2013 Barolo tasted in 2017

I am finding time to be limited this year, and the list of wines tasted bigger than ever, so I will have to add to this narrative incrementally. Today I'll just leave a few brief words about the vintage. 2013 has produced some outstanding wines. The nature of the vintage is all about super ripe, fine grained tannins, lusciously sweet fruit, and spicy nuance. Both the tannins and the sweetness of fruit though seem to be the failings of the vintage as well. 

The best wines have such remarkably finesse due to the fine tannins, and are elegant as well as firm, though nowhere near as masculine as the 2010s. This softness is the principal shortcoming of the vintage as well as quite a few wines are just too soft. They're fun and delicious, but without backbone.

The sweetness of fruit in this vintage is also an issue. I don't really look for luscious Barolo and don't expect the particularly lush wines of the vintage to age that well. With time that lushness will fall away leaving wines that might lack depth, roundness, and nuance. It's really ver tough to say as I have never tasted wines like this at this stage of their lives, or any other for that matter.

While the heights of 2013 are stratospheric, the wines are not as classical as those of 2010, which, in a general sense I continue to prefer over this more recent vintage.  But boy are there lots of outstanding wines! Conspicuously absent are the wines of Vietti which, save for the Castiglione, are lined up to be tasted when as soon as I get back to my office. 

A final word about 2015 Barbera. It's the best vintage for Barbera in who knows how long and given the advances, and retreats from excessive new wood that Barbera has recently enjoyed is probably the best vintage ever. I'll get notes up on the Barbera ASAP.

2014 is better than you might be lead to believe. Not so much for the lesser varieties, though Barbera can be excellent, but for Barolo and Barbaresco in particular. Say tuned for more there as well!  

2013 Bartolo Mascarello Barolo 14%

Tight, reticent and pure on the nose, this has a core of ripe fruit but shows more violet and fennel at the moment with ginseng and nuanced savory aromas, a touch of an herbal basenote. The richness, the purity, this is profound, such elegance, with tannins that are fine grained yet firm, so red fruited, so long, this is off the charts, there's a candied note, mineral laced, wild cherry nuanced fruit, haunting length, so young but so much promise, OMG wine, this really is stunning. Wine of the vintage. 98pts

2013 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Francia for Monfortino 14.5%

From botte

Opens with a hint of graham cracker on the nose followed by briar, wild cherry, massive inherent balsamic quality, and a floral extract. Rich in the mouth, very mineral upfront, then powerful tannins that are already silky flood across the palate along with fine fruit skin flavors with a deep bitterness of soil tones. Incredibly dense without being notably weighty, incredibly balsamic, round with an elegance that is hard to find, and very long with a finish driven by minerality. Oh boy this is good. 97pts

2013 Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo Brunate

Nose initially shows lots of wild raspberry fruit followed by smoky briar notes and  hints of balsam and quinine. Large scaled, sweet yet structured in the mouth with excellent balance. Full of exuberant and intense balsamic flavors along with sweet fruit that together show great energy and drive in the mouth with tannins that will be silky. The balsamic is profound here. Endless life ahead. 97pts

2013 Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo Tre Tine

A real contrast to the Brunate with fruit on the nose that is much redder and expressing cranberry and lingonberry profile over dried herb and white soil mineral base notes. Taut with a slightly creamy red fruit impression on entry followed by a rather rich and deep midpalate of amarena cherry and limestone. This is dusty and salty with fabulous length to the lingonberry and red raspberry fruit that shows tremendous cut and definition. Terrific focus and energy, with an innate sweetness. The limestone signature dominates this today, the expression of soil here is profound. Less obvious but almost as good as the Brunate. 96pts

2013 Brovia Barolo Rocche del Castiglione 14.5%

Mineral laced on the nose nose with detailed notes of limestone layered under aromas of root vegetables, amarena cherry, dried and pressed flowers. A bit compressed on entry, this starts off as liquid rocks on the palate with an almost silky texture. Elegance for days, this has svelte power in the mouth, nuance and incredible depth of fruit and again this marriage of fruit, minerality, and savory spice that seems to be the signature of the vintage. Yet with an underlying tenderness and approachability, this is seamless, nothing out of place and packed tightly on the palate tight so its not showing full potential yet though the long bitter cherry and limestone finale is compelling. 95pts

2013 Brovia Barolo Brea Vigna Ca'mia 14.5%

Dark and earthy on the nose with rich tobacco, dried roots, black olive, and black pepper nuance adding detail to the core of strawberry and black cherry fruit. More savory than the other wines in this lineup.  Ripe, rich, and yet so well balanced, this shows off incredible depth in the mouth with salty minerality and hints of iron and blood on the nose that slowly emerge on the palate.  The ripeness of this fruit is nearly perfect, profound, bloody, red plumy fruit paired with tannins that are chewy but not aggressive. Perhaps lacking the detail of the Rocche but the depth here is impressive, with real cut on the palate, a touch shorter than Garblet or Rocche, but the intensity of inner mouth perfumes makes this undeniably attractive. 95pts

2013 Elvio Cogno Barolo Ravera  14.5%

Taken to another level aromatically,  there's richness behind the fruit, a depth to this on the nose full of  burnished fruit and a core of balsamic spice, a touch medicinal even in a good way, just lending nuance and serving as a counterpoint to the sweetness of the fruit. Moderately high acid lends this lovely freshness. This is very young with power that arrives vertically and later on the palate than the Cascina Nuova, a more precise, tauter wine, more tannic as well with a chewiness late on the palate and noble if austere tannins on the moderately long finish. The nose gains a hint of gunpowder with air. A grand vin indeed. 95pts

2013 Aldo Conterno Barolo Romirasco 14.5%


Tight and so fine on the nose with gorgeous aromas of rosebuds and blue spice notes. Wow this is well balanced, transparent, and vertical in the mouth with remarkable precision to the slightly exotic core of purple tinged fruit, followed by this slatey mineral note offering great cut in the mouth. A tactile synthesis of the vertical Colonnello and horizontal Cicala. Tight not much length yet though with a finish that is almost salty and shows off deep flavors of spicy green seeds and floral notes. This is certainly ripe but retains a certain edginess still. There’s remarkable purity to this expression of nebbiolo fruit. Another elegant wine, pinpoint tannins retain a touch of austerity and the minerality that permeates this is absolutely terrific. 95pts

2013 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Cerretta 14.5%

Big nose, huge with opening rosehips, perfume, cherry in alcohol, truffle, dusted with a little sweetness, confectioners sugar and sweet melted licorice. This is very impressive, it's low on entry and gains volume impressively in the mouth, though it’s slightly matte on the palate today, probably temporarily as the nose promises fireworks in the future. Tannins are packed but ripe with a faint blueberry top note to the fruit. Great acidity on the finish, this has height and breadth in the mouth with a special knit to the tannins on the finish, sort of like chain mail, you can feel the individual tannins but this has an inherent cohesiveness. 95pts

2013 Barale Barolo Bussia 14%

Gorgeous on the nose, redolent of rose petals, sandalwood, with this core of  mineral inflected dark wild berry fruits, open, fruity, yet tense. Intense ripe fruit on entry shows more red fruited on the mouth than one might expect from the nose. With superb balance, this can be drunk now, it’s juicy and tart, with a slightly gamy edge to the fruit, no hint of the alcohol, and good length. Gorgeously ripe tannins, effortlessly combines purity, richness and ripeness of fresh fruit. Sliced plums, and an inherent elegance which is hidden a bit today by the lushness of fruit,. Fruit that is fantastically long. 94pts

2013 Baudana Barolo Baudana 14.5%

A touch musky and wild on the nose, lots of wild cherry in alcohol on the nose; classic Nebbiolo aromas with a hint of dark soil, licorice and slightly medicinal spice. Almost supple on entry, the tannins here are shockingly delicate and polished.  This is broad shouldered but narrow hipped,  bright, seamless, slightly chewy, reticent but long and even lithe on the finish. This has everything in perfect harmony, so pure and focused a buckyball of ripe fruit enmeshed in a net of pliant tannins, long and aromatic. 94pts

