Luis Hartmann

9.8

The aroma. If something tastes superb, it is how this wine impacts your senses. Smelling in the glass just before swallowing takes you to wine lovers heaven. Enjoyed with my wife, my son, sister in law and René, Who surprised all of us with this present. — 4 days ago

Tom Garland

9.4

Decant and pour (lots of chunky/fine sediment). A striking purplish magenta color. On the nose: Alluring perfumed nose of dark cherry, worn leather, black olives, smoked meat, herbaceous, touch of brett(bandaids). Taste: velvety, creamy, savory, structured wine with dark plum/blackberry preserve, minerals, earth, chocolate espresso, leather, and a long lingering spicy tobacco leaf finish. YUM! — a month ago

with Brenda

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 2014 Classico pours a slightly hazy garnet with a translucent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing. Initially showing notes of stewed red fruits, however with about 30 minutes of air, the fruits freshened up. Morello Cherry, macerated strawberry, dried roses, tar, leather, gravelly earth, and a pleasant mix of cool spices. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium plus; grippy and savory. An often maligned vintage in Piemonte, particularly in Barolo (though some outstanding examples exist). However, in Barbaresco, there was more success and this is an example. Drink now through 2034. — 2 months ago

Celeste Player

9.0

Solid Italian red…with hints of Napa. More than the deliciousness of the wine is the deep love I have for my life partner. Although we are wrapping up our 25th anniversary trip to France and Spain, we are embarking on the next 25+ still in deep love with one another. Can’t wait to see where our journey takes us next. Thank you God for delivering me my perfect mate. — 5 days ago

J Ferrugia

9.2

Well structured classic Sangiovese exhibiting dark, ripening fruit with plenty of soft spice and underlying soft tannin. This is a luscious wine from Laura Bianchi. Drink it now or wait a couple of years for more ripe dark fruit. — a month ago

Kai Mildenberger

9.8

This was a very, very special evening and the wine went even beyond our wildly high expectations. From the moment the cork came out, it was just absolutely perfect! The bottle has seen some travel but has been expertly stores for over 30 years and then brought back for this special night not far from Barbaresco itself to accompany a mind blowing meal with fantastic friends. — a month ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Double-decanted several hours prior to dinner and subsequently enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2012 Classico pours a deep garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with ripe notes of red fruit: cherry cordial, candied nuts, red flowers, some leather, rich wood and some warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with high tannins and high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. A very good, albeit modern expression of Barolo from a solar vintage. Personally, I find pre-modernist Pio Cesare more exciting. Thanks Andy! Drink now with patience and through 2042. — 2 months ago

Tom Garland

9.2

Double decant for sediment(lots of chunky/fine sediment)and pour. A splendid medium dark purplish magenta color. On the nose: Intoxicating perfumed notes of stewed cherry, fig, herbaceous, roasted meat, funky earth, toasted marshmallow. Taste: opulent mature savory wine with ripe plum, licorice, saline, and a graphite dried herb long finish. YUM! Not bad for a harsh hot/dry vintage. — a month ago

with Brenda

Bob McDonald

9.6

I bought this bottle in Florence around 2019. I later found out the shop was owned by Antinori - the producer of the wine. An excellent Super Tuscan from Bolgheri. 57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot. Dark Ruby with a tawny rim starting to develop. Classic Bordeaux descriptors of Cassis, herbs, tobacco and hints of cocoa with oak totally integrated. A rich and mouth filling palate such that it could have been from a new world vineyard in a good vintage. This is comparable in quality to a good Super Second. Interestingly the 2007 had the major change of Syrah being eliminated from the blend in favour of Cabernet Franc. An outstanding Bordeaux blend which exceeded expectations. I should keep an eye out for more bottles. — a month ago

Joe DAscoli

9.4

Decanted for about 2 hours. Broken cork that seemed dried out and I couldn’t get out of the bottle. Filtered the wine into the decanter.

Wine had the classic Valdicava aromas that are unique and alluring. Almost like a Sangiovese / Cabernet blend and mix of dark fruit, cocoa. I can’t describe as much as I can always recognize it.

Wine was very good. Not the best expression of this wine but solid.

— 2 months ago