shaping up to be a modern-day classic. The cool growing season produced transparent, vibrant Barolos that pulsate with tension, crystalline purity and site-specific nuance… The 2010 Barolos have all of the attributes of a cool, late-ripening vintage; expressive aromatics, chiseled fruit, plenty of site-specificity and the potential to develop beautifully for years and decades in bottle. At the same time, the wines have gorgeous depth and richness, perhaps a result of the high temperatures in July… Simply put, 2010 is the greatest young Barolo vintage I have tasted in 18 years of visiting the region and a lifetime of buying, cellaring and drinking these wines.” – Antonio Galloni
“The 2010 vintage wines from Barolo are the most complete and compelling group of wines that I’ve ever tasted from this region.” – Michael Franz, Wine Review Online
“What strikes you about 2010 Barolos is how, despite being relatively delicate and refined, they manage to show a depth of flavor and structure that suggests excellence. The best of the vintage are truly world-class… These are balanced and refined nebbiolos that give incredible pleasure now and will continue to do so for many years ahead. I love the texture and finesse of the wines with ultra-fine tannins and precise, beautiful fruit. For those who have seldom enjoyed harmonious nebbiolo, this is a vintage to buy.” – James Suckling
“This is a potentially spectacular year in a rather Burgundian fashion–a modern classic, if you will, as the cool growing season and late harvest resembled a vintage from 20 years ago.” – Stephen Tanzer
The growing season in Piedmont was unusual in 2010 especially given the successive warm vintages leading up to it. The vintage really came down to the care grape growers took in the vineyard. Green harvesting helped allow the already reduced crops ripen fully and evenly and vineyards with a greater southern exposure saw greater levels of ripening. The wines show more tension and brisker acidity, classic to a cooler vintage. The high temperatures and strong diurnal swings in July, September and October allowed the grapes to ripen fully. Many Barolo producers noticed small berry sizes in vineyards, which aided ripening and for many, resulted in wines full of restraint and elegance. Enjoy this incredibly classic vintage while it’s still available!
2010 Barolo Available Here Now
Alessandro e Gian Natale Fantino Cascina Dardi Bussia, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) $46 special, 36+ bottles available
Case-6 Alessandro e Gian Natale Fantino Cascina Dardi Bussia, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($319.95) $249 special, 4 six-packs available (that’s only $41.50/bottle!)
Case-12 Alessandro e Gian Natale Fantino Cascina Dardi Bussia, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($579.95) $469 special, 3 cases available (that’s only $39.08/bottle!)
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2010 Barolo Cascina Dardi Bussia hits all the right marks with a beautiful sense of elegance and grace that is immediately apparent. The aromas dangle in front of you, delicately and seductively, with ethereal layers of spice, blue flower, almond paste, anisette and dried cherry or wild berry. The workmanship here reflects an attention to the minute details offered by Nebbiolo. The tannins are silky and long with deeply polished texture. Barolo Cascina Dardi Bussia is a fine, poised and super-confident expression. Drink: 2016-2026.” WA
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Benevelli Piero Ravera, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 6 bottles available
Importer note “The Benevelli holdings are mostly concentrated in the southeastern-facing hillside cru of “Ravera” in the deep southeast of the Barolo zone. The wines from Ravera have the distinction of combining the structural strength of neighboring Serralunga d’Alba with the concentration and richness of Bussia and the other crus further north. Aged in second-passage barriques for one year, then in 10-year-old oak botti (40 hL, 20 hL, and 15 hL) for 15 months. Aged 8-10 months in bottle before release”
Brovia Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 17 bottles available
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2010 Barolo exhibits a controlled and steady aromatic delivery that builds in intensity and purity the longer the wine stays in the glass. In terms of Barolo, this is a grand and bold expression. Some 70% of the fruit is sourced from Serralunga d’Alba and the vines are 25 years old on average. The bouquet delivers rose, balsam herb, dried fruit and plum. The fruit is well delineated and the tannins are firm but polished.” ML
James Suckling 91 points “This is spicy, with meat, chocolate and dried-fruit character. Medium body, dense fruit and chewy tannins. Needs two years to soften: better in 2016.”
