Cascina ALBERTA
2016 Barbaresco Giacone
This is a wine that can be drunk already, although there is enough tannin to support aging. The wine is medium-weight with a smooth texture and Nebbiolo tannins for firmness and features classic tar, roses, and red cherry. Not one of the greats of the vintage but a decent value. 14.5% stated alcohol. Lot L.BG0318. 89/B
Comm. G. B. BURLOTTO
2018 Dolcetto d’Alba
This is a light, fresh, pleasing Dolcetto with roses and tea in the nose, red cherry fruit and just a hint of vanilla on the light-weight palate. 12.5% stated alcohol. Lot DA 18. 89/A
2018 Langhe Nebbiolo
Light on the palate with tar and red cherries that carry over from the nose, and very little tannin evident, this is an easy-to-drink (think Beaujolais) Nebbiolo of good quality. From young Barolo vines. 14.5% stated alcohol. Lot L NL18. 89/A
La CA’ NOVA
2015 Barbaresco
This is enticing Langhe wine that can be enjoyed now, yet has the balance to age. Begin with a classic tar and roses nose, then move on roses and cherries on palate in a medium-weight body that shows elegance. Lot L 240/17. 14.5% stated alcohol. 91/A
Ettore GERMANO
2018 Langhe Nebbiolo
This is an easy-to-drink, approachable Nebbiolo with red cherry and strawberry fruits in the nose and mouth, lightness on the palate, and good persistence in the mouth. Drink over the next couple of years. 13% stated alcohol. Lot L27/19V. 88/A
Bruno GIACOSA
2016 Nebbiolo d’Alba
Although it may yet close up, for drinking now, you’ll be hard-pressed to get a more attractive young Nebbiolo than this one. The nose has smoky red cherries. The mouth is ample with crystalline red cherry fruit. There’s good acidity here, as well as tannin to support aging, but the ebullient fruit makes this wine so attractive already. 14% stated alcohol. 91/A
MARCARINI
2016 Langhe Nebbiolo Lasarin
This is a Nebbiolo that you don’t have to wait for. The nose is exuberant with dark plum and strawberry jam fruit, plus milk chocolate. The mouth is medium-weight with smoothness already coming on, and plenty of delicious dark plum fruit along with chocolate overtones. The wine is from young vines in Marcarini’s Barolo vineyards (La Serra and Brunate) as well as vines in Neviglie. 13.5% stated alcohol. Lot L.2. 91/A
PRODUTTORI DEL BARBARESCO
2018 Langhe Nebbiolo
This wine takes a while to open up and begin to show some fruit. When it does so, there is pretty, if simple, red cherry fruit in a medium-light body with good grip. Lot L. 19.261. 14.5% stated alcohol. 86/B-
2016 Barbaresco
This wine is quite tannic, and indeed, I found it virtually undrinkable the first day it was open. A night in the decanter did wonders for the wine, however. The wine is packed with tar and red cherry fruit, and leather in both the nose and mouth. The wine is full-bodied and rich with very good length and a succulent, almost sappy, texture. If you don’t give the wine a very long decant, plan on a long cellaring — ten years or more. 14.5% stated alcohol. Lot 19.044. 91/A