Cascina delle Rose
April 2023 visit
Cascina delle rose
2022 thick skins, small berries, low juice to skin ratio
2019 more liner like 2013
2022 Cascina delle Rose Dolcetto
From Marcorino and Tre Stelle
Barrel sample, fresh, a touch reductive, dense and floral, nicely done, a touch foursquare then quite angular, violet, fairly dense and tannic, good juicy acids, lovely wine, angular, clear but marked by the character of the vintage which is to say a bit dense. should be good. 91pts
2021 Cascina delle Rose Nebbiolo
Tre Stelle, never sees wood
So fresh on the nose, mint, green herbs, a touch of iris and walnut, very high toned floral nature, Delicate, wonderful texture and weight, fine tannins, long, almost silky already with strong citrus, lemon accents to the raspberry strawberry fruit. Tthe strong savory nature of Nebbiolo emerges on the backend, so perfumed. Absolutely seductive its a blend of all the classic Nebbiolo flavors with an elegant and refined texture 94pts
2021 Cascina delle Rose Barbera D’’Alba
Barrel sample 12-15 in botte
Marcorino and Tre Stelle
Quite intense inky, plummy, a bit pruny and somewhat over-ripe, with blackberry fruit, a touch of black currant and torrefaction. Much fresher in the mouth, broad, juicy lots of blackberry fruit, has a bit of dry tannin here as well, a disconnect between the nose and mouth, fresh and medium weight with some pulp towards the backend, great acid finish. Would like more freshness on the nose. 88pts
2020 Cascina delle Rose Barbera d’Alba Superiore Dona Elena
Up to 18-20 months in wood, bottled at the same time as the Barbaresco
Another rather ripe nose but with more tobacco, hint of wood, more floral with nice lift to it and a spicy herbaceous tone. Quite complex with light earth and and dried floral base notes, broad, deep, finely textured. A gorgeous wine has a fine edge of ivy up front followed by blackberry, black cherry fruit, nice cut, integrated acids, lovely balanced and drive with a touch of spice on the slightly modest finish. Real elegance and finesse for Barbera, lengthens with air, real persistence of fruit which is complex and deep. 93pts
2020 Cascina delle Rose Barbaresco Tre Stelle
Barrel Sample
Gorgeous nose, a warm bowl of wild berries topped with delicate and well defined notes of green herbs, lime peel, and blood orange, hints of clay and mint. An explosion of fruit on entry, totally mimics the nose, total transparency, fine texture, with just a bit of flesh, very present if ripe tannins. Tight o nthe finish, good depth, super structural balance if on the structured side, the finish is full of almost salty soil tones covered by crushed berry fruit, really complete with extremely fine potential. 95pts
2020 Cascina delle Rose Barbaresco Rio Sordo
Barrel Sample
A nice percentage of rose clone mixed in one of the older plots
A more masculine nose, more cologne, sandalwood, vetiver, dark cherry fruit, more limestone, mineral character on the nose, round, has some richness to it, lovely freshness of fruit, lacks the nuance and complexity of the Tre Stelle, less tannic but harder tannins, leaves the palate quite dusty, very friendly style, round and fleshy though in need to time in the cellar, lots of dark cherry berry fruit. 92pts
2019 Cascina delle Rose Barbaresco Tre Stelle
Opened yesterday morning
Has a faint red cherry, gummy accent early on the nose, cherries in alcohol, so perfumed, complex and nuanced, Roships, seville orange, white flowers, Tight up front, this will need plenty of time, its phenomenally well balanced with remarkable purity of fruit slightly chewy but not weighty, lots of tart red berry fruit, dusty tannins, long and very fine, so elegant so detailed. 95pts
Cascina delle rose
2022 thick skins, small berries, low juice to skin ratio
2019 more liner like 2013
2022 Cascina delle Rose Dolcetto
From Marcorino and Tre Stelle
Barrel sample, fresh, a touch reductive, dense and floral, nicely done, a touch foursquare then quite angular, violet, fairly dense and tannic, good juicy acids, lovely wine, angular, clear but marked by the character of the vintage which is to say a bit dense. should be good. 91pts
2021 Cascina delle Rose Nebbiolo
Tre Stelle, never sees wood