Brovia Garblet Sue Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($89.95) $79 special, 7 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 96 points “Firm tannins support a core of bright red fruit, freshly cut flowers and crushed rocks in the 2010 Barolo Garblèt Sue’. Today some of the ferrous notes typical of this site are less obvious, as the fruit is incredibly rich and intense. Over time, though, it is the wine’s pure energy that stands out most, another typical Garblèt Sue’ characteristic. This is one of the more polished vintages of the Garblèt Sue’ I can remember tasting. Iron, smoke, dark red fruit and a host of ferrous notes round out the huge, explosive finish.”
Bruna Grimaldi Badarina Vigna Regnola, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) $41.90 special, 36+ bottles available
Stephen Tanzer–Vinous 92+ points “this 1.5-hectare plot, planted on shallow white soil at a high altitude of 420 meters in Serralunga, is the estate’s “original” vineyard, where Bruna Grimaldi’s grandfather was born; the only Barolo for which Grimaldi uses cappello sommerso for extraction): Medium-deep red. Complex aromas of raspberry, truffle, smoke and underbrush. Large-scaled, concentrated and rich, offering powerful, lightly medicinal flavors of raspberry and strawberry complicated by licorice and menthol. This very young wine finishes dry and broad, with serious granular tannins calling for extended aging. The Badarina spends a full 36 months in oak and is released a year later than the other Barolos of its vintage. (Grimaldi kept a bit of this fruit in both 2010 and 2009 to make a reserve bottling, but the 2009 will not be released until 2015.)” ST
Cantine Ascheri Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($41.95) $36 special, 6 bottles available
Wine Spectator 88 points “A mix of cherry, graphite, sweet sawdust and earth aromas and flavors marks this medium-bodied red. Lacks a little purity for the vintage, finishing dry. Best from 2016 through 2028.” WS
Cordero di Montezemolo Enrico VI, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 6 bottles available
James Suckling 96 points “Wonderful aromas of crushed berries and flowers here. Particularly roses. Full body, with fine yet chewy tannins and a long intense finish. Needs four or five years to open. Best wine ever from here?” JS
Cordero di Montezemolo Monfalletto, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 34 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 94 points “It offers compelling fragrances of rose, violet, leather, woodland berries and herbs, with balsamic accents. The savory palate delivers crushed Morello cherry, raspberry, mint, vanilla and espresso with a blast of orange zest on the finish. It’s young but already elegant and balanced. Drink after 2018.” WE
Elio Altare Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($79.95) $61.90 special, 17 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2010 Barolo wraps around the palate with plums, mocha, smoke, menthol, spices and new leather. This is an unusually dark, muscular style for a straight Barolo. The shoulders are broad, but at the same time, there is more than enough richness to balance the tannins. The 2010 should drink well pretty much upon release, as it is packed with fruit, supple in personality and full of near-term appeal. Altare sources fruit from La Morra, Castiglione Falletto and Serralunga for his Barolo.” AG
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Elio Grasso Gavarini Vigna Chiniera, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($179.95) $149 special, 7 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 98 points “The 2010 Barolo Gavarini Vigna Chiniera is a wine of breathtaking purity and finesse. The year that comes to mind is 2008, but the 2010 has a more classic sense of structure, tannic cut and intensity. Bright red berries, crushed rocks, mint and dried flowers are some of the many notes that linger in the glass. Sweet floral notes begin to emerge over time but the 2010 is a reticent, austere wine built for the cellar. Razor-precise veins of acidity and minerality support the brilliant, crystalline finish. This is an especially thrilling Gavarini, but readers are going to have to be patient. The 2010 is a wine to buy and forget about for a decade, perhaps longer. Hints of the 1989 and its extraordinary perfume linger on the finish. Gianluca Grasso adds that for the first time in 2010 he had the courage to pick this fruit a few days later than normal…98”
Elio Grasso Ginestra Vigna Casa Mate, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($149.95) $119 special, 14 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 97 points “Dark red cherries, plums, smoke, tar, menthol and licorice all take shape in the 2010 Barolo Ginestra Vigna Casa Matè. Today the 2010 is painfully young and less expressive than the Gavarini, but equally promising. A generous, resonant wine, the 2010 blossoms in all directions with seemingly endless layers of dark, balsamic-inflected fruit. Today, the Casa Matè is closed and shut down, but it has all the qualities to develop into a spectacular Barolo. The future is bright, especially for readers who can be patient.”
