2011 Italy

With fruit from Serralunga d'Alba, the 2011 Langhe Sperss is a wine of profound beauty. This is a velvety and caressing expression with dark fruit layers followed by kirsch, cassis, leather, balsam herb and white truffle.

The Gaja family decided to move their bottling date forward in order to preserve the integrity and freshness of fruit in this warm vintage. This move has helped to avoid overripe sensations. In fact, Langhe Sperss seems fresh and tonic. This bodes exceptionally well for its aging potential.
95/100 Monica Larner, eRobertParker.com #219 Jun 2015

Cited as one of Barolo’s finest vineyards, a definite Grand Cru if & when the authorities get round to classifying the zone, Vigna Rionda is to Serralunga d’Alba what La Romanee-Conti is to Vosne-Romanee. It’s a vineyard that combines perfect exposure, soil, altitude & in Davide’s case old vines planted in 1946. The Giovanni Rosso cantina’s 1 hectare was inherited in 2010 from Davide’s cousin, Tommaso Canale, who had previously made & sold off the wine to the likes of Bruno Giacosa to bottle (as ‘Collina Rionda’).

Given the state of the vineyard, planted not just with Nebbiolo but also Dolcetto & Barbera, Davide has already replanted three-quarters with Nebbiolo; the remainder being prime old Nebbiolo vines, priceless plant material but producing only circa 2000 bts per year until the new vines come of age (in 2020?). 2011 is therefore Davide’s first vintage making Vigna Rionda, vinified in static stainless-steel, cement & in single 16hl slavonian oak large botte. Full bodied yet at the same time so agile, profound, mystical even. Think about drinking from 2021 at the earliest.
David Berry Green, BBR Italian Buyer

Round, supple and succulent, the 2011 Costa Russi is laced with dark red cherry, plum, mocha, cloves and new leather. The classic Costa Russi personality comes through in a soft, gracious wine with tons of near and medium-term appeal. The Costa Russi captures an attractive middle ground between the ripe, pliant style of the year and the medium bodied grace of Nebbiolo. I expect the 2011 will offer a long and broad drinking window of pure pleasure. Although Costa Russi is often the most precocious of Gaja's single-vineyard wines, it is the last site to be picked.
Antonio Galloni, Vinous, October 2014

The 2011 Villero is one of the most delicate Barolos in the vintage; it stands out for its pure silkiness. Dried dark cherry, spice, leather, crushed flowers and herbs open up on the nose, broad and yet elegant on the palate, with considerable length and freshness, supported by polished tannins.

The 2010 vintage was perhaps more famous, yet young Davide Rosso reckons he made better wines in 2011. His Serralunga d'Alba is a blend of five or six vineyards dotted along the calcareous ridge, that together articulate the intrinsic character and quality of the village's Baroli. But then Davide is one of them, his family owning vines there and formerly selling off fruit for a century until he stepped up after leaving Alba’s Umberto 1 Oenology School to bottle the fruit, rather than give it away. A brilliant cranberry-red colour, this 2011 version is focused, despite the August heat, with a cool head of cold tea and strawberry, redcurrant and rose aromas. It's refined, delightfully poised, with great Ferrari-like ‘lines’. Fabulous transparency, a glinting cassis-note, racy acidity, exquisite balance and this has a sense of strutting about it. Difficult not to enjoy now, this will improve in bottle for a decade or so.

Since first bottling his family’s Serralunga d’Alba fruit in the late 1990s, Davide has rightly gained a reputation as one of the region’s finest (Nebbiolo) winemakers. He may not have the name or history of some of his famous neighbours but perhaps as a result he’s further incited to prove himself. That he is surely doing with a range of peerless Serralunga Baroli, traditionally and expertly made using stainless steel, cement and French oak botti. Fortune came his and his mother Ester’s way in 2011, as they inherited a hectare of Vigna Rionda — one of Serralunga’s top vineyards — completing the range perfectly

With rich, black fruit on the nose, this has a powerful attack. The fruit on the palate is dark and brooding with plenty of weight and density to swathe the full and structured tannins. Again, hallmark Gaja style, this is one for the cellar.
Drink 2019-2029.

Until 31st August 2017 this product is discounted by up to 30%. Prices shown include discount; no further discount will be applied at checkout.

A real triumph: this has elegant, cool, red fruit with notes of mint and coffee on the nose. It is sumptuous and mouth-filling, yet still retaining amazing elegance and coolness. Terrifically complex with notes of red summer fruits, grilled meats, smoke, chocolate and herbs among many others. The finish is long and fine. 

Delightful red and black Sangiovese fruit, good ripeness and depth on the nose. More of the same with the addition of crisp acidity and ripe tannins on the palate, it’s all about the Sangiovese grosso fruit here, with notes of cherry, grilled meats and red currants. Good length and a harmonious finish, another great Brunello from Costanti, this will be at its best from its tenth birthday, but could be drunk from 2017.
Chris Pollington, Private Account Manager

One of Montalcino’s oldest estates, dating back to the time of the Medicis, Lisini is known more recently as one of the founding fathers of the Brunello di Montalcino Consorzio in the 1960s. The Clementi-Lisini family, at the 154-hectare property near Sant’Angelo in Colle (with 20 hectares are under vine), make a thoroughly traditional range that builds on ancient Eocene sand, clay and iron-rich soils; wines that were first bottled in 1967. Oenologist Filippo Paoletti stands guard over the estate’s pre-eminent position.

