Still super young. 7 hour decant started to open. Great acidity and concentration of flavor with very early tertiary notes emerging. Color gives away age but that is. Hold until at least 2031 before trying again. Estimated optimum window 2036-2050 — 2 months ago
Earthy (of course). Cherries, raspberries, strawberry, leather, and tobacco. Outstanding, and just coming into its own. — 4 months ago
The fruit for the Oderro Poderi e Cantine “classico” comes from a combination of the Bricco Chiesa in La Morra and the Bricco Fiasco in Castiglione Falletto MGAs. The former being considered Oddero’s “home vineyard”.
Poured into a decanter about 30min before service. In the glass, the wine displays a beautiful ruby color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with very pretty notes of Montmorency cherry, cranberry, pomegranate, a bed of roses, orange peel, fresh sage, eucalyptus and crushed rock. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long, drying and grippy. This is all about balance and freshness. These are quite giving already but undoubtedly have a long life ahead. Drink now with patience or through 2044. — a month ago
Brought to V. Mertz from my cellar. Cascina Fontana is an ultra-traditional producer located in the commune of Castiglione Falletto; just across the border from Monforte d’Alba. The bulk of their holdings are western-facing parcels within the Mariondino MGA that were formerly part of the “Valletti Zone”. However, as an ultra-traditionalist, they only produce two Barolos and both are blends of fruit from different MGAs. One is labeled simply "Barolo" (which is a blend of fruit sourced from their holdings in both Castiglione Falletto and La Morra) and this wine, labeled under the “del Commune di Castiglione Falletto” designation. It is a blend fruit from Mariondino and the neighboring Villero MGA. Their holdings in Villero don’t suck either. Their parcels reside next to those of Vietti and Giacomo Fenocchio.
The 2016 Cascina Fontana pours a bright garnet with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity and no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with gorgeous aromas of Morello cherry, bruised strawberry, pink and white roses with freshly cut stems, crushed rock and some tar. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and savory. The texture? Simply divine. A debonair Barolo from Castiglione Falletto that paired well with Morgan Ranch wagyu tartar. Because it’s 2016 (and with a little Villero), you can drink now with patience and through…well…probably 2066. No cap. — 3 months ago
Byron Hewett
Fully mature. Time to drink these. The fruit here is a bit more subdued than the previous bottles. Tannins are mostly resolved. — 23 days ago