Giovanni Rocca Mosconi, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) $41.90 special, 4 bottles available
Wine Spectator 94 points “Medicinal herb, amaro and leather accents complement the cherry and plum core in this sinewy red. The bright fruit and rich texture bode well for the future. Balanced and long, but needs time. Best from 2018 through 2033. 100 cases made.” WS
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Giovanni Rocca Barolo Bricco Ravera, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($44.95) $38 special, 5 bottles available
Wine Spectator 93 points “Rich and supple, broad on the attack, this boasts cherry, raspberry and chalky mineral flavors. Tobacco and tar notes creep in, leaving a chalky sensation on the finish. Shows some power and austerity in the end. Best from 2018 through 2030. 670 cases made.”
Marcarini Brunate, Barolo DOCG 2010 1.5L ($149.95) $133 special, 3 magnums available
Marcarini Brunate, Barolo DOCG 2010 3L ($299.95) $259 special, 1 three-liter available
Stephen Tanzer 93+ points “Bright, dark red. Pungent, high-pitched aromas of bitter cherry, blackberry, mint, blood orange and white peach. Then dense, sweet and pliant yet penetrating thanks to terrific vibrant acidity. For a medium-bodied wine, this communicates an impression of strong dry extract. The firm tannins arrive late, allowing the wine’s finishing fruit to expand and stain the palate. Classic 2010 energy here.” ST
Massolino Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 27 bottles available
Antonio Galloni 92 points “The 2010 Barolo is gorgeous. Sage, rosemary, tar, dried rose petals and sweet spices meld together. An impeccable, perfumed Barolo, the 2010 impresses for its balance. Fine, silky tannins support the gracious finish in this medium-bodied, refined Barolo. Readers who want to get a sense of what the 2010 vintage is all about will want to check out this fabulous effort from Massolino. This is decidedly a medium-bodied style for Serralunga, but it works.” AG
Massolino Parussi, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($99.95) $79 special, 1 bottle available
Wine Advocate 95 points “The 2010 Barolo Parussi hits its stride with an amazing bouquet that is as generous as it is complex and compelling. The wine boasts a dark ruby color with delicate amber highlights and shows a deep level of color saturation and richness. Its perfumes are redolent of sweet cherry, black fruit, dark licorice, cigar ash and wet earth. There’s a bright floral note of pressed red rose that lifts delicately as the wine warms in the glass. The meeting of the wine’s acidic component and its tannic firmness is absolutely seamless. Drink: 2017-2030.” WA
Wine Enthusiast 98 points “This bold wine is yet another impressive 2010 Barolo from Massolino. Powerfully structured, it delivers succulent black cherry flavors layered with black pepper, sage, tobacco, licorice, balsamic notes and grilled herbs. It’s superbly balanced but has youthful tension and an abundance of energy so give it time to fully develop. Drink 2020-2050.” WE
Poderi Oddero Brunate, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($119.95) $99 special, 6 bottles available
Wine Advocate & Wine Spectator 93 points “Expressive and forward, offering cherry, tar, menthol and spice accents. The tannins are dense and grippy, but this finds equilibrium in the end. Sweet at the core, but needs time to fully emerge. Best from 2018 through 2032.” WS
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Rocche Costamagna ‘Rocche dell’Annunziata’, Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 9 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 90 points “It opens with scents of plum, red berries, sage and balsam. The understated palate offers up crushed wild cherry accented with notes of vanilla, espresso, sage and menthol alongside brisk acidity and bracing tannins. Give it time to develop fully.” WE
2010 Barolo Arriving Tomorrow, July 30th
Bartolo Mascarello Barolo DOCG 2010 750ML ($399.95) $299 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 99 points “The 2010 Barolo is one of the most striking, hauntingly beautiful wines I have ever tasted here. Mysterious and slow to show its cards, the 2010 impresses for its inner perfume, sweetness and exceptional overall balance. Today the striking fruit and classic, austere elements of the vintage take turns in dominating the wine’s balance. The 2010 was always magnificent in barrel. It is equally spectacular from bottle. Readers who can find the 2010 should not hesitate. Ideally I wouldn’t dream of touching a bottle until age 15 or so, although I doubt I will personally have the discipline to follow my own advice!” AG
2010 Brunello di Montalcino
The 2010 vintage in Brunello is widely considered by professional reviews to be one of the greatest. The growing conditions were near perfect, with ideal warmth during ripening and strong diurnal temperature swings that allowed for phenolic ripeness with retained acidity. The best show lush fruit, bright acidity and strong tannins, suggesting an aging potential of 10-20 years.