So fresh on the nose, mint, green herbs, a touch of iris and walnut, very high toned floral nature, Delicate, wonderful texture and weight, fine tannins, long, almost silky already with strong citrus, lemon accents to the raspberry strawberry fruit. Tthe strong savory nature of Nebbiolo emerges on the backend, so perfumed. Absolutely seductive its a blend of all the classic Nebbiolo flavors with an elegant and refined texture 94pts
2021 Cascina delle Rose Barbera D’’Alba
Barrel sample 12-15 in botte
Marcorino and Tre Stelle
Quite intense inky, plummy, a bit pruny and somewhat over-ripe, with blackberry fruit, a touch of black currant and torrefaction. Much fresher in the mouth, broad, juicy lots of blackberry fruit, has a bit of dry tannin here as well, a disconnect between the nose and mouth, fresh and medium weight with some pulp towards the backend, great acid finish. Would like more freshness on the nose. 88pts
2020 Cascina delle Rose Barbera d’Alba Superiore Dona Elena
Up to 18-20 months in wood, bottled at the same time as the Barbaresco
Another rather ripe nose but with more tobacco, hint of wood, more floral with nice lift to it and a spicy herbaceous tone. Quite complex with light earth and and dried floral base notes, broad, deep, finely textured. A gorgeous wine has a fine edge of ivy up front followed by blackberry, black cherry fruit, nice cut, integrated acids, lovely balanced and drive with a touch of spice on the slightly modest finish. Real elegance and finesse for Barbera, lengthens with air, real persistence of fruit which is complex and deep. 93pts
2020 Cascina delle Rose Barbaresco Tre Stelle
Barrel Sample
Gorgeous nose, a warm bowl of wild berries topped with delicate and well defined notes of green herbs, lime peel, and blood orange, hints of clay and mint. An explosion of fruit on entry, totally mimics the nose, total transparency, fine texture, with just a bit of flesh, very present if ripe tannins. Tight o nthe finish, good depth, super structural balance if on the structured side, the finish is full of almost salty soil tones covered by crushed berry fruit, really complete with extremely fine potential. 95pts
2020 Cascina delle Rose Barbaresco Rio Sordo
Barrel Sample
A nice percentage of rose clone mixed in one of the older plots
A more masculine nose, more cologne, sandalwood, vetiver, dark cherry fruit, more limestone, mineral character on the nose, round, has some richness to it, lovely freshness of fruit, lacks the nuance and complexity of the Tre Stelle, less tannic but harder tannins, leaves the palate quite dusty, very friendly style, round and fleshy though in need to time in the cellar, lots of dark cherry berry fruit. 92pts
2019 Cascina delle Rose Barbaresco Tre Stelle
Opened yesterday morning
Has a faint red cherry, gummy accent early on the nose, cherries in alcohol, so perfumed, complex and nuanced, Roships, seville orange, white flowers, Tight up front, this will need plenty of time, its phenomenally well balanced with remarkable purity of fruit slightly chewy but not weighty, lots of tart red berry fruit, dusty tannins, long and very fine, so elegant so detailed. 95pts
From an on site visit May 2017
2015 shares a certain Character with 2009, colors of nebbiolo are cooked out here and there, alcohols are high and unlike 11 they are noticeable,
Once again these wines wow with their delicacy and finesse. This is the Bartolo Mascarello of Barbaresco. Though in saying that it might seem that I am giving short shrift to their Dolcetto and Barbera, which are as good as they come. A small producer, so these wines will never be that easy to find but the quality is high and prices remain relatively low so if your see them you owe it to yourself to grab a few examples to sample.
The reason for the quality here appears clear: it is truly a family business. Not that that in itself is a particular guarantee of quality, though one finds such a passion, love of the land, and conviction in organic farming among the family that it is easy to see why the quality is so consistently high here. As far as the style goes, elegance and finesse are the goal, that comes in no small part from Giovanna’s early efforts as well a simple respect for what their vineyards deliver each year. I love these wines. They offer early appeal as well as age worthiness and offer both terroir and vintage character such a clear and distinctive voice, though , in my experience they are never big or important wines, which has no doubt been a handicap in the world of the wine critic.
