Heather

• October 2009

  The Brilliance of Burlotto I recently had the chance to spend dinner with 4 ... of this wine are full of heather, licorice, smoke, olive brine and menthol notes but the fruit is still a bit reticent. In the mouth one finds superbly fine-grained tannins that are powerful but... Read moreThe Brilliance of Burlotto I recently had the chance to spend dinner with 4 ... of this wine are full of heather, licorice, smoke, olive brine and menthol notes but the fruit is still a bit reticent. In the mouth one finds superbly fine-grained tannins that are powerful but balanced by notes of white clay, leather and incipient dark raspberry fruits. This offers beautiful precision but remains a bit tight and coy on the palate. I like where this is going though and the aromatics hint that we are almost there.. 92pts 1996 Burlotto Barolo Cannubi Simply wonderful aromatics that ranged from lilacs, to seared cherry, hot rocks, to roses, orange peel, earth and spice all around a core of sweet red fruit. In the mouth there is superb balance with succulent mineral notes and clear, if fairly rich and quite tannic, faceted fruit. The fruit grows in the glass revealing exceptional intensity and purity with significant upside potential. 93pts   1995 Burlotto Barolo Monvigliero Intense notes of incense and candlewax immediately emerge from the glass joined by dark, smoky, slightly jammy fruits with complicating notes of fish sauce, underbrush, tapenade, thyme and olive oil. In the mouth he tannins are delicate and light if abundant giving the wine a velvety texture. The rosehip and wild cherry fruit is framed by vitamin like mineral notes and a wonderful inner mouth perfume of roses and tapenade. Still youthful this is emerging from its shell and has a very promising future. 93pts.   Below are notes on wines I tasted with winemaker Fabio Alessandria  this past May. Many are just now arriving in the marketplace. 2008 Burlotto Pelaverga Aromatics are intense and deep with penetrating, minerally focus that carries over to the palate. Cranberry fruit on the palate is paired with the intense minerality giving this a downright steely quality but it does lack some of the intensity of the 2007. 86pts 2007 Burlotto Barbera d’Alba Huge, soaring aromatics are captured here with note of cold earth, pollen, wild animale notes and slightly spicy notes of black-fruited hard candy. In the mouth this is perfectly proportioned with deep, lively fruit a hint of round tannin and snappy acids. The finish is dominated by the acids but with excellent length and reverb. Super Barbera. 90pts 2007 Burlotto Freisa Lightly smoky on the nose with an exotic boysenberry coulis note that is countered by dark aromatic spice roots and a hint of leafy geranium. The mouthfeel is both transparent and mouthcoating with a hint of bitterness on the mid-palate. The tannins are pretty big but ripe enough that they already begin to melt away on the finish, which is tarry and spiced with floral tones that compliment the dark plummy red fruits. This is better on the nose at this point. 86pts 2007 Burlotto Nebbiolo Fresh and herbal on the nose with a sandy underlay and suggestions of briary wood and wildflowers adding detail. Huge acidity in the mouth is followed by a wave of fruit and perfectly ripe tannins. The midpalate is laced with minerality that adds cut and definition to the wild cherry and watermelon fruit that gains some pomegranate depth on the back end. This finishes strongly with excellent length and an almost salty, mineral finale. 90pts 2005 Burlotto Barolo Aclivi Balsamic on the nose with complex aromas of church candle, bay leaf, chalk and wild berry fruits. Nervous with fine-grained tannins in the mouth that frame slightly spice sweet red fruit notes. The feel is wonderfully fresh in the mouth and strikingly transparent though one could wish for a bit more richness to the fruit.  89pts 2005 Burlotto Barolo Monvigliero Leathery and slightly bretty on the nose with a deep gamy element that contrasts against the sweet dark fruits of the nose Notes of olive brine, mortadella and carnations emerge from the glass with air. Soft and suave in the mouth with a rich core of spiced fruit supported by great acids that keep this taut and tense. Great camphor tinged cherry fruit in the mouth conceals a bed of ripe tannins. A very well balanced 2005. 93pts 2005 Burlotto Barolo Cannubi Deep and dark on the nose with fruit, heather, dried grass and hints of grilled meats, cinnamon and green anise seed adding great detail. In the mouth this is very classic Barolo with clear acids and assertive if polished tannins supporting the slightly leathery, bright amarena cherry tinged fruit. Fine balance and great length but this is really a bit tight at this point 91pts 2006 Burlotto Barolo Aclivi A lovely nose of floral tones with savory hints of oregano, olive oil and sundried tomato. In the mouth his is sapid and round with soft tannins and sweet fruit on the palate with hints of fresh green herbs adding detail. The wine is still very tight but well balanced with strawberry fruits and fine, well proportioned structure.  88-90pts 2006 Burlotto Barolo Cannubi Wonderfully aromatic already with precise raspberry fruit framed by hints of campfire, saffron, baked clay and a slight underbrush tone. In the mouth thios is crystal clear with a lean yet very precise feel to the candied red raspberry flavors. The structure is very finely balanced and the tannins are perfectly ripe leading to a fine, long taut finish. An excellent wine in the making 91-94pts      (hide)