“2010 is the top Brunello di Montalcino vintage of the new millennium because it shows the best traits of my other two favorite vintages, 2006 and 2007, in tandem. It beautifully combines the freshness, structure, linearity and aging potential of 2006 with the intensity, opulence, balsam distinctiveness and tannic richness of 2007. In 2010 you get it all.” -Wine Advocate’s vintage report
“The year 2010 for Brunello di Montalcino is the greatest modern vintage of Italy’s most famous red wine region. Never have the wines been so profound in quality, character, and quantity from the best hillside vineyards of Montalcino. They represent a new paradigm for Tuscany’s unique sangiovese-based red.” -James Suckling
“At their best, they are delicious, combining freshness, structure, opulence and balance. In style, the top wines combine the best elements of previous excellent vintages: the energy of 2004 and 2006, and the elegance of 2007 and 1997, perhaps.” – Tim Atkin, Wine-Searcher
“It was a perfect growing season, relatively warm during the maturation phase, with pronounced day and night temperature changes that allowed us to wait for the best phenolic maturation ever attained at our estate.” – Francesco Ripaccioli of Canalicchio di Sopra and Vice President of the Consorzio del Brunello di Montalcino
2010 Brunello di Montalcino Available Here Now
Altesino Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 31 bottles available
James Suckling 95 points “Wonderful decadent aromas of musk, orange peel and plum follow through to a full body, with soft tannins and a long and rich finish. Salty and savory. Layers of gorgeous fruit. Drink or hold.” JS
Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($49.95) $34.50 special, 14 bottles available
Case-12 Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($479.95) $359 special, 1 case available (that’s only $29.92/bottle!)
James Suckling 95 points “So much dried-lemon and orange-peel character here. Wet leaf, wet earth, stone and lightly smoked meat. Full body, integrated tannins and a savory, tangy finish. Fleshy and yummy. Fabulous deal. Drink or hold on release.” JS
Antonio Galloni 93 points “Bright red cherries, plums, smoke, tobacco, flowers, cedar and spices are all beautifully delineated in the 2010 Brunello di Montalcino. Vibrant and lifted throughout, the 2010 captures the freshness of the vintage in spades. Already soft and accessible, the 2010 can be enjoyed now or cellared for a decade or so.” AG
Wine Advocate 92 points “Caparzo’s 2010 Brunello di Montalcino is a lush and voluptuous wine with soft cherry aromas at the front of spice, dark chocolate and toasted almond. The wine is more approachable in style with a drinking window that can offer pleasure to those too impatient to wait. The tannins are also more evolved and integrated for a more gentle approach. The finish is marked by an evident touch of vanilla from the oak.” WA
Caprili Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Advocate 93 points “Caprili’s 2010 Brunello di Montalcino shows unique aromas with undertones of forest floor and wet earth with grilled herbs and dark fruit. You also get a heavier tone of dried fig and Graham cracker that distinguishes this particular expression of Sangiovese. The wine is smooth and polished with a nice sense of inner elegance. Silky tannins give Giacomo Bartolommei’s Brunello more immediacy and a more approachable drinking window. I very much appreciated the wine’s overall elegance.” ML
Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 40 bottles available
James Suckling 94 points “Very perfumed with flower, truffle, light wet earth and cherry character. Full body and full integrated ripe tannins and caresses your palate. Very fine and pretty. Slight soya undertone. Succulent and enticing. You want to drink this.” JS
Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona Pianrosso, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($79.95) $66 special, 16 bottles available
James Suckling 98 points “Aromas of lilac, dark berry and sandalwood follow through to a full body, with fine tannins and an intense and savory finish. Very intense and very long. Succulent. Amazing balance and depth to this red. It’s so beautiful to taste now but it will be much better in five to ten years. A triumph.” JS
Fanti Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($44.95) $36 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Spectator 94 points “A big, powerful red, with dense tannins and black cherry and blackberry flavors. Balanced in a muscular way, this remains tight and brooding despite the long, fresh finish. Shows potential. Best from 2020 through 2038. 1,600 cases imported.” WS
Fanti ‘Vallocchio’, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($69.95) $49 special, 33 bottles available
Wine Spectator 94 points “Full of cherry, plum and spice flavors, this is shaded by a touch of oak. Rich and smooth overall, showing ample tannins underneath and a full, expansive finish. Exhibits fine balance and expression. Best from 2018 through 2032. 0400 cases imported.” WS
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Franco Pacenti Canalicchio Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 36+ bottles available
Case-12 Franco Pacenti Canalicchio Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($549.95) $419 special, 3 cases available (that’s only $34.92/bottle!)