2016 Cascina delle Rose Dolcetto d’Alba 13.5%
All SS, bottled today
Wow. what a vivid violet color. Classic, blueberry,bitter almond, salted plum, and light mineral accents grace the nose. No doubt that this is in a fruity style, but with a delicacy to the fruit, and no stickiness here. Instead one finds a transparent, intense, fine mineral core, leading to a tight, slightly tannic finish that has real cut and nerve to it. Not nervous, but a snap of tension, second only to Francesco Clerico’s on this trip with real salinity on the finish and some musky floral tones emerging with air. Real solid potential. 93pts
2016 Cascina delle Rose Langhe Nebbiolo 14.5%
Barrel sample, SS, also using a part of Tre Stelle vineyard planted in 2012
Tight and closed on the nose. There’s fine balance in the mouth, ripe tannins lending this a nice feel though it is totally closed though with a certain softness to it. Late arriving dark berry fruit with nice floral accents hints at what is to come, but this is more an embryo of a wine than a fully formed wine. 87-90pts
2015 Cascina delle Rose Langhe Nebbiolo 14%
Open on the nose with aromas of camphor and small red fruits. Delicate in the mouth, like a watercolor painting, very laid back and perhaps a touch too soft, though it has nice fruit, though this too is unevolved showing some tartness in the mouth and delivering pleasant but simple nebbiolo flavors. 85pts
Barbera and Barbaresco were bottled one month ago
2015 Cascina delle Rose Barbera d'Alba 14%
16 months in botte grande
So pretty on the nose with red plum and sour cherry aromas supported by subtle green leaf, chalk, and astringent accent notes. In the mouth this has the most subtle layer of flesh, fine and gauzy with rich red fruit flavors, red cherry and something spicier almost lingonberry or boysenberry laced. Fine acid lift on the palate and a faint whisper of tannins lend this form in the mouth with a touch of blue fruit and green herbal nuance leading to a long, juicy, slightly jammy red fruited finish. Seamless, pure and vibrant, a beautifully tender Barbera though the alcohol does show through, there is a seductive length there. 92pts
2014 Cascina delle Rose Barbera Superiore Donna Elena 13.5%
Instead of the usual twenty months this spent 17 months due to the vintage
Earthy, savory and aromatic on the nose, this is filled with forest floor and leathery notes. Supple but focused in the mouth, there's lovely harmony to this in the mouth with some supple tannins adding some fleshiness to the core of otherwise lean and bright oatmeal laced red plummy fruit with little flashes of tart red cherry. A bit spicy in the mouth, with air freshening the nose, this is eminently drinkable, not the best ever but solid for the vintage I do wish it were longer because if there is a shortcoming it’s the quick finish. 87pts
2015 Cascina delle Rose Barbera Superiore Donna Elena 14.5%
Botte sample
Tight on the nose with scents of blueberries, leather, iron, and quartz. Tight on entry as well with some tannin, nothing noticeable per se but lending this an unusual firmness and supporting deep mineral notes on the palate. Seamless, though not as bright as the base Barbera, this delivers rich, supple, nuanced fruit, that has drive, purity of flavor, and intensity to the slightly jammy black cherry fruit topped with menthol accents. A textbook example of Barbera lacking the overt fruitiness and stickiness of the biggest examples, again the alcohol is noticeable but not bothersome. 91pts
2015 Cascina delle Rose Barbaresco Tre Stelle
Quite complex on the nose with aromas of carrot, soil, clay, dried herbs, dried mint, and dried flowers all coming together with savory complexity. Fine grained tannins and good acids lends this fine balance with good cut in the mouth and transparency. This has a fine burnished quality to it, bright juicy and elegant, with good length to the slightly jammy but still white cherry and tart red berry fruit. There’s an underlying slightly medicinal rooty quality to this on the nose and the palate, with hints of wild strawberry and a light peppery touch gracing the palate and finish. Very elegant and fine. 93pts
2015 Cascina delle Rose Barbaresco Rio Sordo
Sweeter with distinct rhubarb along with red fruit on the nose, strawberry rhubarb tart with more white soil notes, carnation and chalk lending complexity. A bit chunkier and easier going than the Tre Stelle in the mouth, there's an added layer of richness here though this remains finely textured and transparent in the mouth with good, juicy fruit but a bit richer and without the finesse of the Tre Stelle. Beautiful inner mouth perfumes hint at dried orange rind and rose petal on the moderately long finish. There's a real rose note here lending this freshness and this shows distinctly more power on the backend than the Tre Stelle, without the length and perhaps a hint of alcohol. A fascinating study in terroir! 92pts
2014 Cascina delle Rose Barbaresco Tre Stelle 13.5%
Mineral on the nose and slightly nutty, hazelnuts, with lingonberry pie notes coming together with lovely nuance, all topped with hints of sweet tobacco and baked pastry notes accenting bright red fruit. Bright and juicy in the mouth if a hint lean but firm and poised on the palate while delivering a fine rendition of cherry fruit, with lovely tannins on the finish. A touch short though with ample dusty tannins and assertive floral inner mouth perfumes on the juicy finish. Perhaps a little evolved and short but a fine example of the vintage. 91pts
2014 Cascina delle Rose Barbaresco Rio Sordo 13.5%
Minty and more floral driven on the nose with aromas of white cherry, handfuls of wild herbs, and leather in a powerful and soil driven bouquet.