2013 Chiara Boschis Barolo Cannubi 14%

A bit musky with dark fruit cocktail on the nose over sandy soil base notes. The oak is moderately prominent here. Absolutely silky in the mouth, with the wood notes offering a base of spice. Tannins are so fine and ripe with  seamless integration. The finish is very rich in limestone, lending length, and helping to bring the fruit  into fine focus. And yes the wood tannins are there, but not terribly conspicuous and one can see how they will melt into this firm, austere, and elegant wine. Rose petal aromas lend nuance and elegance on the finale. This has classic Cannubi austerity and really fine balance. 94pts

2013 Brovia Barolo Barolo Garblet Sue 14.5%

Slightly vegetal on the nose with incipient tobacco notes, lots of rose hips and menthol, and earthy, making this really smell like a flower pot, soil, pot and all, with a white soil streak running through it. This is supple bordering on opulent with a roundness and lushness that is unusual. The tannins are spherical, downright seductive, and paired with the rich with wild cherry, bitter cherry fruit make for some easy drinking. This is a bit more evolved than one might expect but it complete and texturally leans a little more towards the La Morra style of Barolo. Rich but not chewy, the tannins snap together on the focused tapering finish which shows really fine wild cherry fruit, so long. 94pts

2013 G.B. Burlotto Barolo Monvigliero 14%

Wow, this is unusually  intense on the nose with the  classic aromas of raspberry, truffle undertones, gentle hints of sweet cinnamon and slightly roasted strawberry with incipient tapenade basenotes. More intense but also sweeter and more medicinal than usual.  Tense, and very detailed in the mouth with superb tannin integration, bright acids; really a lovely and complete expression of Monvigliero. This marries richness and delicacy in such a fine way, there’s real finesse here but also a notably sweet palate impression. It captures the 2013 signature of firmness and sweetness but it less vibrant than some previous vintage as the sweetness of the fruit is covering the nervous tension that I usually find in this wine. I’ve never had a Burlotto Barolo that was quite this sweet before so I am a bit unsure of where this might go in the cellar. Past performances suggest that the sweetness will integrate and the wine should exhibit more delicacy with age.  94pts

2013 Elio Grasso Barolo Gavarini Casa Mate 14.5%

Big fruit greets the nose which is fairly expressive with notes of iodine, green wild flower, light extraction of medicinal herbs, along with hints of sandalwood, rose hips and a strong base of rosewater. Broader and more powerful in the mouth than the Chiniera, a step up perhaps in power and depth but not quite as elegant. Very mineral and dusty on the palate with a hint of blue flowers and lots of dusty dry clay notes. Both more complex, and with greater detail in the mouth than the Chiniera, tannins that are a bit more muscular as well, this turns a bit bloody and inky on the long finish, though it remains totally transparent within impressive intensity and vibrancy to what is a fairly spicy finish. 94pts

2013 Massolino Barolo Parafada 14%

A step up aromatically with more stoniness to the nose along with more depth. This is simply terrific, juicy, bright, and with huge burnished fruit flavors showing great depth on the palate. With great ripeness to the strawberry, blood orange and cherry fruit that lends this a gentle chewiness in the mouth. This is a bit of a powerhouse, but with near perfect balance. The fruit shows excellent persistence with inner mouth perfumes that promise a real powerful future. 94pts

2013 Francesco Rinaldi Barolo Brunate 14%

Tight classically austere on the nose, rather briary with a core of dark, earthy, sweet fruit framed with hints of nettle blood orange.  Silky on entry, then classically firm but not hard with fine inner mouth perfumes  of soil and rosehips, not quite medicinal but not balsamic either, ok a little balsamic. Flavors of sweet herbs and black cherries have real depth and a slightly burnished quality to them. The finish is slightly salty, minty, very red fruited, and decided lacy with well knit tannins and bright acids. This will shut down and disappoint people before it impresses again but everything is here to make this a classic wine that should age a lifetime. A really great wine. 94pts

2013 Francesco Rinaldi Barolo Cannubi 14%

Tight with subtle hints of rosehips, lemon peel, and jammy lingonberry and cranberry fruit notes on the nose, even more fruity than the Brunate with air, though with a decidedly more sandy soil, strong rose petal, and dried herb cast. Slippery in the mouth, the balance is so fine this slides across the palate effortlessly, it’s slightly smaller scaled than the Brunate and a touch compressed today but it already delivers wonderful pure and ripe amarena cherry fruit layered over salty, white mineral notes that linger on the long soil laden finish like river stones in the mouth. There is a slight impression of heat on the finish, which hopefully will be covered by fruit at maturity, but the appeal  of this nearly perfectly ripe balance of fruit, tannin, and acid makes that easy to overlook. 94pts

2013  Poderi Oddero Barolo Villero 14.5%

Earthier with more nuance and a little less fruit than the base barolo, though there's lovely citrus notes here along with a hint of sage, licorice and coffee candies. Wow, this is seamless, a hint rounded but rich and powerful all in balance with an early rush of bitter cherry skin fruit, followed by black spice and hints of coriander on the palate.  Bitter minerals on the backend with a flush of green herb freshness lend additional complexity leading up to along, precise, layered finish. Still so young but this is really poised and firming up nicely. 94pts

2013 G.D. Vajra Barolo Bricco della Viole Selezione X

Delicate aromas that lean towards the earthy end of the spectrum, intense and complex with waxy red fruit, lingonberry fruit, and very floral. Seamless in the mouth, quite ripe but juicy with  fine ripe tannins. A really impressive expression of Nebbiolo, deep, earthy, savory and gently spicy on the palate with detailed wild berry fruit and fine rose stem inner mouth perfumes.  A touch chewy and tough on the finish, which is long, and spicy, transparent enough to reveal soil tones on the finale, and a touch sticky, tactile not in a sweet way but in a concentrated way on the finale. A thoroughbred. 94pts

2013 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo Monvigliero  14%

Powerful with crushed rock on the nose lending this a muscular, aura. Aromatically it’s a bit mysterious on the nose with perfumes of men's cologne, dark fruit, and rose petals. A pretty chewy wine, if remaining firmly medium bodied with lovely lift on the palate. Inner mouth perfumes tend toward the slightly stemmy and dried herb side of the spectrum with a nuance of thyme gracing the midpalate,along with  dusty, chalky tannins that are persistent and almost sweet on the finish. Finishes with slightly medicinal red cherry fruit and a spicy floral note lingering in the mouth, this really shows off impressive inner mouth perfumes. Transparent and  balanced with with finesse and impressive length. 93pts

2013 Cascina Ballarin Barolo Bricco Rocca 14.5%

At first quite floral with a hint coffee, air brings out an assertive, dusty limestone note layered in with sweet, slightly roasted berry fruit and gentle dried herb notes. On entry one sense fine inner mouth perfumes of red fruit and white flowers leading to a silky, elegant midpalate featuring well covered tannins offering strong support to the lacy, limestone, dried cherry skin and bitter cherry flavors. This is fairly powerful, and almost supple but it's also very young and remain folded in on itself. A bit reticent through the finish but very well balanced, I would bet on this for the cellar. 93pts

2013 Chiara Boschis Barolo Via Nuova 14%

An earthier expression of Barolo with hints of moss and medical minerality, this seems to be able to absorb the oak a bit more completely, hidden as it is beneath candied dark cherry fruit, camphor and dark rose buds aromas that are bordering on tobacco. Round, yet bright up front, this delivers a wave of sweet dark red fruit to the palate, followed by by a dark mineral note on the midpalate with a late arrival of brewed herbs. Almost a bit chewy, the tannins are very tightly packed yet very finely textured with juicy acids lending this real brightness notwithstanding the bold, dark fruit. A bit rocky, rich and angular in the mouth and through the fairly long finish with lots of jammy cranberry fruit on the finale. 93pts

2013 Brovia Barolo 14.5%

Classic on the nose, deep with aromas of  berries in alcohol. Liquory berry fruit, a little sandalwood, and some tarry top notes. Bright, red fruit driven in the mouth, with impressive balance and elegance.  Fine, savory depth on the palate and a real pronounced mineral imprint. The tannins are so ripe, so supple yet remaining present with acidity that is pronounced making this quite lively in the mouth. Fine length with a dusty rose petal inner mouth perfume. A phenomenal Barolo Classico,  complete with good length rich with woodsy spice and pure, fresh fruit.  93pts

