Cavallotto Barolo Riserva Vigna San Giuseppe Bricco Boschis 2007

Lots of leather and camphor on the nose along with jammy dark fruit, this is a bit hot and a bit indistinct on the nose. Smells like essence of spicy leather and pollen. Light on entry, this turns a bit jammy and almost soft, though there are good supporting acids. The tannins are a touch rough here adding a rugged feel to the palate, which is powerful with late arriving cherry fruit followed by a short, tannic finish that shows licorice and earth inflected cherry in alcohol fruit with a touch of meatiness. This is packed with tannin.90pts

Average age of the vines 45-50 years 30 day maceration Deep high toned nose with tobacco, wet cigar, cigar ash, laurel to menthol top note, closes up in glass 2+ Dense and layered in the mouth with bright juicy acids and very fine tannins with just the slightest drying edge 2+ Dark and earthy at first but the superb core of fruit manages to break through for moments of brilliance with excellent complexity slightly on the medicinal end of the spectrum, menthol, licorice, angelica root and quinine all frame to dark fruit, still very reticent 3 Tough on the finish and drying a bit this is built for the long haul and the imposing structure is really architecturally beautiful and supports a savory finish of imposing length 3+ 2016-2036 92pts

What a nose on this. Layered with dried floral tones, orange rind, minerals, black spices, a touch of tar and nuanced green anise seed and herb round out a remarkably still open nose. Powerful int he mouth with a luxurious richness. Perfectly balanced plush fruit draped over ripe tannins with perfectly integrated mouth watering acidity. This tightens up considerably on the backend but is poised for greatness. 94pts

The reticent nose reveals some deep, dark notes of earth, dried flowers and fruit with an almost tropical top note of pomegranate. Very focused in the mouth with a cylindrical feel to the meaty, ripe fruit. Very precise with excellent cut and balance and a powerful, if closed feel. Will definitely improve and have a very long life 92pts

From magnum. Wow this explodes from the glass with tons of fruit, a compte of pear, strawberry and cherry greatly enhanced with notes of nettle, smoke, and limestone rich earth. Big and rich entry with a touch of pruniness up front that leads to a round, ripe midpalate full of dark plum tinged fruit. Remains rich and layered with spice and smoke notes lifted apon bright acidity and ripe tannins. The finish shows that the wine could use some time to smooth out some of the roughness as the plush and chewy midpalate does turn a touch drying and lean on the finish. Pretty classicly styled and due to improve. Drink 2012-2025

While this lacks a bit of freshness it is very complex with layered notes of earth, salame, and a slight roasting chestnut tone. In the mouth it is refreshing with it’s crisp tannins and solid acidity but lacks some flesh. The flavors are fairly savory and while the tannins are big the wine doesn’t show the balance need leading to a round, soft finish that lacks complexity. 89pts

Opening with a touch of espresso crema and spicy Speck notes this gains lovely intensity with an orange rind edge to the meaty, smoky notes and gains a bit of earthy pipe tobacco and oyster shell with time. A touch drying with austere tannins still in evidence this none-the-less fills the mouth with it’s evolved, dried fruit notes that gains sweetness while the wine opens in the glass. Really elegant and refined on the finish which shows a touch of heat but is long and offers a deep note of tarry, cocoa tinged earth that lingers. 94pts