Full and complete in the mouth, and moderately powerful for this wine. So pretty with such a fine but firm texture and real drive on the palate. There’s slightly darker fruit than the Tre Stelle, but it retains vitality and purity to the fruit, super ripe but red toned. The tannins are just a touch aggressive still, offering strong support to the real resonance of fruit on the finale. 92pts
2015 shares a certain Character with 2009, colors of nebbiolo are cooked out here and there, alcohols are high and unlike 11 they are noticeable,
Once again these wines wow with their delicacy and finesse. This is the Bartolo Mascarello of Barbaresco. Though in saying that it might seem that I am giving short shrift to their Dolcetto and Barbera, which are as good as they come. A small producer, so these wines will never be that easy to find but the quality is high and prices remain relatively low so if your see them you owe it to yourself to grab a few examples to sample.
The reason for the quality here appears clear: it is truly a family business. Not that that in itself is a particular guarantee of quality, though one finds such a passion, love of the land, and conviction in organic farming among the family that it is easy to see why the quality is so consistently high here. As far as the style goes, elegance and finesse are the goal, that comes in no small part from Giovanna’s early efforts as well a simple respect for what their vineyards deliver each year. I love these wines. They offer early appeal as well as age worthiness and offer both terroir and vintage character such a clear and distinctive voice, though , in my experience they are never big or important wines, which has no doubt been a handicap in the world of the wine critic.
2016 Cascina delle Rose Dolcetto d’Alba 13.5%
All SS, bottled today
Wow. what a vivid violet color. Classic, blueberry,bitter almond, salted plum, and light mineral accents grace the nose. No doubt that this is in a fruity style, but with a delicacy to the fruit, and no stickiness here. Instead one finds a transparent, intense, fine mineral core, leading to a tight, slightly tannic finish that has real cut and nerve to it. Not nervous, but a snap of tension, second only to Francesco Clerico’s on this trip with real salinity on the finish and some musky floral tones emerging with air. Real solid potential. 93pts
2016 Cascina delle Rose Langhe Nebbiolo 14.5%
Barrel sample, SS, also using a part of Tre Stelle vineyard planted in 2012
Tight and closed on the nose. There’s fine balance in the mouth, ripe tannins lending this a nice feel though it is totally closed though with a certain softness to it. Late arriving dark berry fruit with nice floral accents hints at what is to come, but this is more an embryo of a wine than a fully formed wine. 87-90pts
2015 Cascina delle Rose Langhe Nebbiolo 14%
Open on the nose with aromas of camphor and small red fruits. Delicate in the mouth, like a watercolor painting, very laid back and perhaps a touch too soft, though it has nice fruit, though this too is unevolved showing some tartness in the mouth and delivering pleasant but simple nebbiolo flavors. 85pts
Barbera and Barbaresco were bottled one month ago
2015 Cascina delle Rose Barbera d'Alba 14%
16 months in botte grande
So pretty on the nose with red plum and sour cherry aromas supported by subtle green leaf, chalk, and astringent accent notes. In the mouth this has the most subtle layer of flesh, fine and gauzy with rich red fruit flavors, red cherry and something spicier almost lingonberry or boysenberry laced. Fine acid lift on the palate and a faint whisper of tannins lend this form in the mouth with a touch of blue fruit and green herbal nuance leading to a long, juicy, slightly jammy red fruited finish. Seamless, pure and vibrant, a beautifully tender Barbera though the alcohol does show through, there is a seductive length there. 92pts