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “Violet, rose, pressed powder, perfumed berry and forest floor are some of the aromas offered by this stunning wine. The palate is still tightly wound, but delivers juicy black cherry, white pepper and licorice alongside youthfully assertive but fine-grained tannins and bright acidity. Drink 2018–2030.” WE
Wine Advocate 93+ points ” Initially subdued, the 2010 Brunello di Montalcino reveals itself very slowly thanks to budding aromas of rose, cherry, licorice, tar and menthol herb. The Canalicchio vineyard sites (Sopra and Sotto) show fantastic results in this classic vintage. This wine opts for a less aggressive interpretation of the vintage with soft fruit, polished tannins and mild intensity. It is Brunello at 70% horsepower. That slower approach gives you more time to appreciate the delicate tones of brimstone and balsam herb that carefully rise from the bouquet. It would be interesting to see where this wine goes five years from now. My guess it that it will grow in intensity.” ML
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La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) $47 special, 36+ bottles available
La Gerla Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 1.5L ($149.95) $119 special, 3 magnums available
Antonio Galloni 95 points “La Gerla’s 2010 Brunello di Montalcino is absolutely delicious. Dark red cherries, plums, mint, smoke, tobacco and licorice flesh out in a wine that offers notable depth, structure and power. The 2010 is medium in body and also quite polished, yet there is a level of inner sweetness and perfume that makes the wine incredibly appealing, even today. Ideally, though, readers should give the 2010 at least a few years in the cellar. The precise, delicate finish is a thing of beauty”
Flavio Fanti La Palazzetta Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 9 bottles available
James Suckling 92 points “Lots of dried cherry and strawberry character follows through to a full body with fine tannins and a tangy finish. Bright and lively red. Better in 2016 when the fruit, acidity and tannins come more together.” JS
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Piancornello Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($49.95) $39 special, 36+ bottles available
Antonio Galloni 93 points “The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino is deceptive in its mid-weight structure, but there is plenty going on in the glass. Dried rose petal, tobacco, iron, dried cherries and cinnamon open up in an insistent Brunello loaded with personality. Fruit is pushed to the back, while intensely ferrous and savory notes are quite expressive. The lifted finish adds attractive overtones in a powerful yet mid-weight Brunello that impresses for its balance and class.” AG
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San Felice Campogiovanni Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) $49 special, 36+ bottles available
James Suckling 96 points “Perfect aromas to this red with licorice, stone, peach pit, plum, leather and iron. Full body, fine, silky tannins that support a deep, rich fruit concentration showing black fruit, Tuscan dust and oyster shell. Needs four or five years to soften but an amazing finish.” JS
Siro Pacenti Pelagrilli, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) $46 special, 27 bottles available
James Suckling 96 points “Aromas of dark berry, stone, dried Chinese mushroom and flowers. This is full-bodied, with layers of ripe, intense fruit and a long, long finish. Massive. Needs time to soften. Try in 2018.” JS
Antonio Galloni 95 points “The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Pelagrilli is one of the more open, resonant wines readers will come across. Dark cherry, plum, smoke, spice and new leather blossom as this rich, textured Brunello shows off its considerable personality. The flavors are dark, bold and voluptuous throughout, but supported by persistent veins of salinity. This is a fabulous wine from Giancarlo Pacenti. Although the 2010 is labeled ‘Pelagrilli’ 20% of the fruit comes from Pacenti’s holdings in the Piancornello district, in the south of Montalcino. Drink: 2015-2027.” AG
2010 Brunello di Montalcino Arriving in August 2015
Argiano Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino jumps from the glass with notable energy and precision. Grilled herbs, smoke, tobacco, rose petal and mint are all beautifully delineated in the glass. Distinctly savory and mineral notes add complexity to the expressive, stone-inflected fruit in a chiseled, pulsating Brunello endowed with considerable energy. The tannins need time to soften, but Argiano’s 2010 is unquestionably a winner.”
