2013 Miani, Friuliani, Buri (RT96) This was followed over the course of four days and never wavered an iota or lost any of its verve! Stored in the cellar each evening with the cork stuck back in the bottle. Pungent and powerful on the nose, it shows an impressively pure fruit and mineral combination as notes of ripe melon, acacia and chalk dust lead to a full bodied wine with incredible stature and a seemingly endless finish. One of the best still whites I’ve had in sometime, this will drink well for the coming decade, perhaps longer. An outstanding Friuliana! My oh my, what a beauty! Highly recommended Drink now-2028+
1996 Massolino, Barolo Riserva, Rionda (RT97) Bought on release, this was a very difficult wine to source at the time, nearly impossible to find in the stateside market. I stumbled onto a supply and bought everything they had, all 18 bottles worth. This has been a very tight, shy wine until the last couple years, when it has slowly emerged from its long, deep sleep. Undoubtedly the finest bottle I’ve yet opened, the 1996 Rionda Riserva is one of the outstanding wines of the vintage, showing well from the first pour. Followed over the course of three days, the fruit is pure power, showing a deeply ripe, perfectly delineated profile built on sweet, red cherry, balsam and a classic ferrous Serralunga note. The palate moves toward seamlessness with extraordinary balance and a finish that goes on forever. A stunning bottle that is still on the upward climb! Highly recommended. Drink now–2036+
1997 Seghesio, Barolo, La Villa (RT91) Bought on release, this was my last bottle of 1997 La Villa. Popped and poured, then followed over the course a couple days, this is a well-crafted, modernly styled Barolo packed with ripe black and red cherry fruit and layered with violets, anise and hints of goudron. Full bodied in its mouthfeel and well balanced with excellent acidity and clean, smooth tannins. This has aged nicely, and well stored bottles will continue to drink well for another 5-10 years, perhaps more, but I don’t see this improving from here! Recommended. Drink now–2022+
2010 Monchiero, Barolo, Rocche de Castiglione Falletto (RT93) Popped and poured and followed over the course of two days. Young and boisterous from the git-go, Monchiero’s Rocche is a gorgeous wine, built on perfectly ripe fruit and showing all the glory of the impressive 2010 vintage. Relatively dark and brooding in its hue, the bouquet shows delicious, fleshy notes of red cherry punctuated with light floral notes! The mouthfeel is full, coating and beautifully balanced, and the tannins and acidity intertwine with the fruit, creating a gorgeous Barolo. Classic, traditionally vinified Barolo! Highly recommended as it remains a relatively affordable wine buttressed with fine winemaking. Drink 2022-2037
2013 Fontodi, Colli Toscano Centrale IGT, Dino (RT93) This is one of the new bottlings from Fontodi made with 100% Sangiovese, aged for 12 months in amphora and bottled with no sulfites added and no other production techniques to influence the wine. Part of the trend returning to clay amphora aging. On first pour it showed a decidedly disjointed character, none of the parts seeming to connect. But with time in the glass it began to come together, showing a core of sweet, red cherry fruit, accented with deeply ripe plums, hints of leather and slightest hint of spice. The textural aspect is quite intriguing showing a rich fullness, curiously mouth coating feel, with the tannins barely perceptible. A nice hit of acidity keeps it fresh. This is a curiously intriguing bottle, but time will tell over multiple vintages and cellaring what direction this is truly headed in. Until then, I’ll give it a cautious review. Suggested for the true wine geek who wants to try something unique. Drink now-2023+(?)