2013 Brovia Barolo Barolo Villero 14.5%

A slight herbal wash, a bit minty,  on the nose followed by a peachy and dark toned fruit, this shows a bit of plumminess and a decidedly peppery spice. Broad and open on the palate, a bit loosely knit after the firm and coiled Rocche, the lovely plum skin fruit with wild grape flavors in the mouth are delivered in a broader and more supple package than the Rocche. Still tannic but without the sheer density of the Rocche, a bit shorter. Very pretty and poised with a nice dusty clay tone on the palate that leads to a dusty finish with the tannins and some dried herb nuance.  Medium weight, and fine, silkier than the Rocche, bright acids a bit more pronounced, lovely inner mouth perfumes, again real persistence to the fruit, a less dense and less tense example but shares the intensity of inner mouth perfume and bright character of the Rocche. 93pts

2013 G.B. Burlotto Barolo Cannubi 14%

Classic aromas of cherry pits, limestone, dried lime peel and small red fruits in alcohol greet the nose. There’s excellent intensity to the aromatics here as well So finely knit on the palate, but crystal clear as well with great intensity of fruit flavors that are lean and transparent. Deceptively easy today, this should age effortlessly, lacks a touch of follow through today, particularly in comparison to the Monvigliero but this is more obviously elegant and fine. It’s already showing some complexity with hints of blond tobacco and dried rose petals on the backend leading to a finish of pure, vibrant bitter cherry fruit and limestone, but it does seem to be less complete than the Monvigliero, and not at the same level. This is lean and tense like a dancer or fencer while the Monvigliero is softer, curvier, with more going on. Which, when I think of it, might make this not at a different level, just a different expression. 93pts

2013 Camerano Barolo Cannubi

Still fairly aggressively raw woody, spiced on the nose lending the core of  red fruit a touch cedary/sandalwoody character. Almost sweet on entry with lots of red fruit supported by fine grained tannins. You can taste the raw wood here, almost like a woody Salumi note and it’s lending big tannins on the finish, though they are well balanced by great acids. This is a lovely wine, old school in the best sense of the word, not forced at all, with fresh, crisp, sandy soil toned flavors and hints of leather already accenting the core of wild red berry, wild cherry, wild strawberry in alcohol fruit. Finishes with good length, and as the tannins integrate a real sense of freshness. 93pts

2013 Gianni Canonica  Barolo Paiagallo 14.5%

Wow, this is performing at another level entirely with lots of camphor, and real intensity to the earthy underlay and herb framed cherry fruit. Bright, juicy, and showing lovely purity in the mouth, this is vibrant and nervous with dusty ripe tannins,. This is delicious, the tannins have a little herbal notes that lends freshness. There’s  a slight natural feel to this, but with such purity and persistence to the fruit. 93pts

2013 Elvio Cogno Barolo Cascina Nuova 14.5%

Tight, pure and fresh on the nose filled with rose petals a little mint, wildflowers, and  wild strawberry. Elegant and fine, this really fills the mouth with breadth, fine grained tannins, supportive acids, unevolved, but fine elegance and balance. Another refined wine with just terrific fresh mouthfeel, this is so pretty, the potential shows most strongly on the finish which is long with a gentle spice to it, real fresh crushed berry fruit, again there's a particularly fresh raspberry/strawberry quality to it. Great length, with dusty tannins contributing to the length and gorgeous minerality. , I expect this will gain complexity with age but even already the freshness is impressive, there's real depth on the palate as well. As complete a wine as you can expect. 93pts

2013 Aldo Conterno Barolo Colonnello 14.5%
A little spice note greets the nose followed by cherries in alcohol, an underlying hint of sweetness and a burst of flowers, freshly sliced red plums and a nuance of sawdust. Air lends this a distinct mineral edge, nut dusty and stony but rather mineral water and subtly medicinal. Rounder and more opulent in the mouth, than the Bussia, this show fine ripeness to the tannins, good depth on the palate. Opulent, or almost, though it retains fine transparency and just a suggest of something green floral lending freshness to the palate. Clean and fresh on the backend and through the sandy finish which shows off the tannins of 2013, soft, juicy, and yet firm. Offers a fine blend of delicacy and elegance contrasting the power and depth of flavor one finds on the palate. Interesting today but long and well balanced on the finish, promising understated elegance with real complexity in the future. 93pts


2013 Claudio Fenocchio Barolo Villero 14.5%

Rawer wood on the nose though not obscuring the balsamic shaded aromatics, rather lending a cedary cast to the nose. Richer and rounder in the mouth,  very complete in fact with depth to the dried floral inner mouth perfumes, tannins that are totally ripe here and acids that are a touch softer lending this a rounder feel though the finish is slightly firm with tannins.  Long, a bit caressing almost, the fruit here is really expressive already, from the front of the palate back. Very well knit together,  and nuanced with a powdery floral note on the finish. A lovely wine with fruit that has a slightly darker tone, a hint of blackberry maybe. The persistence of the fruit and its innate juiciness is really compelling. 93pts

2013 Claudio Fenocchio Barolo Bussia 14%

Very subtle early wood tone here, I might now be sensitive to it but it’s there, heathery aromatics feature slightly jammy and peppery fruit, with quite a bit of licorice and infused medicinal herbs here. Another step up in richness here, less approachable but with more vertical lift in the mouth. Slightly chewy but fresh, there's compelling depth on the palate here, with tannins that are very fine grained. A little sandy note marks the finale, though this is not as long as the Villero at this point, if with with better thrust on the palate and tannins that are riper and yet firm, highlighting the bitter aspect of the fruit bitter cherry. 93pts

2103 Elio Grasso Barolo Gavarini Chiniera 14.5%
No perceptible wood on the nose, though this remains tight and inexpressive. Tight in the mouth as well  but the tannins are so fine and elegant, the fruit shows a fine edge of density, acidity is integrated. With air this gains a great burnished edge with lots of burnished cherry fruit. The acidity really emerges on the finish showing what weight there is hiding on the palate. Tannins are supple and rounded, a hint of herbaceousness graces the midpalate through the finish, with fine white soil tones emerging on the finale. Showing exceptional balance already. This has more tea character here as opposed to the slightly overtly vegetal tones of the Casa Mate, and with more delicacy and grace. 93pts


2013 Poderi Luigi Einaudi Barolo Terlo Vigna Costa Grimaldi 14%

This also shows a hint of wood, spicy and low, on the nose but at the same time shows off a very floral perfume. This lacks the fat of the Costa Grimaldi,  but shows more verticality in the mouth with particularly clarity and and purity to the flavors of juicy cranberry, lingonberry, and wild. High acidity helps to accentuate the tar red fruit flavors while the super ripe and fine grained tannins lend this a little heft on the palate. Tight, balanced and with great potential. Just a racy and zesty Barolo. 93pts

2013 Poderi Luigi Einaudi  Barolo Cannubi 14. 5%

Classic cherries in rose water on the nose with dusty tar and asphalt nuance. Again this is very tight, though so elegant already, though clearly with great ageing potential. A terrifically precise wine in a pure and vibrant vintage, the soil tones on the palate here are terrific, really prominent and penetrating. A classically austere Cannubi with blazing acidity leading to a  juicy and fresh finish rich with dusty, soil inflected tart red berry fruit. 93pts

2013 Ettore Germano Barolo Prapo 14%

Tight but here to there is a finesse to the perfumes that makes the 12 seem a bit clumsy on the nose, tarry and smoky and topped with a hint of black pepper. Tight in the mouth but with fine balance, really love these tannins from Prapo, very ripe yet not soft. The palate shows off gorgeous black cherry skin fruit, transparent and pure with tannins really surging on the finish but never overing the intensity of the fruit, and finsihing with lovely cut on the finale. 93pts

2013 Ettore Germano Barolo Cerretta 14.5%

Dark prune, date and vanilla lace nose, rich and a bit denser, certainly denser than the 12, deep dark fruit with very Serralunga tannins that are riper than in 12 as well. The finish is tight but not overly tannic as with 12,showing good length and rich with mineral and dark fruit flavors. This is powerful and classic,  a wine for the ages, drying austere, old school but with the fruit of a perfectly ripe vintage, gaining clay and smoky complexity on the finish with a hint of mint. 93pts

2013 Mario Marengo Barolo Brunate 14.5%

Dark, earthy, meaty leathery and spicy on the nose,  a bit shy on detail and fruit today but has the dark character typical of the vineyard. There's a lot of hidden power here, enough to make one not notice the wood on the palate , which shows terrific mineral character before the wood tannin becomes more noticeable on the backend. Clean, elegant, and taut with decent length, real penetrating depth to the mineral laced red fruit on the palate, with a decidedly spicy finish. Retaining a certain delicacy, rich yet not chewy, this is chiseled. 93pts