  From the article A dinner with the wines of Burlotto

  
  
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  August 2009

  Cantina Zaccagnini Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva Italy Abruzzi Dry 2005

  Snoothrank: Starting at $11^.20

  Starts with a nice cherry nose with hints of leather and bramble. Well ... wine with bramble and heather flavors. Finishes on dry tannins. Worked very well with steak and chimichurri sauce

  Wine review by Philip

  
  
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  August 2009

  Radikon Ribolla Gialla Collio 2001

  Snoothrank:

  A terpene note greets the nose followed by leather, heather, and spicy pomegranate seeds that cut through the notes of poached peach. Tannic, rich and matte in the mouth with spicy notes helping to frame the apricot notes. Not complex but long and tactile. 89pts

  Wine review by Gregory Dal Piaz

  
  
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  July 2009

  Guido Porro Barolo "Vigna Santa Caterina" 2004

  Snoothrank:

  This was wonderfully fresh on the nose with heather floral tones and whisps of wild strawberry emerging with some air yet with time the floral elements took control of the aromatics and added a base of cigarette smoke, oily coffee beans and spearmint that was compelling. Polished... Read moreThis was wonderfully fresh on the nose with heather floral tones and whisps of wild strawberry emerging with some air yet with time the floral elements took control of the aromatics and added a base of cigarette smoke, oily coffee beans and spearmint that was compelling. Polished and broad in the mouth with wonderfully fresh strawberry fruit and elegant notes of anise and herbs, this remains lithe and refreshing in the mouth. Air adds to the power here, introducing a touch of pruniness and the fruit turns darker but retains a seamlessness and purity that is very attractive. A wonderful bottle of Barolo 93pts.    (hide)

  Wine review by Gregory Dal Piaz

  
  

• July 2009

  As many of you know I am very enthusiastic about the latest Barolo releases. ... fresh on the nose with heather floral tones and whisps of wild strawberry emerging with some air yet with time the floral elements took control of the aromatics and added a base of cigarette smoke,... Read more As many of you know I am very enthusiastic about the latest Barolo releases. ... fresh on the nose with heather floral tones and whisps of wild strawberry emerging with some air yet with time the floral elements took control of the aromatics and added a base of cigarette smoke, oily coffee beans and spearmint that was compelling.  Polished and broad in the mouth with wonderfully fresh strawberry fruit and elegant notes of anise and herbs, this remains lithe and refreshing in the mouth. Air adds to the power here, introducing a touch of pruniness and the fruit turns darker but retains a seamlessness and purity that is very attractive. A wonderful bottle of Barolo 93pts. John thought this resembled a “Barolo Chinato” And with that a pretty awesome tasting was ended. I am glad to say I have already laid down all of these wines in my cellar except for the Rizzi and Franco Conterno, which were picked up at their respective wineries. I would love to have additional bottles of both stored away and plan to work on remedying that situation soon! These are lovely wines, approachable by Barolo standards, and real values in today's marketplace. So get out there and see what's lying about on your retailers shelves. With the retail market they way it is I wouldn't be surprised if you could find these wines for a song, and perhaps a dance! Gregory Dal Piaz Community Manager Snooth    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Barolo 2004, do bargains... by Gregory Dal Piaz

  
  

