Varaldo – Barbaresco, Piedmonte
Barbaresco Sori Loreto 2001 £39.00
Once again (as this is about the 6th time of tasting this) showing the beautiful nose of black cherries and vanilla with undertones of spicy oak. The wine fills the mouth from the off, luscious, sweet fruit tempered with firm grippy tannins and tingling acidity. Although starting to show signs of secondary fruit this is still a very young wine that would pay back some patient cellaring.
Odoardi – Calabria
Savuto Rosso 2005 £15.50
Bright ruby colour looking very vibrant. Open and powerful nose full of red fruits and herbs, some lavender detected. The palate is full and sweet and surprisingly giving. Rounded tannins are in fine balance with just the right amount of acidity. Excellent now and for the next 3-5 years.
Vigna Garrone 2004 £27.00
Deep broading inky blue/red. Dense nose that isn’t very giving at the moment. The palate backs up these initial findings. The wine is serious and currently unforgiving. It’s almost impossible to believe that this already has five years of age, it feels as though it is only a one-year-old. Certainly not a wine to be consumed now but definitely one to buy and tuck away for a decade.
Gagliasso - La Morra, Piemonte
Barbera Cru “ Vigna Ciabot Rus “ 2005 £22.75
Wonderful garnet colour with orange tinges. The nose is evolved and open, oodles of black fruits, vanilla ice cream and hazelnuts on the nose and palate. Easy going palate, ripe fruit, soft tannins and fine acidity make this an eminently quaffable wine. Simply delicious.
Barolo “ Rocche dell,annunziata “ 2005 £36.85
WOW! Light ruby colour that totally belies the power of this awesome wine. The nose soars from the glass abound with Chocolate, mint, cherries, sherry, nuts and spice, on returning to the nose after a minute a completely new level of aromas have appeared, almost Ferna-Brancaesque; Medicinal herbs and spices, cloves and thyme… astounding!! The palate does the nose full justice, A multitude of fruits, herbs and spices swirl about the mouth layered between fine grained tannic structure and mineral laced acidity. The finish is quite literally endless, I gave up counting after 90 seconds. Although very drinkable and approachable right now I think this wine has a very long life ahead. Outstanding example of Barolo making.