2013 Massolino Barolo Margheria 14%

Floral on the nose with detailed aromas of wild fennel, very ripe slightly jammy strawberry fruit, and a touch of salumi wood. This fills  the mouth horizontally, remaining transparent with late arriving minerality, lovely freshness of fruit, and a fine taut tannic finish. The tannins are so finely ripe here,  making this so elegant and balanced with gorgeous strawberry fruit framed with sandy clay mineral tones. 93pts

2013 Poderi Oddero Barolo 14%

It takes a minute to get going but when it does this explodes on the nose with layers of black cherries, fresh fruit, flowers, minerals, and a little meatiness. There is an impression of sweetness from the all the fruit here backed up by sweet tannins and well judged acidity. This offers all the elegance and finesse of the vintage in a clear, transparent and vibrant package. Finishing with impressive length and nuance, this is simply terrific. 93pts

2013 Ferdinando Principiano Barolo Ravera di Monforte

Aromas of wild flowers,  artichoke and carrot tops lend complexity to the intense, savory nose here, rich with aromas of Chinato and red raspberry fruit. Angular, fine, and transparent  in the mouth, with great cut, good acidity, and super fine tannins. There’s real finesse  and elegance here with great persistence to the fruit, juicy and lightly iris toned in the mouth, with hints of apricot lending nuance to the berry flavors, all  layered over gentle mineral notes. This is impressively complex and finessed through the vegetal qualities will be off putting to some I find it beautiful with harmony and complexity. 93pts

2013 Luciano Sandrone Barolo Le Vigne 14.5%

Has a bit of a nutty ok imprint, though fairly subtle and not overpowering the aromas of roses and dried grasses on the nose. Wow this is supple on entry but the bright tannins and really rich, mouth filling if fine grained tannins fill the mouth. Packed with fine red fruits with a strong cherry skin character fill the mouth.some nuanced licorice on the midpalate,  a touch of apricot on the back palate followed by layered dark spices on the relatively long finish. This is somewhat approachable today and showing more detail than is typical at this age. 93pts

2013 Luciano Sandrone Barolo Aleste 14.5

Renamed the Cannubi in honor of his grandchildren but it is exactly the same wine as was previously labelled Cannubi Boschis.

Tight on the nose, a touch spicy with the subtlest hint of wood. The oak influence is restrained but it's impact is noticeable and at this stage there’s not much else going on aromatically. Bright and fruity in the mouth with fine grained tannins supporting flavors that are a bit higher toned than in the Le Vigne.  Fine cherries in alcohol flavors show terrific focus focus and vibrancy here with so much brightness that I Felt used to be lacking. It’s certainly tannic in an austere kind of way with the finish being a little clipped by the tannins, but that should resolve itself with time. Less complex than the Le Vigne but with the potential for greater elegance and finesse. 93pts

2013 G.D. Vajra Barolo Bricco delle Viole 14%

Decidedly red fruit but a bit stewy or liquory on the nose, lovely but with pronounced ripe fruit aromas paired with Iris or jasmine, and a touch of oak, and almost a hint of mocha, Rich on entry, lovely balance that marries intensity with finesse, the tannins again are just a touch dry, but this has a very appealing depth on the palate with great acidity providing vibrancy and lift. Just the tannins making a bit of a too powerful impression in the mouth, but there’s enough intense fruit to keep them balanced through the long fruit and mineral toned finish. 93pts

2013 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo Gramolere 14%

Tight, earthy grey soil aromas gain a little orchard fruit aspect along with black cherry fruit and a touch of laurel on the nose. Super well knit in the mouth, this is bright and juicy with supple tannins that are  tighter than the Veruno Barolos. Fine texture with a tense yet open knit feel, good scale and length, lacks the nuance perhaps of the previous two wines but a bit more burly, and perhaps more typical. Finishes with savory notes, a little smoky with a subtle dried fruit accent. Shows off the superb tannin ripeness that was possible in 2013. 92pts

2013 Barale Barolo Castellero 14%

Very balsamic and aromatic on the nose with aromatics that soar from the glass full of  sandalwood, rosehips, and rose petal perfumes.  Elegant, supple, and juicy wine with really red fruit on the palate, graced on the palate with stoney basenotes, lots of caressing red fruit notes and really floral inner. muth perfumes. Juicy lingonberry cranberry finale, a bit light on the palate but this has real length and aromatic complexity. 92pts

2013 G.B. Burlotto Barolo Acclivi 14%

Another level of intensity here with intense aromas of rose petals, and more obvious fruit on the nose, a bit of wild raspberry and astringent red berry fruit. Richer in the mouth as well with more flesh than is typical here. This is terrific with remarkable freshness and cut notwithstanding the roundness to the texture. A really impressive blend of ripeness and finesse.  Delicate and poised, this is more open than the base Barolo at this stage with all this crunchy red fruit surrounded by hints of soil, drying green herbs, and slightly bitter cherry. Long, and seamless. Super Acclivi. 92pts

2013 Alberto Burzi Barolo Barolo Capelot Vecchie Viti

Delicate color. Sweetly fruited on the nose with gorgeous cherry fruit topped with spicy floral accent notes and a hint of chinato spice Here too one finds a sheen of wood but nothing objectionable. This is a broader, richer wine with more weight and power on the palate. Bright and vibrant on the palate with a fine mineral undertone helping to knit everything together. There’s nice lift on the back end with a rush of bitter cherry fruit supported by ample yet supple tannins. This finishes with real elegance and purity, vibrancy as well, and the fruit drives it all. 92pts

2013 Cordero di Montezemolo Barolo  Enrico VI

The oak here is also obvious but there is so much going on underneath with bright yet super ripe fruit. In the mouth this is so well knit together, showing very fine balance and tension in the mouth, with hints of ripe herbs and a suggestion of tomato leaf on the palate supported by precise fine grained tannins, and a nice more impactful expression of clay here on the finish, This is  going to turn off some of the purists but this is a solid player at this level, more iron fist than the more opulent and softer Gattera, which has a bigger tannin impact, this is more austere, more regal, more Castiglione with solid length on the finish. 92pts

2013 Claudio Fenocchio Barolo Cannubi 14%

This also has a veneer of wood spice on the nose, it's a bit more pronounced than on the castellero sweeter and spicier slightly obscuring slow to emerge rose petal notes and a slightly herbaceous base tone. Soft and once again a bit easy going in the mouth though one finds lovely depth on the palate with fine detail to the red cherry fruit. This really shows its potential on the long finish with classic austerity and freshness to the white cherry fruit.  Cylindrical in form, this is well knit, supple, with fine tannins and good length. A lovely nuanced wine that needs to drop a bit of fat. 92pts

2013 Fratelli Manzone Barolo Bricco San Pietro Fraschin 14.5%

More nuanced and restrained on the nose with more rose petals and rose hip character laid over a smoky and earthy base with fresh herbs on the nose. Tight, denser but lighter in the mouth than the 2012, with lovely slightly herbal toned flavors on the midpalate layered over fine soil tones. These tannins are fine grained lending this classical detail and structure that is very much in harmony with its size and that recalls the texture of 2010 Barolo very much. Has a bright future but is less ready than the 2012 today with a lovely nuance of old wood adding complexity, to the long finish. 92pts

2013 Mario Marengo Barolo Bricco delle Viole  14.5%

Spicy nose, the oak spice accents the cardamom and middle eastern spiciness of the nose that is joined by intense floral note, hints of jasmine and  leather. On the palate this has a really appealing combination of richness and finesse, the wood tannin seems more at home here, receding to reveal great cut on the finish and clarity through the finale where admittedly the wood again plays a somewhat prominent role. A bit tight and probably closing up but this has everything in balance with a deft touch. 92pts

2013 Marcarini Barolo Brunate 14%

Dark, oily and earthy on the nose, air brings out hints of blackberry with dried orange peel,  tobacco notes, and a hint of dates. A touch weighty on entry, rich yet remaining elegant with a tight core of fruit wrapped around ripe, rounded tannins. A classic  iron fist in a  velvet glove. This is classic perfumed Brunate, in need of time of course, but this has the stuffing, to age, already shows lovely ripe fruits and the lovely ripeness to the tannins lends this a harmony, and a certain openness already. 92pts

