Tasting Report: More Excellent Piedmont Wines

It’s such a great time to buy wonderful Nebbiolo with 2008 and 2007 Barolos in the market. The two vintages produced very different wine styles, but I like them both. The 2008s are more fragrant and balanced with firm yet ripe tannins and fresh acidity, while the 2007s are ripe and fruity with round textured tannins.

In this report, I posted about 130 different wines from blind tastings at my office in Italy late last year. They buttressed my earlier tastings in 2012 from the region of Piedmont. Please click here to see those.

The wines from Elio Cogno and Borgogno are worth checking out in this report, and, more importantly, they are wines that emphasize balance, harmony and complexity instead of power. I also have a tasting note for a Cogno Barbera d’Alba from 135-year-old vines that were never grafted. This shows concentration yet finesse. It has wonderful depth. Please try to find some. It’s very cool indeed.

The Pecchenino Dolcettos are also must finds. I think the brothers do the best Dolcettos in Piedmont.

I have spoken to a number of US retailers as well as importers; it’s like other key Italian wine markets in the world. There are lots of Barolos and Barbarescos in the market at the moment. There has been just too many excellent vintages for the region. Moreover, the 2006s – overhyped by some – have not sold through. I suggest looking for some vintages such as 2004 and 2005 for current drinking and then buying 2007 and 2008 for cellaring.

In any case, everyone who loves drinking top Piedmont reds is happy. There’s never been more choice of excellent bottles.

Click for PDFs of all Piedmont wines tasted in 2012 listed by name and by score.

 

Also tasted, but not receiving marks of 90 points or more:

2008 Ada Nada Barbaresco Elisa 2008 Andrea Oberto Barolo  2008 Angelo Germano Barolo Vigna Rue 2008 Attilio Ghisolfi Barolo Bussia Bricco Visette 2009 Beni di Batasiolo Barbaresco  2008 Beni di Batasiolo Barolo Bussia Vigneto Bofani 2009 Bersano Barbaresco Mantico 2008 Boroli Barolo  2008 Bruna Grimaldi Barolo Camilla 2009 Ca' Rome di Romano Marengo Barbaresco Chiaramanti 2010 Ca'Viola Dolcetto d'Alba Violt 2008 Cantina Sansilvestro Barolo Patres 2008 Cascina Adelaide Barolo Pernanno 2008 Fiorenzo Nada Barbaresco Rombone 2011 Giacomo Borgogno & Figli Dolcetto d'Alba  2008 Giovanni Sordo Barbaresco  2008 Giovanni Sordo Barolo Rocche di Castiglione 2008 L'Illuminata Barolo Tebavio 2009 Massimo Rivetti Barbaresco Froi 2006 Oddero Barolo Bussia Soprana Vigna Mondoca 2009 Olek Bondonio Barbaresco  2009 Olek Bondonio Barbaresco Roncagliette 2011 Ottosoldi Gavi  2008 Piero Busso Barbaresco Gallina 2009 Poderi Lorenzo Alutto Barbaresco