David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

This started out lean and picked up weight & depth after it sat in the decanter after about 20-30 minutes. As we moved through dinner it started to push into 93.

The tannins were darker, firmer than the 2009 Pio Cesare. Blackberries, slightly sour but dark cherries, not yet ripe bold orange, tar, beautiful, lighter dark spice, sandalwood, dry tobacco, crashed rocks, nice tarriness, pink & red roses, nice acidity with a good, polished, elegant, well structured & balanced finish that lasts 90 seconds and falls evenly on fruit and earth.

— 8 hours ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.5

2020 vintage. Tasted with the winemaker. As befitting the vintage in the region, this is waay more approachable than you would suspect. Ripe and daresay, opulent. That is not a word I've ever pulled out of the quiver regarding Barolo but certainly appropriate in this case. Heavy body. Texture is unfined and unfiltered but didn't confirm/inquire when tasting. Big, fruity nose. Had this been in a blind tasting, woulda gone down swinging positing this as a Brunello. Absolutely delicious but definitely atypical. So extreme that it's hard to predict how this will age. 7-10 years could find this dropping all the ornamental fruit/body and getting down to expected Barolo biz or could slowly thin out and hold onto those California fruit bomb vestiges. $120 a bottle resto cost. 02.07.25. — 24 days ago

Stefan Jakobsson

9.1

Oxfilé, bea o rotfrukter. Perfect. Drack feb 2025 — 11 days ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

This was nice with Bolognese.

Excellent integration & evolution. Fine tannins, some dark blackberries, dark sour cherries, blood orange w/ rind, soft spices, sandstone mineral dust, dark withering flowers, good acidity and a smooth, elegant finish that lasts a full minute.

This was in a good spot and will hold another 5-7 years, but believe its ascenion is complete. — 10 hours ago

Victor Charcan

9.2

Expressive nose with orange peel, coffee, fennel, lemmon, complex. Medium bodied with the bitterness and tannin harshness of Barolo. A baby. Clean, long, with a sense of place. Tannins are tough right now — 18 days ago

GaryWEdwards

9.5

Despite coming from an extremely hot growing season, this fragrant pleases from the start with a floral hint. Little hint of cherry and long silky finish. Beautiful juice that, like many Piedmonte wine, is quite Burgundian in character. — 25 days ago

Vino Joe

9.5

Jumped back on the horse with an 08 when the 99 proved fake. This one was the real deal. Wasn’t the best Monfortino though. Decanted and let it open for several hours while the Super Bowl unfolded. Go Eagles!!! Layered and foreboding. It didn’t have the best balance with the fruit but it was nonetheless a weighty joy. — 17 days ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.1

Vintage 2012 | Beautiful balance, stinky and fine smell. I should have bought this when I got the opportunity 🤔 — 12 days ago

Conrad Green

9.6

Plush fruit. Lovely and detailed. Settled and transparent. Clear flavors. Great purity. — 20 days ago

Raun Kupiec

9.3

Very rich and smooth. Tannins completely integrated. Various red fruits, not all cherry. Red plum, pomegranate. And violets. And oak, but in the background. — 23 days ago