2013 Giulia Negri Serradenari Barolo La Vetta  14%

Sweet tobacco,, hot stones, and dark cherry fruit offer lovely complexity on the nose.  A little chewy and broad in the mouth, this offers a mouthful of wine that remains bright and transparent.  Fine grained, limestone tannins support the midpalate lending this a touch of austerity as aromas of mint and wild herbs accent the fruit in the mouth. Quite structured, fine and long with wonderful persistence of raspberry fruit on the finish. 92pts

2013 Palladino Barolo Parafada

Initially quite tarry and rich with the perfumes of licorice and wild fennel all blended with a well integrated oak shading. Quite pure elegant and complex on the nose, with a dark ripeness to the fruit,  air brings out some freshly ground coffee notes and a nutty sweetness of wood. Very fine and elegant in the mouth, showing lovely clarity with balsamic inner mouth perfumes, supple tannins, and transparent limestone base notes. Fine, juicy length with a hint of blood or age on the backend. This has the lightness and elegance of most 13s with a thin sheen of fruit that shows beautiful clarity, and fine length, with beautiful echoes of fruit on the finish. I expect the oak to integrate. 92pts

2013 Palladino Barolo Ornato

Tight nose, mineral driven and austere with burnished white cherry fruit. This smell hard with just a hint of coffee cream on the nose. Reticent, tight and focused in the mouth, this is rather sleek on the palate, a bit linear and definitely more austere though with a subtle richness and powerful mineral notes. It's rich without being weighty, and very well balanced with freshness and a lovely harmony on the finish, which shows oyster shell minerality and almost salty notes. With freshness and snap, the fruit recalls wild raspberry with incipient hints of truffle and a slightly licorice based medicinal undertone. Love the tannins here, austere but noble. This shows real length. 92pts

2013 Reva Barolo Ravera 14.5%

Dark fruit on the nose shows a bit of carob and prune, as well as tobacco and sweet briar spice. Aromatically intense and layered with lovely base of fruit. With impressive fruit impact early on the palate, then turning bright and juicy with a certain transparency and tension that lends this a rather classic character this teases the palate with limestone driven flavors that show nuanced blue floral and bitter cherry skin flavors. Finishing with length and energy, this is decidedly soil driven, well balanced, and hinting at emerging complexity while showing off a really rich core of that bitter cherry fruit. Still a touch chewy, this really is intriguing. 92pts


2013 Francesco Rinaldi Barolo 14%

This has a core of fruit with a hint of darkness then masses of sweet tobacco notes, camphor, watermelon, and balsamic character, real intensity and character here, There's also some wood here adding a brown sugar sweetness. This is quite ready compared to the crus, round and almost velvety with layered red cherry, tobacco, and small green herbal flavors. Gentle tannins and juicy acids are in fine balance, this is precise and pure. A really fine example of this wine. 92pts

2013 Giovanni Rosso Barolo Serra.

Tea with lemon, camomile, wild cherry fruit., and a hint of fungi greet the nse. An incipient truffle flavor lays under a palate of fairly taut cherry fruit. Lean and restrained at the moment though with lovely balance and very fine ripe tannins layered over a fine limestone white soil tone that drives the finish. There's a nice bitter tone to the soil that recalls Francia a touch. Very southern Serralunga like. Finishes with hints of fennel and camomile. A real step up from the Barolo Serralunga. 92pts

2013 Giovanni Sordo Barolo Parussi

Big ripeness and freshness here on the nose with lots of cherries in alcohol that comes off a bit sweet along with moist soil tones, balsamic, and rose petal aromas. Rich and smooth with a hint of prune or date flavor. This is round in the mouth with a nice grassy, herbal notes lending complexity and nuance. Finely balanced with good length, the tannins are just a touch extracted but this is very nicely done. 92pts

2013 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo San Lorenzo di Verduno 14%

This has a really nice perfume, there's a spice note, a hint of small oily seeds, melting licorice as well, some floral notes. Lively in the mouth, this has some energy to it, juicy, super fine expression of fruit with high toned, sandalwood and candied  orange peel, candied orange  flavors on the midpalate turning a touch spicy on the moderately long finish. Nervous in the mouth with good persistence to this spicy fruit. Finishes with a slightly darker fruit in alcohol note. 91pts

2013 Cascina Ballarin Barolo Bussia

Hints of suntan lotion and creamy coffee are layered over smoky oak and  lots of strawberry fruit on the nose.  Elegant in the mouth with mineral notes early on the palate followed by wild cherry and white cherry skins This is elegant with lovely ripeness to the tannins, a little chewy weight in the mouth and sneaky length. The oak is fairly well used here, you can’t help but notice it but it remains in balance. 91pts

2013 Baudana Barolo Cerretta 14.5%

Intensely floral with rosemary toned evergreen shadings, followed by hints of BBQ spice and black pepper, maybe a hint of vanilla here though certainly a creamy aspect to the tart red cherry fruit. Light and delicate on entry then this tightens up significantly, gaining weight on the palate. There’s a fair amount of  juicy, tart red fruit offering a fascinating contrast to the Baudana. This seems more complex and frankly fruitier than the Baudana, but without that wine’s innate harmony remaining a touch rustic and chewy.  A bit spicy on the backend, this drops off fairly quickly, with limestone tannins that are mineral and dry. 91pts

2013 Boasso Barolo Gabutti 14%

More floral and geranium accented with some spicy, sandalwood notes and a hint of candied watermelon lending freshness on the nose. More fruit with tannins that are more assertive, offering good midpalate cut and limestone length. Dusty and fine, and open knit. Texture, it's got firm tannins but drifts gently to fill the mouth with fruit that is is minty fresh, precise, and bright, the impression of terror here is assertive. 91pts

2013 Chiara Boschis Barolo Mosconi 14%

Lots of oak perfume on the nose, along with lots of dark herb notes laid over fruit that shows signs of prune and roasted strawberry. This is a bit matte in the mouth, there's plenty of acid but less energy than the two previous wines. Rich with tannins and almost luscious fruit, remaining fairly tannic through the backend.. There’s no doubt that the site is responsible for the dark muscularity here, and the dark cherry fruit along with nice inner mouth perfumes on the midpalate, but the wood really contributes to the masculine nature here. Long and fine, though wood tannin does emerge on the finish. 91pts

2013 Aldo Conterno Barolo Bussia 14%
Very floral right out of the bottle, this certainly smells of a hint of wood but it's well restrained and melds with the suggestion of rose hips. Bright, really fresh in the mouth with bright acids and fine grained tannins supporting strongly floral inner mouth perfumes of rose buds and rose water. Transparent and very complete with a fine lacy structure showing off perfectly ripe fruit laced with hints of river stones. A somewhat succulent wine that remains quite elegant though finishing with powerful yet ripe tannins,  lovely vibrancy and transparency. 91pts


2013 Cordero di Montezemolo Barolo Gattera

Here there is more pronounced cedary aromas on the nose, very floral, lots of cherry jubilee fruit here. On the palate this is soft, dense, and a touch flannely, though it remains bright in the mouth with darker cherry fruit, more tannin than the Monfalletto but it feels like fruit tannin.  This is also a spicier wine with more of a ripe herb minty note on the palate and real persistence to the fruit. 91pts

2013 Poderi Luigi Einaudi Barolo Terlo 14%

Shows a touch of wood spice early on the nose, which is very tight and reticent. Bright in the mouth with lacy tannins and juicy acidity that is tight in the mouth but fairly broad on the palate. The midpalate shows a nice hint of chewiness with lovely inner mouth perfumes of cherry fruit and hints of leather and forest floor. Finishing with a juicy quality, this is very well balanced and all is in harmony though it remains a bit of a cipher at this stage of the game. Still very promising. 91pts

2013 Fracassi Ratti Mentone Barolo

Tight on the nose with obviously more fruit but also fine rose petal notes than the 2012. This is obviously a bigger wine, with more of everything, more flesh, more fruit, more tannin, though it is really well proportioned. Quite long in the mouth with a lovely hint of density, this will be elegant but has a delicacy in spite of its power. Such lovely fruit on the finish with purity and persistence. This closes up a bit with air, also showing a bit more wood influence, nothing disturbing but becoming more evident while at the same time this gains macerated black cherries with hints of spice and leather on entry. 91pts