Casanova di Neri Tenuta Nuova, Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($219.95) $169 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 100 points “The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino Tenuta Nuova is a protagonist of the vintage. The fruit is deep and dark with rich levels of extract, intensity and flavor. It goes far beyond your standard cherry and blackberry to include plum cake, spice bread and bacon-wrapped prune. Nothing is obvious or monochromatic about this wine. Everything is nuanced and ethereal. Tenuta Nuova is also distinguished by the linear mineral notes that are characteristic of this single-vineyard site. In 2010, those traits are especially well-defined and pronounced. The tannins reach a level of suppleness that is almost impossible to find in the sometimes prickly and acidic Sangiovese grape. If there is one thing Giacomo Neri has mastered, it is harvesting at optimal ripeness: He knows his property and his vines better than most and it shows. Collectors will want to put this wine aside ten years or longer.” WA
Castello di Argiano Sesti Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($99.95) $79 pre-arrival special
Wine Enthusiast 95 points “This pure expression of Sangiovese opens with aromas of rose petal, leather, game, Mediterranean herb and wild berry. The vibrant, full-bodied palate delivers layers of crushed Morello cherry, raspberry, cinnamon and grilled herb alongside firm, polished tannins and bright acidity. It boasts character and depth. Drink 2017–2030.” WE
Antonio Galloni 94 points “Sesti’s 2010 Brunello di Montalcino is a wine of real class and personality. In fact, the 2010 is one of the best wines I have tasted from this estate in Sant’Angelo in Colle. Iron, sweet red cherries, wild flowers and earthiness are some of the many notes that inform a juicy, plump Brunello that already drinks well. The 2010 is quite forward and fruit-driven, but there is good underlying complexity as well as enough acidity to ensure a decade-plus of fine drinking. My only quibble is that the aromatics could be a little more focused, but that is a relatively small critique for a wine that delivers this much pleasure.” AG
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2010 Brunello di Montalcino Arriving in October 2015
Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2010 750ML ($89.95) $69 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 98 points “The 2010 Brunello di Montalcino is a striking wine that shows uncompromising varietal pureness, albeit in a most concentrated and elaborate form. This is what great Sangiovese is all about. There’s so much happening on the nose and the wine brings you to cherry, spice, licorice, cured meat, pressed rose and grilled meat in equal measure. No one element overpowers the next. The mouthfeel is also tight and bright with the kind of fruit intensity that promises long cellar aging. This Brunello is only at the beginning of a long road ahead. The longer the wine stays in the glass, the more it offers in terms of complexity and intensity. This is a true standout that can be enjoyed for up to 20 years ahead.” ML
2011 Barbaresco
“Overall, the 2011 Barbarescos are racy and seductive. The richness and intensity of the year are perceptible, but the wines retain plenty of site-specific signatures, albeit with softer edges than is typically the case. My impression is that the 2011s will drink well pretty much out of the gate, which should be welcomed by readers cellaring wines from more structured Barbaresco and Barolo vintages.”– Antonio Galloni – Vinous Media
“In Barbaresco, the 2011s combine opulent textures and mostly refined tannins. From what I’ve tasted to date, they have more personality than the 2009s.” – Stephen Tanzer
2011 Barbaresco Available Here Now
Ca’ del Baio Asili, Barbaresco DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $36.60 special, 26 bottles available
Case-12 Ca’ del Baio Asili, Barbaresco DOCG 2011 750ML ($599.95) $399 special, 1 case available (that’s only $33.25/bottle!)