2014 Cascina delle Rose Barbera Superiore Donna Elena 13.5%
Instead of the usual twenty months this spent 17 months due to the vintage
Earthy, savory and aromatic on the nose, this is filled with forest floor and leathery notes. Supple but focused in the mouth, there's lovely harmony to this in the mouth with some supple tannins adding some fleshiness to the core of otherwise lean and bright oatmeal laced red plummy fruit with little flashes of tart red cherry. A bit spicy in the mouth, with air freshening the nose, this is eminently drinkable, not the best ever but solid for the vintage I do wish it were longer because if there is a shortcoming it’s the quick finish. 87pts
2015 Cascina delle Rose Barbera Superiore Donna Elena 14.5%
Botte sample
Tight on the nose with scents of blueberries, leather, iron, and quartz. Tight on entry as well with some tannin, nothing noticeable per se but lending this an unusual firmness and supporting deep mineral notes on the palate. Seamless, though not as bright as the base Barbera, this delivers rich, supple, nuanced fruit, that has drive, purity of flavor, and intensity to the slightly jammy black cherry fruit topped with menthol accents. A textbook example of Barbera lacking the overt fruitiness and stickiness of the biggest examples, again the alcohol is noticeable but not bothersome. 91pts
2015 Cascina delle Rose Barbaresco Tre Stelle
Quite complex on the nose with aromas of carrot, soil, clay, dried herbs, dried mint, and dried flowers all coming together with savory complexity. Fine grained tannins and good acids lends this fine balance with good cut in the mouth and transparency. This has a fine burnished quality to it, bright juicy and elegant, with good length to the slightly jammy but still white cherry and tart red berry fruit. There’s an underlying slightly medicinal rooty quality to this on the nose and the palate, with hints of wild strawberry and a light peppery touch gracing the palate and finish. Very elegant and fine. 93pts
2015 Cascina delle Rose Barbaresco Rio Sordo
Sweeter with distinct rhubarb along with red fruit on the nose, strawberry rhubarb tart with more white soil notes, carnation and chalk lending complexity. A bit chunkier and easier going than the Tre Stelle in the mouth, there's an added layer of richness here though this remains finely textured and transparent in the mouth with good, juicy fruit but a bit richer and without the finesse of the Tre Stelle. Beautiful inner mouth perfumes hint at dried orange rind and rose petal on the moderately long finish. There's a real rose note here lending this freshness and this shows distinctly more power on the backend than the Tre Stelle, without the length and perhaps a hint of alcohol. A fascinating study in terroir! 92pts
2014 Cascina delle Rose Barbaresco Tre Stelle 13.5%
Mineral on the nose and slightly nutty, hazelnuts, with lingonberry pie notes coming together with lovely nuance, all topped with hints of sweet tobacco and baked pastry notes accenting bright red fruit. Bright and juicy in the mouth if a hint lean but firm and poised on the palate while delivering a fine rendition of cherry fruit, with lovely tannins on the finish. A touch short though with ample dusty tannins and assertive floral inner mouth perfumes on the juicy finish. Perhaps a little evolved and short but a fine example of the vintage. 91pts
2014 Cascina delle Rose Barbaresco Rio Sordo 13.5%
Minty and more floral driven on the nose with aromas of white cherry, handfuls of wild herbs, and leather in a powerful and soil driven bouquet.
Full and complete in the mouth, and moderately powerful for this wine. So pretty with such a fine but firm texture and real drive on the palate. There’s slightly darker fruit than the Tre Stelle, but it retains vitality and purity to the fruit, super ripe but red toned. The tannins are just a touch aggressive still, offering strong support to the real resonance of fruit on the finale. 92pts