2013 Monchiero Barolo Rocche  14.5%
Tight, just bottled two months ago, aromatically very reticent with slowly unfolding notes of meaty, smoked Salumi, red fruit, lots of dried rose petals, rose stems, a nice camphor accent and a hint of talc. Rather finely textured, this shows a certain degree of ripeness with an attractive delicacy, remaining lean and perfumed in the mouth, showing pure cherry fruit with rose petals, hints of dried citrus peels, and camphor. The tannins are very ripe, a touch soft and vague on the fairly long finish, but there is real delicacy and elegance here though. 91pts

2013 Giulia Negri Barolo Serradenari 14%

Much more aromatically intense with pronounced  soil driven aromas underpinning briary and smoky/stemmy aromas with subtle red fruit framing notes. Bigger and broader in the mouth with lots of fine, slightly dark cherry fruit.  Layered and complex in the mouth already, with firm yet well managed tannins and vibrant acids keeping this fresh and lively. Endowed with  a core of very pure, detailed, red fruit with a savory finish. Tannins are long with a touch of clay spice on the finale. 91pts

2013 Ferdinando Principiano  Barolo Serralunga 13%

A little stewy on the nose with with with ample stoney, balsamic, and medicinal accents over deep limestone aromas. There's terrific fruit here, and such lovely balance that this is approachable already. The tannins arrive late on the palate, deceptively fine and soft, emerging on the the fairly long finish. Mineral flecked in the mouth and subtly woodsy, with an incipient dried mushroom note embedded in silky and pure fruit. Fnishes with brightness and an almost menthol camphor note. Really fine and elegance. 91pts

2013 Viberti Barolo Buon Padre  14%

Smells of soil, dried cherry fruit, and leather, with a top note of minty spice. Seamless if brighter in style, not a lot of flesh here, ripe tannins, a solid core of red fruit, very youthful but moderately expressive already. Tannic but the tannins are finely ripe. Hints of asphalt emerge on the nose, the minerally midpalate leads to a firm, dried cherry fruited finish, classic old school Barolo. 91pts

2013 G.D. Vajra Barolo Albe 14%

Sliced cherry in alcohol on the nose, quite fruity, a touch of a dark tone to the fruit. Rich, round and medium full in the mouth with tannins that are a touch dry, chewy though with great inner mouth perfumes. This lacks the nuance and complexity of the top wines but this is lovely, rich, and complete, with tannins really grab the tongue on the modest finish, which could be the shortcoming here. Still it's rose scented, dark berry and tart plum flavored, full mouth of Barolo at a very affordable price. More powerful and serious than many vintages of Albe. 91pts

2013 G.D. Vajra Barolo Ravera 14%

Intensely perfumed, though there’s a delicacy here on the nose with terrific definition to the perfumes of ripe herbs, rose petals, a bit of chalk, astringent red fruit, and a hint of pink peppercorn, Ripe and softer in style than the other Barolos on offer here, though the tannins here are aggressive with an angular edge to them.  Bright and transparent though without the finesse of the Bricco delle Viole. 91pts

2013 Massolino Barolo 13.5%

A tight little now with a hint or arugula freshness on the nose. With a big entry, this turns rather lacy and finely textured in the mouth Ripe tannins support a gorgeous core of fresh red fruit that turns a bit burnished and powerful on the fairly long finish. So fresh in the mouth, elegant and fine, remaining light on the plate but so long, elegant and deceptively powerful. 91pts

2013 Massolino Barolo Parussi  14%

More balsamic and slightly animale on the nose with bitter orange skin aroms.  Rich though supple, with tannins that are abundant but relatively soft. This offers up lots of fruit tannin, turning chewy and tannic on the finish. It’s a lovely wine with a wild berry fruit character and good length but lacks the elegance of the Serralunga wines in this portfolio. A powerhouse that is a bit of a brute. 91pts

2013 Giovanni Sordo Barolo Villero

Intense and tarry on the nose with more heat here as well along with an added layer of ripeness. With lots of sweet fruit early on the palate. which is  richer and more supple than the previous wines. Combining  a nice bit of power, with bright acids, nice soil base notes, and  excellent amarena cherry fruit and lightly grassy, soil inflected nuances, this is well balanced, moderately long, and fairly complex. 91pts

2013 Le Strette  Barolo Bergera Pezzole 15%

Dark on the  nose, this shows dark, slightly roasted strawberry fruit aromas with hints of sandalwood and a bit of medicinal spice. A decidedly dark, earthy wine in the mouth with great tannin ripeness though this is chewily full of extract. This lacks the immediate appeal of the Corini, but it has more depth and attractive macerated cherry fruit on the palate, which shows good persistence on the long finish with attractive blue mineral soil notes on the finale, along with a hint of heat.  A bit antiseptic and spicy in the mouth but complex, well balanced if rich, and detailed.spice 91pts

2013 Amelia Barolo Bussia

Barrel Sample

Lot of floral notes greet the nose along with a  bit of citrus sharpness, smoke, dried meat, and bitter cherry all offering nice intensity and complexity. Again a touch soft on entry though there is plenty of structure here, super freshness and detail in the mouth, a bit caressing in the Bussia style, just a shading of denseness detracts from the mouth. This needs time to develop complexity but it does already  shows super fruit and balance already, a touch short perhaps but this is barrel sample.  88-92pts

2013 Azelia Barolo San Rocco 14.5%

Oaky but certainly after the last two wines here it's well used,  lots of dark, bitter, licorice and medicinal laced fruit on the nose. Opening a touch low in the mouth, this has a nice core of fruit, nothing explosive, with fine grained tannins, that leave a sandy and dusty impression on the palate. There’s good length here with a little chewiness and a nice bright character with a core of wild red cherry fruit that drifts from the palate to the finish with an edge of gentle sweetness. Has everything in balance and is typical of the vintage but you do have to enjoy oak in your Barolo to really like this. 90pts

2013 Boasso Barolo Margheria 14%

Green streaks and roasted chestnut greet the nose with sweet dark cherry fruit aromas laid over a base of gentle licorice and some vaguely tarry caroby base notes. This has a fine core  of fruit to it, bright, clear and tense with fine grained tannins, the best tannins of this lineup. Delicate with good drive on the palate supported by those really fine grained tannins It's smaller scaled than the previous wines but has everything in balance, good herb medicinal tinged accents to the cherry fruit on the moderately long finish. Not terribly complex but a solid example of Serralunga Barolo in a slightly easier drinking, earlier maturing style. 90pts

2013 Cascina Ballarin Barolo Tre Ciabot 14.5%

A bit of smoky nuance greets the nose followed by a little sweet nuttiness and gentle, and low rose petal notes. Elegant and finely textured in the mouth, this is juicy with lovely freshness to the mineral laced red fruit flavors that display good depth here. A bit of a sneaky wine with pretty transparent fruit and fine length, it takes some paying attention to but rewards those willing to do so. 90pts

2013 Broccardo Barolo Bricco San Pietro

More soil toned on the nose, dusty and white soil aromas are paired with tight very rose petal scented floral notes in a subtle and nuanced package. Elegant wine, lovely nuanced style with precise red berry fruit, fine tannins, and really attractive balsamic and earthy notes framing the fruit in the mouth, turning a bit chewy on the backend but overall this remains bright and fresh ina  more serious style than the I Tre Pais. 90pts

2013 G.B. Burlotto Barolo 14%

A hint of iodine greets the nose followed by lovely floral, chalky mineral, and soil driven aromas with with some herbal, stemmy influence. Nuanced and delicate on entry with a little cinnamon early on the palate followed by  floral and mineral flavors tinged with a wash of sweet, red cherry fruit. While youthful this is already accessible with great acids and sweet if chewy  tannins in what is a big package for this base Barolo. The finish is dominated by menthol, chalk, rosehips and camfour. A powerful little wine, which makes for a classic introduction to the house style. 90pts

2013 Gianni Canonica Barolo del Grinzane Cavour 14.5%

DelIcate, earthy and fairly light on the nose, with a gentle intensity to the ferrous mineral base notes. Light bodied, very pretty  and long in the mouth with an open, delicate character.  There's a real depth to the fruit on the palate, slightly dusty, red toned with hints of rosehips, though this is a bit short today revealing only a lingering licorice note on the finale. 90pts