Antonio Galloni 94 points “The 2011 Barbaresco Asili captures the pedigree of this great site. Freshly cut flowers, sweet red berries, mint and cinnamon all resonate in an impeccable, silky Barbaresco loaded with class. A translucent, crystalline wine, the 2011 impresses for its balance and overall harmony. What a gorgeous wine this is.” AG
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De Forville Vigneto Loreto, Barbaresco DOCG 2011 750ML ($41.95) $38 special, 6 bottles available
Winery note “Color: ruby red with bright garnet reflections that prevail with the ageing. Perfume: typical, ethereal, pleasant. Hints of violet. Taste: dry and round, thanks to its powerful structure and balanced tannins.”
Luigi Giordano Cavana, Barbaresco DOCG 2011 750ML ($39.95) $33 special, 7 bottles available
“Brilliant garnet red colour with orange highlights developing with age; ample and intense perfume with fruity, jammy and spicy notes; dry, full and aristocratic flavour.”–Winery Notes
Paitin di Pasquero-Elia ‘Serra’, Barbaresco DOCG 2011 750ML ($41.95) $36 special, 36+ bottles available
Case-12 Paitin di Pasquero-Elia ‘Serra’, Barbaresco DOCG 2011 750ML ($419.95) $399 special, 9 cases available
Wine Spectator 94 points “Rich and velvety, yet also vibrant and complex, this red boasts floral, berry, anise, leather and mineral flavors. Harmonious, this turns slightly chewy in texture on the lingering finish. Best from 2017 through 2027. 1,000 cases made.” WS
Antonio Galloni 93 points “Crushed flowers, sweet red berries, spices and mint race across the palate in the 2011 Barbaresco Serra. This is one of the most intense, tannic 2011 Barbarescos readers will come across. Far from an easygoing wine, the 2011 is going to need considerable patience. Hints of sweet tobacco, mint and anise add nuance on the layered, super-expressive finish. The 2011 Serra spent two years in 50-hectoliter casks.” AG
Produttori del Barbaresco, Barbaresco DOCG 2011 750ML ($37.95) $29 special, 36+ bottles available
Wine Spectator 93 points “Marked by ripe cherry, strawberry, floral and tar flavors, this red is graceful and detailed, with the fruit intensity persisting on the finish. This is well-integrated, and just needs time for the tannins to soften. Excellent length. Best from 2018 through 2030.” WS
Sottimano Cotta, Barbaresco DOCG 2011 750ML ($69.95) $49 special, 21 bottles available
Wine Spectator 92 points “Rich and fleshy, exhibiting flavors of plum and black cherry, buoyed by vivid acidity and beefy tannins. Exhibits a sweet character and plenty of tannins on the finish, so be patient. Best from 2017 through 2027.” WS
Sottimano Fausoni, Barbaresco DOCG 2011 750ML ($69.95) $49 special, 22 bottles available
Antonio Galloni-Vinous 93 points “The 2011 Barbaresco Fausoni is unusually supple, sexy and radiant. Freshly cut flowers, sweet red berries, tobacco and mint all lift from the glass. Fausoni often shows firmer, livelier tannins, but the warm 2011 vintage has softened the contours and yielded an inviting, resonant Barbaresco to drink now and over the next handful of years. Sweet floral notes from these soils rich in sand add the final nuances of complexity. What a gorgeous wine this is.”
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “Crushed raspberry, blue flower, tilled soil and graphite aromas lead the nose on this firmly structured wine. It’s still very young and needs to open up fully, but the palate already displays breeding and class. It offers ripe black cherry, ground black pepper, licorice and grilled sage alongside tightly wound but fine tannins. Drink 2018–2026.”
Wine Advocate 91 points “The 2011 Barbaresco Fausoni is initially slow to show its aromatic potential. As it evolves in the glass, it begins to reveal dark cherry, blackberry, cinnamon spice and dark cola. The style here is bold and thick. This wine also shows noticeable power with tight tannins and some astringency. It still needs time to unwind.”