• November 2008

  (... by way of Heather Doyle, transcribing Apothecary's--http://www.apothecarylounge.com/ - and Counter's--see previous post inre NYC bars - Nick Jarret's quotation several Sundays ago.) !http://eclipsed.net/~gr/Pictures/2008-11-13/IMG_0214.JPG! Here's a digital transcription, since... Read more(... by way of Heather Doyle, transcribing Apothecary's--http://www.apothecarylounge.com/ - and Counter's--see previous post inre NYC bars - Nick Jarret's quotation several Sundays ago.) !http://eclipsed.net/~gr/Pictures/2008-11-13/IMG_0214.JPG! Here's a digital transcription, since my shaky iPhone hand makes it difficult to read: Shaking a clear drink is like shaking a baby -- first, there's a lot of foaming, and then you're staring death in the face.    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic A public service... by gr

  
  
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  November 2008

  Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Santo Stefano di Neive 1986

  Snoothrank:

  This offers up a lovely and mature bouquet of spicy Nebbiolo fruit with a top ... all over a slightly smoky, heather tinged core of spiced red plum and berry fruits In the mouth the bottle sweetness here is wonderful with the core of strawberry fruit tinged with black mineral... Read moreThis offers up a lovely and mature bouquet of spicy Nebbiolo fruit with a top ... all over a slightly smoky, heather tinged core of spiced red plum and berry fruits In the mouth the bottle sweetness here is wonderful with the core of strawberry fruit tinged with black mineral flecked earth and spice. Focused and taut, an athlete in peak condition this is perhaps a touch small scaled but so well balanced and with excellent vitality in the mouth. A touch simple perhaps but only in light of the wines it shared the night with. 92pt    (hide)

  Wine review by Gregory Dal Piaz

  
  

• October 2008

  Marcarini is both a historic winery of La Morra as well as gauge by which to ... fruit as well as hints of heather and clover, a touch of honey and gentle suggestions of apple blossoms 2+ A very fine mousse for Moscato with good refreshing acidity 2+ Notes of honeydew melon and... Read moreMarcarini is both a historic winery of La Morra as well as gauge by which to ... fruit as well as hints of heather and clover, a touch of honey and gentle suggestions of apple blossoms 2+ A very fine mousse for Moscato with good refreshing acidity 2+ Notes of honeydew melon and lemon/lime with hints of powdered sugar 2+ Finishes moderately sweet with notes of honey and apple 2 http://www.snooth.com/wine/marcarini-moscato-dasti-2007-2/    (hide)

  Forum post in the topic Marcarini - A Perennial... by Gregory Dal Piaz

  
  
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  September 2008

  Marcarini Moscato d'Asti 2007

  Snoothrank:

  Fermented several times a year from frozen must to preserve freshness A lovely ... fruit as well as hints of heather and clover, a touch of honey and gentle suggestions of apple blossoms 2+ A very fine mousse for Moscato with good refreshing acidity 2+ Notes of honeydew melon and... Read moreFermented several times a year from frozen must to preserve freshness A lovely ... fruit as well as hints of heather and clover, a touch of honey and gentle suggestions of apple blossoms 2+ A very fine mousse for Moscato with good refreshing acidity 2+ Notes of honeydew melon and lemon/lime with hints of powdered sugar 2+ Finishes moderately sweet with notes of honey and apple 2 88pt    (hide)

  Wine review by Gregory Dal Piaz

  
  
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  July 2008

  Gangloff Condrieu 2005

  Snoothrank:

  Magnificent wine. It has a deep, alluring, seductive golden colour, and a ... macadamia nut, vanilla, heather and honey. It has a length so persistent it seems implausible. This is a decadent wine well worth tracking down for the sheer pleasure of it. Had this in one of my favourite... Read moreMagnificent wine. It has a deep, alluring, seductive golden colour, and a ... macadamia nut, vanilla, heather and honey. It has a length so persistent it seems implausible. This is a decadent wine well worth tracking down for the sheer pleasure of it. Had this in one of my favourite restaurants in Madrid, Spain. Oh, and its alcoholic strength is a ridiculous 15 percent. Mind-blowing, literally. 95 points    (hide)

  Wine review by ricard

  
  

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