2013 Ettore Germano Barolo Serralunga 14%

Less ripe and finer than the  2012, seemingly a real step up on the nose which is reticent yet lovely with freshness and lift that the 12 lacks though it delivers a similar cherry fruited, tarry, and slightly earthy, baked soil aromatic profile. Bright, juicy,and  lively in the mouth, the palate is graced with ripe tannins, elegance, finesse, depth, and minerality,  with finely ripe tannins lingering on the  cleansing finish,  smells of hot soil. 90pts

2013 Ghisolfi Barolo Bricco Visette Riserva

A bit more mocha and cigar box on the nose, but at the same time this shows lots of spicy red fruit, rosehips, and a touch of coriander. lively in the mouth, a touch dense and chewy and still folded in on itself with more minerality than the 12 and a riper though not over-ripe fruit profile all underpinned with ripe but fine, noble tannins, Good length and focus to the finish, a bit of wood tannin is a bit off putting, yet this is able to retain a certain transparency in the mouth and detail to the fruit;  it's sort of modern without a doubt but has the feel if not the flavor profile of a more traditional made wine. This has tannin to burn but is also endowed with solid acidity, dusty notes grace the finale, a touch medicinal with lots of cherry skin quality, well made but the finale is dry tannin and wood toned. If the wood integrates this could be quite good. It’s certainly powerful. 90pts

2013 Marcarini Barolo La Serra 14%

Spicy and floral on the nose, lovely and intense with a hint of sweetness, sweet cherry fruits,  fine spice and spicy herb accents notes,really complexity and intensity Broad in the mouth for la Serra, with fine if slightly stemmy tannins supporting a juicy, herbal base topped with juicy citrusy notes on the palate, which is lightweight and driven more by acid than tannin. More open and obvious than the Brunate, as is typically the case. This is already showing hints of evolution, most notably on the moderately long finish with it's hints of chamomile, dried lemon rind, and tea aromas.  Pleasant and complex if not rich and fruity,  young but fairly open. 90pts

2013 Mario Marengo Barolo

A little pencil lead on the nose along with classic rose petal and macerated cherry fruit. A touch tight but pretty, with a little licorice on entry, a bit delicate but pure and vibrant with softish, sweet tannins, but again there are the wood tannins that make themselves known later on the palate. Gentle red fruit leads to an elegant finish with  good length. This gains some power and weight on the backend, and offers good depth with a tarry hint on the finale and  plenty of tannins. 90pts

2013 Giovanni Sordo Barolo Gabbuti

Tarry and dark with aromas of oily seeds, dark cherry and spice in alcohol, and a hint of prosciutto. Lovely on entry, round yet broad shouldered and rather chiseled in the midpalate. With lovely energy and brightness in the mouth, even if the tannins remain a touch crude, this is very attractive with good balance and excellent potential. 90pts

2013 Giovanni Sordo Barolo Monprivato

Rather ripe, leathery, and little iodine on the savory nose. Decidedly front loaded in the mouth, big on entry, broad with slightly roasted, tart, yellow cherry fruit, that is chewy with dusty tannins. Rather complete with a small drop off on the midpalate, it's really quite satisfying though and moderately long. 90pts

2013 Giovanni Sordo Barolo Perno

Masculine on the nose, very savory and rather spicy, with some prosciutto aromas. Softish, full, mineral and savory flavored, in the mouth if a bit crude. This has lots of flavor, mineral, chewy and powerful, mineral and dusty with citrus flavors that are very vertical in the mouth followed by big, acid driven tart red fruit finish. A bit of a powerhouse. 90pts

2013 Le Strette Barolo Corini Pallaretta

Big on the nose a little vanilla tone to the red, raspberry fruit, and a nice lilac accent.  Right off the bat this has more flesh in the mouth than the previous wine,  juicy with tannins that are riper, There’s lovely white cherry fruit flavors with a touch of mineral spice on the palate and good length with an aromatic finish that shows flashes of white flowers and wood spice. Really quite lovely. 90pts

2013 Fratelli Alessandria Barolo 14%

Aromatically a bit subdued after the previous wines with fine, sweet cherry fruit, a hint of chalk, some tree bark, a little camphor and some almost cocoa undertones. Lovely texture with a bright juicy feel, though this comes off as a little simple with bright tart red cherry fruit, a touch of tree bark and a faint hint of quinine. Tannins are ripe lending this a nearly supple texture.  This won't need much time, simple, fun, authentic Barolo, good length really lovely acid integration, but uncomplicated. 89pts

2013 Broccardo Barolo I Tre Pais 14%

Fine floral accent notes to the rather deep and assertive cherry in alcohol aromas which have a light sweetness to them in a burnished fruit way.  A little balsamic on entry then intensely cherry fruited, showing like hard but not sweet candy with fine clarity and inner mouth perfumes. This shows the superb balance of the vintage, elegant and fine with attractive purity to the finale. 89pts

2013 Alberto Burzi Barolo

Floral delicate and perfumed on the nose with more than a nuance of wood but nothing disturbing. There is no fat here; this is lean sleek and focused. Taut on the palate with red berry fruit framed with nuanced floral and ivy aromas all topped with a hint of sandalwood. Tannins are fine grained. This is vibrant, delicate and refined, while very drinkable I don’t see this making old bones. Time will tell but it’s delicious now so perhaps there is no point in waiting. 89pts

2013 Cordero di Montezemolo Barolo Monfalleto

Definitely shows the influence of oak but there's an underlying sweetness of fruit here,  black fruit, milk chocolate, a hint of jellied fruit candy  and a touch of peppery spice round out the aromatics.  Big yet elegant, wood tannin on the palate but this doesn't taste of wood, instead one finds slightly spicy, dark cherry fruit with a slightly savory edge, a hint of nuttiness perhaps. Texturally there’s actually a lovely core of austerity here, good length,and a  lovely finish with those gently austere tannins, not weighty, fairly transparent, with great balance. 89pts

2013 Le Ceccho Barolo Sorano

Meaty on the nose with notable  hot iron and mineral aromas keeping this dark and almost medicinal. Certainly smells of Serralunga, the  wood is there but not covering the fruit. Certainly a step up on intensity, complexity, and richness from the base Barolo with more floral, evergreen, and spice notes in the mouth but at the same time this shows a similar lean and earthy base of fruit. Clean, focused finish, quite good and vibrant and certainly juicy. 89pts

2013 Claudio Fenocchio Barolo Castellero 14%

Cedary on the nose,  there's a touch of wood here, not obtrusive but present, otherwise this is not very expressive on the nose. Supple and rich in the mouth, with solid depth to the lovely wild cherry fruit. Round and lithe on entry, this is easy going, if a bit plump, turning a bit tight on the back end where the fairly tannic becomes more apparent. The tannins are ripe, lending this good length, driven in part by these ripe and abundant tannins with enough acidity to accentuate the citrusy top notes here. 89pts

2013 Reva Barolo 14%

Savory on the nose with a leading hint of cinnamon followed by big rosehips framed dark cherry fruit in a fruity and clean style. This opens with lots of fruit and quite ripe fruit but it remains rather tense and bright, brash even up front, with ripe tannins supporting a small core of wild berry fruit that is graced with subtle balsamic framing notes.This is however quite tannic, tannins are ripe but this is a classic expression with muscle and a certain austerity that leads to a clay toned, bright finish that is packed with tannin. Should be fun to watch this evolve. It doesn’t seem to have great complexity but good fruit and a thoroughly engaging texture. 89pts

2013 Rizieri Barolo 14.5%

Green walnut greets the nose followed by cherries in alcohol, pickled watermelon rind, lots of citrus character on a nose that offers soldi complexity based on savoriness, not only fruit,  with tight little rosebuds and a hint of evergreen adding detail.  Elegant and soft in the mouth, with burnished fruit that is more intense than the nose suggests.A candied citrus peel note on entry leads to a midpalate that is a bit spicy with dark berry fruits supported by soft tannins and bright acids. A little chewy on the rather long finish, this is lovely and complete but the style is a little less successful than with the varietal wines. The tannins are ripe, almost soft but certainly build on the palate and might be a bit outsized for the fruit here, finishes with a hint of minerality. 89pts

