Fredrik Finn

9.3

Shy and closed aromas at first, but shortly opens up with some aeration with an enchanting, vivid and highly complex approach. Dried strawberries, red cherries, mint, blood orange, bitter orange and a controlled volatile - incense like lift. With a steely minerality and an earthy canvas
A high acidity and pronounced tannins which grasps the gum upon entry before spreading across the cheeks with drying texture that surrounds and is balanced by good fruit concentration with a strong and evolving mid palate through a complete finish that is closing with a sweet red fruit profile despite being a bit tart and rowdy upon entry. Day 2 and it’s taken on a more rounded and welcoming profile. — 4 years ago

Andrew Schirmer

9.3

Delicious...we gave it five hours in the decanter. Attractive darkness mid-palate. Herbaceous, dried thyme, cherries, attenuated finish. Clear, singing Nebbiolo with a long life ahead of it. — 4 years ago

with Alsu

Matti Jokelainen

9.1

Had 2 of these right after release and now first one after about a year in between. This is still young, primary and tight just as you expect but the density of fruit, pedigree and power is more evident. Nice nose full of cherry, raspberry and strawberry complemented by wiff of smoke. On palate the tannins and acidity is prominent but in line with the fruit. This is enjoyable with food (had this with osso buco) and best as pop and pour. On 2nd day it is more turned itself. Remains to be seen if this closes down completely in near fjture or not. But definitely worth all the praise from the press. I need to add few mafs to my stash for the long haul — 4 years ago

Angelo Casagrande

9.0

Soft Nebbiolo flavors- lightly tannic. Opened up with some air and a little warmth. Seemed to get better and better. Had it with homemade grilled sausage, onions and peppers. Very nice all by its lonesome, too. — 4 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.5

Light brownish tawny, thin and translucent. Enticing nose. Notes of rose petals, earth, balsamic, some molasses and some red cherries. Smooth and silky in the mouth. Caught this bottle at a great time, it’s an awesome accompaniment to tonight’s lasagna. — 4 years ago

Chris McClellan

9.0

Gorgeous Barbaresco...soft and perfumed...against the Barolo from La Morra..could be tough to tell each apart! More menthol and sweet tobacco here...acid/alcohol/tannin at medium plus...great finish... — 4 years ago

with Ryan and Michael

Severn Goodwin

9.3

Looking for something to pair to spaghetti all'Amatriciana tonight. Decent but the dish probably deserves a slightly richer wine, more southern Italy.

Decanted 3H, prior notes mostly apply:
Nose has spring roses, mashed tart cherry, cold tar, cold dark chocolate and brown sugar.
Palate has milk chocolate covered cherry, lightly charred wood, early season cherry, dry loam-y soil, medium tannins and a medium-long finish.

Declassified Barbaresco thanks to Italian yield limits, this wine is a total value play at ~$35.
1088 bottles produced.

Future bottles should be at least 5-8Y out, 2026-2029 for future sampling, this wine has the guts to get at least there, and then some. — 4 years ago

Turd Ferguson

9.0

Mouth puckering acid. Tart cherry. Perfumed. Delicate. Plenty of tannin. Great with a plate of prozhoot and some gobbagool. Maybe lacks a bit of concentration if I’m being a critic. — 4 years ago

Lisa Barbera

9.8

Excellent. Drank the 1985 in 2021 for my 36th birthday. The color was still good, the nose was wonderful, the legs were as slow as molasses. Great wood notes. When we opened it, we did break the cork. The cork was longer than usual and longer than our screw. It was salvaged with a chopstick and there was only one speck of cork found in the wine. Incredibly low sediment for the age — maybe a shot glass of sediment was left in the bottle when we tipped it. — 4 years ago

with Mike

Ron Siegel

9.3

Didn’t purchase a lot of 05 Barolo but Giacosa like all great producers made good wine in off vintages. This was still youthful showing notes of cherry, leather, licorice spice, tea leaf, tar & rose petal. — 4 years ago