Jay Kline

9.3

Mention “Monvigliero” around any Barolo nut and there is a better than good chance you might witness the following behavior: waxing poetic in hushed tones, sighing, swooning…possibly fainting. Monvigliero truly is the zeitgeist. For over 40 years, Comm. G.B. Burlotto (and Fratelli Alessandria before them), have quietly been making great single-vineyard Monvigliero and it was only in the last 10-15 years that the world started to catch on to the magic that was happening in Verduno. In the last handful of years alone, there have been a flurry of producers with holdings in Monvigliero that have released their own single-vineyard expression. However, what many may not realize is that Enrico Scavino and his daughters have been producing a “Monvigliero” since 2007, making them one of the first half dozen to do so. I’m only suggesting that the Scavino’s knew there was something special there well before the hype train came to the station.

Popped and poured; enjoyed with dinner and over the course of a couple hours. The 2020 “Monvigliero” pours a deep garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. The nose is gorgeous; seemingly darker fruited with blackberry, pomegranate, black cherry lozenges, roses and spice box. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin (though friendly) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and lithe. An elegant wine and downright delicious. I think Paolo Scavino did a fabulous job of capturing the synergy of what Mother Nature gave in the 2020 vintage and the source of their fruit in the heart of the Monvigliero MGA. These are very early days for this wine but it’s already a joy to drink now but I expect this will continue a lovely evolution through 2038, easy. — 3 months ago

Adriana Fabbro

9.0

For a good time, bring this wine to your next blind tasting.
For us industry folk who took a certain exam earlier this year, this wine revealed 1) what a silly value South Africa is right now 2) how ignorant we Americans are generally about what’s happening there today (so scarred by pinotage are we).

In a blind tasting, some of us called this 100% Cab a warm vintage medoc (a touch of bret), some (🙋🏻‍♀️) called it Napa (eucalyptus!), others (also catching that mint/eucalyptus note) called it Coonawarra…. But all of us rated it highly. We noted the well-integrated oak, the intensity and complexity of flavors and aroma, balance of ripe fruit with fresh acidity, ripe firm tannins and a hint of green pepper,..

Lol. Turns out we had been waxing poetic about a $16 Cab from South Africa 🤯

To make us feel better, the founder of Glenelly estate estate in Stellenbosch is Bordeaux aristocracy (the nearly 100 year old Lady May was raised at Chateau Palmer and later served as GM of CdLalande). Even though this is the estate’s entry level wine, few corners were cut in making it (hand picked fruit, early picking to retain freshness, natural yeast fermentations, actual 12+ month aging in French oak) rarely seen at wines of this price point. Undeniably new world in flavor profile (rich, ripe, fruit forward, smooth—yes, there’s even a touch of RS in there but it’s deployed well), but raised by a French governess. Not everyone’s cup of tea for sure, but a really well made wine IMHO. — 3 years ago

Diane Heyboer

8.9

Enjoyed this one with a classic French meal of steak and béarnaise with roasted carrots and dauphinois potatoes. Hints of oak and cherry and red currants. Lots of merlot keeps it soft and supple. One guys comment was “tart cherries peel through the windows in the rain-slicked cobblestone alley.” Quite poetic and really accurate. There is a wet stone quality to this wine that appeals to me. Enjoyed and would drink again. — 3 months ago

with Matthew, Ethan and 2 others

Ron from VA

9.2

A baby CdP, this 11+ year old was a bit tight upon opening, but unfurled like a beautiful rose with tangy spiced violet raspberries and that PEZ-like VERVE that went perfect with our homemade lamb meatballs with fresh naan. The medium weighted body with long floral finish with very poetic too :) — 3 years ago

Aravind A

9.9

@Lyle Fass HFS. This is a ridiculously good bottle of wine..beyond good..my wife called this poetic. This is a crazy Cote-Rotie, and doesn't fit my idea of what Cote-Rotie should be. Frankly, the comparison I would draw is Cayuse Cailloux or some other Rocks district Syrah...except done correctly: fantastic acidity, not reductive/bretty bordering on flawed, and 12.5% abv. Wow.

We savored this as long as we could, but from pop and pour, this btl lasted all of 2 hrs... — 4 years ago

Fredric Bergström

9.7

The myths are real. A bottle, a label, a glass of burgundian juice. A wine with a bouquet so big, bold, complex yet so small and subtile. Elegance extravaganza. Suggestive and poetic and so beautiful at the moment. Maybe a little more matured than expected, Dont wait for it, drink it IF you ever get the chance. Turn the lights out knock yer self down — 5 years ago

Cristina M

9.5

I bought this 2009 vintage in 2013 and opened it almost 10 years later. It is very smooth, with complex flavors that I can’t describe (forgive me, poetic writing is not my strength). The color has mellowed to an amber-red. Lovely. — 2 years ago

ESF

9.0

@matt perlman said it well, much more poetic than I could - tho this was too oxidized and in the decline, still magical tho — 2 years ago

romo

9.7

A not-so-wee dram for my birthday reminds me how Mortlach separates from the herd. Transcendent light-bodied balance yet a finish that goes on in breath long after swallow. A poetic emotional drink. — 3 years ago

Ron from VA

9.2

Big fav of the 2nd phase wash state Syrah (100%)... linear yet deceptively poetic… Delicate spice in floral accents are like the Gilded Age of pure BlackBerry liquor. Opened up and became even more expressive the second day.  — 5 years ago