Piedmont PIEDMONT WON
GOLD
Sparkling white 95 Vallebelbo, Cesare Pavese Brut, Alta Langa 2018 (12%)
Green apple aromas open to reveal rich brioche, croissant and yoghurt characters with some fresh pear and crisp red berry fruits. There’s a lively lemon pith and chalk finish that provides fresh balance.
GOLD Red 96 ForteMasso, Castelletto Riserva, Barolo 2015 (14.5%)
£86.95 Independent Wine
An open-knit, spicy, earthy wine of refined concentration. Forest floor and black fruits underpin ethereal clouds of sweet spices, toasted notes and mineral complexity. Huge tannins wrap 1 Best in show (see p31)
1 Platinum (see p61)
For Silver-winning wines go to decanter.com/ dwwa/silver
For Bronze-winning wines go to decanter.com/ dwwa/bronze
the palate in structure, and the finish is long and tightly wound.
96 Marchesi di Barolo, Cannubi, Barolo 2018 (14%)
£67.99 C&C WInes
Depth of character, aromas of dried fruits, oak-layered cherries, attractive orange peel, a touch of sweet onion relish. Broad with muscular tannins. Great potential.
96 Marchesi di Barolo, Coste di Rose, Barolo 2018 (14%)
£57.99 C&C WInes
Glorious Turkish delight-laced nose, a touch of red fruit. Taut, lean and sleek, yet with ample fruits and growing succulence. Red cherry, liquorice and dried sage complexities on the finish: fleshy and very long.
96 Mauro Molino, Conca, Barolo 2018 (15%)
£77.50 Champagnes & Châteaux POA $ Giuliana Imports, Michael Skurnik
A gently toasty cherry aroma develops, with notes of dried red fruits and liquorice. Palate is concentrated with firm tannins, leading with ripe bramble, sloe fruit, prunes and some sweet vanilla. Delicate but powerful.
96 Paolo Manzone, Riserva, Barolo 2016 (14.5%)
Wonderful aromatics and intensity, generous red cherry, plum and strawberry sherbet notes. Massive structure and puckering tannins open to forest floor and mushrooms, coffee and polished oak.
96 Principiano Giuseppe e Francesco, Boscareto, Barolo 2018 (14%)
$55 The House of Burgundy Pronounced toasted aromas of coffee powder, light cherry fruit and roses. Fleshy on the palate with red fruit, redcurrant and a touch of raisin. Well-integrated tannins, refreshing acidity and a long, persistent finish.
96 Rizieri, Silio, Barolo 2018 (14.5%)
Aromas of polished new oak gradually open to brighter floral perfume. Cherry cola sweetness with overlaying vanilla spice. Assertive tannin structure develops and brings some dusty rusticity.
96 Sobrero, Ciabot Tanasio, Barolo 2017
(14.5%)
POA $ T Edward Wines
A warming aroma brings notes of red berry conserve and rose petals. Precision and balance: sweet red berries, coffee, earthy notes, all surrounded by velvety tannins and welcome acidity.
95 Bianchi, Vigneto Valferana Riserva, Gattinara 2013 (14%)
A concentrated wine with suave sophistication. Rich red fruits show highlights of green olive, crushed tobacco and violets. Tannins are dry and refined. Great potential for this slightly rustic and vigorous wine.
95 Cantine Povero, Priore, Barolo 2017 (14.5%)
£29.99-£34.50 Le Vignoble,
The Dorset Wine Co, The Sampler,
The Vineking
Balsamic aromas with coffee and toast. Ripe cherry and baked plums, an earthy toasted note. Tannins ripe and fine, and there is good acidity to balance the long and pleasant finish.
95 Castello di Neive, Santo Stefano Albesani, Barbaresco 2019 (14.5%)
POA £ Farthinghoe Fine Wines, FortyFive10°
POA $ The Winebow Group Expressive, charming raspberry coulis nose. Soft and generous, charm rather than power. Red berry fruits and white pepper, fennel, fresh potting soil, with a cedar wood accent to the finish.
95 Fontanafredda, Proprietà in Fontanafredda, Barolo 2018 (14.5%)
£36.99 Wine Rack
A soft, red-fruited wine at first glance, but it opens up to a charming complexity of red fruits, fennel, touches of fresh earth, chocolate and cherry stone freshness. Grippy tannins to a well-poised finale.
‘The overall quality of Nebbiolo wines exceeded expectations at all levels. Wines were expressive and reflective of the vintage and they were not overworked’ --------------------------- Sara Bachiorri, Piedmont judge
95 La Lomellina, Marchese d’Azeglio, Langhe 2020 (14%)
Perfumed raspberry with subtle hints of tar and rose aromas. Plum, gamey and charming red fruit notes along with silky tannins. A charming Nebbiolo style with complexity and poise, following on to a lovely long finish.
95 Marchesi di Barolo, Serragrilli, Barbaresco 2018 (14%)
£47.59 C&C WInes
Densely aromatic, exhibits aromas of rose water, crunchy red cherries and blueberries. Muscular yet ripe; fresh roses, dark chocolate and a long, perfumed, cherry-filled finish with a touch of tea leaf.
95 Palladino, San Bernardo Riserva, Barolo 2016 (15.5%)
£70 Asset Wines, Ultravino
POA $ Enotec Imports
Has shoulders, width, body and concentration. Layers of impenetrable dark fruits with balsamic and ethereal fresh green herbs, touches of oak. Umami-rich, leathery-textured palate. Wait 10 years!
95 Rocche Costamagna, Bricco Francesco Rocche dell’Annunziata Riserva, Barolo 2016 (14.5%)
£52.24 Jascots
Brooding cherry, strawberry sherbet and forest floor aromas. Firm, dominant tannin structure and concentration at first, but it opens quickly to reveal rich layers of spiced plum cake, Morello cherries, truffles and delicate mushrooms.
95 Dogliotti 1870, Berlet, Moscato d’Asti 2021 (5.5%)
Lightly aromatic with great liveliness. Rose petal and white melon aromas open into white pear and peach flavours. A hint of bitter candied orange peel provides a counterpoint to the sweetness. Vibrant, lightly creamy, clean and delicious.