I was promised a dinner of Beef Short Ribs alongside this Barolo by some old friends.  No formal tasting notes were taken but from memory- medium garnet in the glass with some bricking on the edges and a slow moving set of legs on the walls.  The nose was seductive with aromas of red cherry, mushroom, leather, tobacco, cloves and forest floor.  The palate was showing layers of tertiary flavors alongside a crisp acidity and very svelte tannins.  This 12 year old Nebbiolo has matured beautifully and the earthy, savory notes have started to overtake the once powerful tart cherry notes I know this wine had in youth.  It’s still there, but not so fresh, not so prominent.  The mushroom component was quite exciting to me, it’s not very often I get to notice this development.  Forest floor, tobacco and leather complement the umami note.  On the mid palate, this medium weight wine has great transition and the faint cherry note reappears.  Adding some acidity on the finish, what is left of the fruit balances the earthy tertiary notes whilst the last vestiges of tannin balance out the acidity.  It’s a magnificent wine that once got 94 points from the pros.  I would agree.  It can still be found for under a hundo on the www.  Drink soon with some rich, layered stews or pastas.  5 stars.  Salut….

This young Nebbiolo is 50% opaque and has a beautiful crimson hue in the glass. Thick legs bely the potent 15% alcohol. On the nose I get cranberries, cherry, anise and leather- textbook. On the palate it is delicious, if not young. The tannins are formidable but I manage to break through the barrier and taste Bing cherries, leather, espresso and black tea. The tannins are gripping on the mid-palate, so much so that the top of my gums feel abused by rough hewn rope. The finish is a terrifically dry affair but the red fruits come through as does a balancing acidity. This is a delicious infant of a monster wine. With proper aeration, decating or extended cellaring it will soften and develop into a beautiful bottle. For now, you will need to pair it with a fatty meat, like I am with Rack of Lamb- or decant over a full day. 93 points from me as I see the potential in this wine and look forward to our next meeting. At $55 it is typically priced for a Barolo, which are never cheap. I am going with 5 stars as I think this one will reward some patience and be delicious by 2025. Drink till 2033. Salut….

Semi opaque medium tint of purple. I get a delicious whiff of black cherry, cedar, tobacco and spice box.  On the palate the wines visual and nose bely it’s power and structure.  It has a very forward stab of fruit alongside a crescendo of tannins that present cherries, lingonberry and leather on the initial palate.  The tannins sear my gums and carry me to the midpalate of more stark red fruits and that earthy component.  The finish- dry AF, really has some juiciness to it.  The cherries are the dominant force battling the astringency.  This wine is a cherub, the tannins almost too much at this stage but I feel this wine will evolve in the next 5-10 years.  I’m going with 92 points but either decant the hell out of it or put it away for a long time.  $30 and 4 stars for this Nebbiolo.  Drink from 2024-2034.  Salut….