"Check Out Oddero" - Hitting Another Level, Again: 2015 Oddero Barolo Villero
Buying Oddero's 2015 Villero didn't require more than a moment's thought.
It's among our favorite wines from the vintage, and when you factor in price and quality, there's no competition.
An Undeniable Master 2015 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Cerretta & Barolo Francia
The Barolos of Roberto Conterno are simply profound.
The explanation for their greatness is easy. Roberto’s exacting standards focus on perfecting every little detail. The sum is an almost logic-defying profundity.
Conterno's Monfortino is otherworldly.
It's one of the most profound wine experiences around, and it's a distance runner. The wine simply stops you dead in your tracks.
Balance to the Extreme: 2015 Brovia Barolo Rocche di Castiglione
Rocche is a key site for Brovia.
Not only does Brovia have a very choice parcel within this vineyard, but it’s also their oldest holding and home to their oldest vines.
There are few better things to end a meal with—or simply meditate over— than Cappellano’s Chinato.
For us, it’s an indispensable part of our cold-weather drinking arsenal.
“This is such a gorgeous Barolo” - 2015 Oddero Barolo
This is one of the easiest purchases we’ve ever made.
In recent vintages, Oddero's wines have really entered the zone. Their basic Barolo is easily one of the greatest values the region has to offer.
Last week, we offered Canonica's Langhe Nebbiolo and it sold out in less than two hours. Today, I'm happy to offer Canonica's rarely seen Barolo Paiagallo.
Canonica's wines have become some of the hardest to find in all of Piedmont. Canonica’s Barolo Paiagallo comes from a mere 1.8ha vineyard.
A Winter Essential: Cappellano Barolo Chinato 750ml
There are few better things to end a meal with—or simply meditate over— than Cappellano’s Chinato.
For us, it’s an indispensable part of our cold weather drinking arsenal.
"I don't think I have tasted a more refined Monfortino than the 2008." -2008 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Monfortino Riserva
One taste of Conterno's Monfortino makes a couple of things blatantly clear - it's one of the most profound wine experiences around, and it's a distance runner.
The wine simply stops you dead in your tracks.
Back-Up The Truck: Barolo Edition - 2013 Oddero Barolo
The 2013 vintage represents a high-water mark for Oddero.
In recent vintages, we've been watching this traditionalist going from strength to strength. The wines have steadily grown more complicated and more detailed.
"The 2014 is a superb wine" - 2014 Brovia Barolo Unio
The past handful of vintages have offered ample evidence that Brovia is at the top of their game.
Their 2014 Brovia Barolo Ūnĭo may offer the most persuasive argument for inclusion among Piedmont's elite.
From Out of the Shadows: 2013 Fracassi Barolo "Mantoetto"
The village of Cherasco lies just outside of La Morra and not far from Verduno.
Unlike La Morra and Verduno, Cherasco exists in almost absolute obscurity.
The Greatest Barolo You Haven't Heard Of 2013 Poderi Colla Barolo Bussia Dardi Le Rose
"The 2013 reminds me of some of the most profound Barolos and Barbarescos I have tasted." -Antonio Galloni, Vinous Media
The Barolo traditionalist estate of Poderi Colla has kept a low profile. The 2013 Bussia Dardi Le Rose changes all of this. As Galloni's note above makes clear, this is simply a standout by any estimation.
"Readers should do everything possible to add some of these wines to their cellars." - 2013 Brovia Barolo Brea - Ca' Mia & Villero
Brovia is at the top of their game. You don't have to look any further for evidence than their 2013 Barolo. Their 2013s firmly places them among Piedmont's elite.
Despite being among the region's top traditionalists, Brovia's wines cost significantly less than their peers. It's difficult to know how long this pricing discrepancy will hold, but it's easy to assume that its days are numbered. For now, Brovia's single vineyard Barolos are some of the smartest buys around.
As the temperatures continue to dip and we look forward to the onslaught of long meals that await, it's impossible not to think of Cappellano's Chinato.
There are few better things to end a meal with or simply meditate over. To situate Cappellano's Barolo Chinato, it's probably easiest to think about it as a combination of a fortified wine and the king of vermouths.
"Stunningly Beautiful" 2012 Brovia Barolo Brea Vigna Ca’ Mia
There are very few of Barolo's top producers whose best bottles go for under $100. Brovia leads this list. And the list doesn't top four or five producers.