2013 Giovanni Rosso Barolo Serralunga

Mineral medicinal and fennel pollen notes grace the nose with a fine base of slightly foxy dark berry fruit. Lots of emergent iron notes show early on the palate which has a nice texture, rich with soft tannins. Slight balsamic toned fruit is subdued at the moment but with a lot of fruit and a nice balsamic cast to the inner mouth perfumes. Tannins are not shy, though this is texturally well knit, if youthfully rough. 89pts

2013 Giovanni Sordo Barolo Ravera

Slightly herbal on the nose with hints of dried lemon peel adding complexity to the core of slightly darker fruit. Lovely on entry with a supple, elegant feel yet well filled out and fairly fruity with tarry and red cherry flavors. Pleasant and slightly tart on the finish with slightly chewy if ripe tannins lending some grip. 89pts

2013 Giovanni Sordo Barolo Rocche

Lovely rose petal and raspberry fruit aromas are joined by sandy and wildflower notes on the nose.  Tight, focused, and finely textured in the mouth with bright cherry fruit with a real tannic bite on the palate that lingers on the modest finish. A bit tough for Rocche. it has the elegance of the site but the structure is excessive. Cellaring might bring this into better balance. It certainly has some potential.  89pts

2013 Chiarlo Barolo Cerequio 14%

Stone and the nose and oddly showing a bit of heat from the cool vintage, it’s very ripe and slightly dark fruited, framed with moderate but obvious wood spice. A bit soft on entry, round and supple, creamy even with a very nice cherry and almost green spice note in the mouth. Rounded, with supple tannins,  chewy with some dry wood tannin clipping the finish,  touch crude and dry but with good, if notably ripe fruit. 88pts

2013 Gianni Gagliardo Barolo Lazzarito Vigna Preve 14.5%

Ripe, sweet and oaky on the nose, not totally ruined by oak but sweetly oaky,. Round and a actually quite attractive on entry. Mineral laced flavors in the mouth, with the wood showing good integration on the mid palate and the finish, which  is well balanced with fresh fruit and some residual wood tannin but nothing offensive. Tastes better than it smells, a bit weighty perhaps in the mouth but not unpleasant. The finish shows a touch of menthol and lots of persistence to the bright red fruit. 88pts

2013 Palladino Barolo Serralunga

Slightly feral. Ferrous, and animal on the nose with dark, tarry fruit and a slatey accent note, There's a sweetness and light meatiness here, bright wine, plenty of acid lending this freshness in the mouth with a lovely green streak to this that should lend this quite a floral aspect at maturity. Tart cherry and plum fruit shows good poise and focus on the palate with ripe, fine grained yet slightly austere tannins. Moderately good length with a finish that is drive by acidity and tannins are very well managed, with a nice light mineral wash on the back palate as well, contributing to length and complexity on the finish. 88pts

2013 Giovanni Sordo Barolo Monvigliero

With some typical Monvigliero strawberry and truffle character on the nose along with spicy and oystershell aromas this is intriguing. In the mouth one finds a delicate,  elegant, and easy going wine that is a bit subdued with fine tannins supporting small orange and strawberry fruit. There’s good minerality on the backend, with a nice finish, though this too is a little crude. 88pts

2013 Le Strette Barolo Bergeisa 14.5%

Light on the nose, low if lovely with soil driven aromas of tar and pollen. fine and elegant in the mouth as well though a touch lean perhaps but with a lovely core of red fruit. The tannins here lack the perfect ripeness so any 13s exhibit, lending this a touch of coarseness which is obvious on the slightly hollow midpalate which does however lead to a long, juicy finish. Time could be kind here, filling on the midpalate and lending polish to the tannins. 88pts

2013 Bovio Barolo 14%

Shows clarity on the nose with wonderful purity to the blond tobacco, sandy soil and spice notes that might come from wood but seem totally natural and intrinsic to the wine. A small scaled wine but well balanced, transparent and approachable already with simple but attractive raspberry and mineral tinged fruit that gains a touch of meaty and blond tobacco complexity on the backend and through  the modest finish. 87pts

2013 Brezza Barolo Classico 13.5%

Nuanced on the nose, quite floral with a touch of citron peel and a hint of wild fennel framing bright red fruit. Light on the palate, fresh and with mineral laced red fruit on the palate. Tannins are a just a hint dry, tight with rose petals and blood orange on the modest finish. Shows hints of being ready fairly early with spicy polleny notes on the modest finish. 87pts

2013 Aldo Clerico Barolo 14%

This smells like newer wood was used here, tight and a bit dense with a resinous note and lots of dandelion under creamy sweet configure of cherry fruit. Big in the mouth with fine inner mouth perfumes of fresh cherry fruit, flowers and hints of evergreen. A bit simple and slightly loosely knit, with fine powdery tannins on the moderately long finish, though it is juicy and the supple tannins of the vintage make this attractive. 87pts

2013 Tenuta Montanello Barolo 14.5%

Very pleasant, there's some wood here but there are also fine clay aromas, red cherry fruit and nuanced cinnamon spice, pork fat, and black pepper accents. In the mouth the oak spice is a bit assertive, noticeable on the dry, austere palate where the wood tannins are contributing to the impact here.  Nicely structured for a thirteen, but this does carry significant tannins on the palate with  little richness to the fruit. A bit short but this is fresh and fairly precise with dried maraschino cherry fruit, a hint of dried orange peel and some fairly pleasant baked pie crust notes on the finish. 87pts

2013 Giulia Negri Pinot Noir Tartufaia 13.5%

A touch of sweet fruit and wood compete on the nose,  which is interesting but a bit unformed yet. A bit candied, elegant, and rather hightoned in the mouth,which shows both a bit of a wood and a nice savory herbal aspect of Pinot. Very juicy, easy and pleasant with good length in almost a Beaujolais style. 87pts

2013 Vietti Barolo Castiglione 14%

Spicy on the nose, with cinnamon notes gracing the nose, which is a touch meaty and flat. There's some sweet spice notes early on the palate, then this turns a bit light bodied and easy going, broad and open but without much detail. There are nice ripe tannins, and a nice finish, easy, a bit short and a bit simple. 87pts

2013 Boasso Barolo Serralunga 14%

Perfumed on the nose with an early a hint of herb at first then decidedly more floral and slightly medicinal. There's a hint of pruniness here as well, moderately rich fruit up front with a nice delicate fell, easy going if traditional barolo with classic cherry fruit and herb framing notes palate. A bit simple and just a little chewy. 86pts

2013 Le Ceccho Barolo 14%

Shows some wood imprint on the nose with a little peppery spice, A bit tight. A smaller scaled wine, a little flannelly in texture,  moderately rich, and rounded with the supple tannins ofthe vintage supporting juicy, sour red berry fruit a little cranberry toned. A bit dry but bright, in the mouth as well as a bit short but juicy. Decent length. 86pts

2013 Ghisolfi Barolo Bussia

Quite similar to the 12 on the nose with even more apparent oak influence followed by some rose petal and rose hip notes though not a lot of fruit yet. There's another layer of fruit here in the mouth buffering the tannin, it's a rounder more opulent expression with a deeper core of ripe and succulent cherry fruit on the midpalate, not a lot of complexity yet though, with tannins that are more fruit derived though still dry and austere. Tight, well balanced and well made though the oak flavors are surprising, chewy and a little coarse still but at the same time embryonic. 86pts

2013 Giovanni Sordo Barolo Classico.

Evolved on the nose and old woody in an old school way with spicy, candied aromas. Better in the mouth than on the nose with an approachable feel,  decent fruit and modest complexity if a little crude but light and easy drinking. 86pts

2013 Voerzio Martini Barolo La Serra 14%

good depth to the nose but you have to be a beaver to like this. Aromatically this is all fish sauce, smoke, and spice. There is good clarity in the mouth,more supple and certainly more complete than the 12, a bit tight still, with plenty of wood tannin here on the palate as well, but with much more covering flesh and fruit that reaches the end of the admittedly wood spiced finish. It's too oaky but it is pleasant enough. 85pts

2013 Mauro Sebaste Barolo Prapo 14.5%

Meatier and spicier on the nose with more of a soil impression and less of an overt wood influence.  Dark, fruitier, and rounder for sure but showing a similar sign of early maturation. Bright if dry in the mouth with rose water and raspberry early on the palate followed by nice earthy notes and bitter cherry fruit on the backend which leads into a short, dry finish. 84pts

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