Sottimano Pajore, Barbaresco DOCG 2011 750ML ($69.95) $49 special, 18 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 93 points “Ripe and delicious, this starts off with aromas of fresh violet, rose, perfumed berry, exotic spice and tilled earth. It’s still young but the palate already delivers a great depth of flavors including juicy black cherry, crushed raspberry, clove and black pepper alongside chewy tannins. Drink 2016 to 2021.” WE
2011 Barbaresco Wines Arriving in August 2015
Cantina del Pino Barbaresco DOCG 2011 750ML ($39.95) $33 pre-arrival special
Cantina del Pino Barbaresco DOCG 2011 375ML ($24.95) $19 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 92 points “Cantina del Pino’s 2011 Barbaresco offers a classic interpretation of both territory and grape at an excellent price point. The wine is pristine and forthcoming with dark berry nuances followed by coffee, tar, licorice and fragrant garden herb. In the mouth, it shows sweet tannins and rich texture. It still must undergo further evolution. This wine is still in its infancy. ” ML
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Cantina del Pino Albesani, Barbaresco DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2011 Barbaresco Albesani is the wine that surprised me most among Cantina del Pino’s new releases. It shows an exceptional level of focus and clarity with tight tannins at the back that keep it stitched together tightly. It shows an impressive level of unity and precision. The bouquet is slow to start, but once it does it delivers a steady stream of dark fruit, licorice, balsam herb and crushed mineral. The Albesani cru, with its thick clay soils, evidently had enough underground moisture to avoid heat stress on the vines during the hot summer.” ML
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Cantina del Pino Gallina, Barbaresco DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2011 Barbaresco Gallina is slightly more subdued than both the Ovello and the Albesani this year. The bouquet exhibits pretty aromas of wild berry, blue flower, licorice, cola and flinty mineral. Barbaresco Gallina reveals an etched style and a high degree of inner elegance. Tight astringency makes for a solid backbone and the wine shows delicate contours.” ML
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Cantina del Pino Ovello, Barbaresco DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Wine Advocate 93 points “The 2011 Barbaresco Ovello does not disappoint. Vintner Renato Vacca prefers to release his wines later than most and that extra year of bottle aging has been very good to this 2011 expression. The wine has had time to find focus and sharpness despite the warmth of the vintage. Bold fruit flavors of blackberry and cassis are followed by balanced tones of spice and balsam herb. The fruit shows a soft and extra plush quality. Ovello is one of the greatest crus in the Barbaresco township.” ML
This is the only listing in the USA today!
2011 Barbaresco Wines Arriving in October 2015
Produttori del Barbaresco Asili, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $47 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Asili, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($599.95) $519 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: In Asili, the grapes are from calcium-rich limestone vineyard land. The vineyard produces exceptionally rich and age-worthy wines.
Produttori del Barbaresco Montefico, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $44 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Montefico, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($519.95) $459 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: The Montefico vineyard produces intensely mineral wines with spicy fruit and exceptional ageing potential from the calcareous limestone.
Produttori del Barbaresco Montestefano, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $44 pre-arrival special
Produttori del Barbaresco Montestefano, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 1.5L ($119.95) $89 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Montestefano, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($519.95) $459 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: The Montestefano vineyard produces a dark, ripe and rich wine with thick texture.
Produttori del Barbaresco Muncagota, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Muncagota, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($469.95) $419 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: Muncagota has a South-Eastern exposure and produces elegant and floral wines with lingering tannins.
Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $44 pre-arrival special
Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 1.5 ($119.95) $99 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Ovello, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($519.95) $459 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: Expect the Ovello wines to be full with rich red fruit.
Produttori del Barbaresco Paje, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Paje, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($469.95) $419 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: With its South-Western and Western exposure, the Paje vineyard produces complex wines with bright fruit aromas.
Produttori del Barbaresco Pora, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $44 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Pora, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($519.95) $459 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: Pora vineyard wines are lighter, with rich fruit and earthy notes, and integrates tannin more quickly.
Produttori del Barbaresco Rabaja, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($59.95) $49 pre-arrival special
Produttori del Barbaresco Rabaja, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 1.5L ($149.95) $119 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Rabaja, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($599.95) $519 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: Wines from the Rabaja vineyard are complex with silky tannins and dark fruit aromas.
Produttori del Barbaresco Rio Sordo, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($49.95) $39 pre-arrival special
Case-12 Produttori del Barbaresco Rio Sordo, Barbaresco Riserva DOCG 2011 750ML ($469.95) $419 pre-arrival special
VinopolNote: The Rio Sordo vineyard produces elegant, lingering wines with silky tannins and medium body.