Lisini's Brunelli remain among our most traditional; in youth they are focused, quite serious, with crunchy-cool poise, and an almost Burgundian, herbal, cassis edge in 2011. Yet it opens up more on the palate, after 3.5 years’ oak-ageing after all, with juicy currants, gleaming cranberry-purity, cleansing acidity, red cherries, thick redcurrant-skins.

Taut, red cherry, mineral fresh, this is the most emphatic expression of Badia a Coltibuono's brilliant Chianti Classici from the village of Monti-in-Chianti. Very much the Serralunga of Chianti Classico, Badia's 2011 Riserva pings with herbal and organic-strawberry zip and detail, thanks to the classic Chianti blend of Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Colorino and Ciliegiolo. It has such energy, a mesh of tight-packed, ripe (Pinot-esque) fruit; yet such clarity, harmony and sinew too. This is a wine for the cellar if ever there was one, especially in magnum.

The Stucchi Prinetti family has owned this Chianti Classico estate since 1846, although the stunning abbey (Badia) harks back to 1051 and the Vallombrosan order of monks. More recently, the Gaiole-in-Chianti property has been managed by siblings Roberto, Emanuela, Paolo and Guido, who have updated the facilities and introduced organic viticulture. The heart of the 74-hectare estate lies at 400 metres above sea-level on alberese (limestone) and clay soils, notable around the village of Monti-inChianti, giving finely structured, ageworthy wines.

Emphatic, broad, darker, this has hints of liquorice, tamarind, clove and rose; even of animal. It brims with nuance, while the palate – for now – is dominated by kirsch cherry, a compôte of distilled stone-fruit, of mentholated, dried fruits. This needs time.

Manuel assumes charge of the defiantly traditional, 12-hectare Marcarini estate, along with his three children. Central to this historic, 19th-century cantina, based in central La Morra, with sweeping views over their vineyards below, are the two Barolo vineyards – La Serra and Brunate, of which they own fine plots.

A blend of Nebbiolo fruit from the villages of Barolo, Serralunga d'Alba and Monforte, in 2011 Chiara introduces some larger French oak alongside barriques. Picked relatively early, this has a cool, red, cherry-stone character, along with some oaky tannin notes.

E.Pira was one of Barolo’s most historical producers until the Boschis family bought it in 1980, transforming it overnight into one of its most modern. Chiara Boschis is at the helm, producing fruit-forward wines that give you more of everything: more extract, colour, acidity, alcohol and oak. She mollycoddles her organic vineyards as if they’re her children. Recently joined by her brother, Giorgio, the estate has now grown to 8.5 hectares.

Pale cherry-red, the nose swoons with delicate notes of camphor and fresh, wild Amarena cherry, along with a fragrant rose-water character. To taste, this glides: it’s so pretty, so effortless with gentle redcurrant fruit and tannins so finely curated that they’re invisible.

Darker cherry and brambly in character, with plum ice-cream, the 2011 Cannubi has great power of fruit on the palate. It shares the E.Pira trait of being cool, with a certain hint of Italian summer herbs, full-bodied and tannic on the finish.

E.Pira was one of Barolo’s most historical producers until the Boschis family bought it in 1980, transforming it overnight into one of its most modern. Chiara Boschis is at the helm, producing fruit-forward wines that give you more of everything: more extract, colour, acidity, alcohol and oak. She mollycoddles her organic vineyards as if they’re her children. Recently joined by her brother, Giorgio, the estate has now grown to 8.5 hectares.

Thanks to the likes of Trediberri and Roberto Voerzio, Rocche dell'Annunziata is quickly gaining a reputation as one of the Langhe's unofficial Grand Cru vineyards. Located in the sweet spot of La Morra, the vineyard is in a natural amphitheatre that has perfect aspect, altitude and soil composition of sand, clay and silt – similar indeed to that of Cannubi. Only a tiny quantity is made by the Oberto family – 1,080 bottles – which is traditionally fermented for 27 days and aged in smaller oak due to the quantity available. Backed by old vines, this is on another planet compared to their Barolo: emphatic with rosehip, rich with red cherry-stone sapidity, of mocha and tea, it's self-assured with a calm presence. One acknowledges the richer texture, the fuller weight, the (Grand Cru) kirsch quality to the loganberry-fruit. It's sumptuous and supple thanks to the small amount of oak; hedonistic yet cool.

Trediberri’s ‘tre’ are father and son, Federico and Nicola Oberto, along with their associate and friend Vladimiro Rambaldi. Their story began only in 2008 with the purchase of five hectares of vines in the hamlet of Berri, close to La Morra, which – together with close to two hectares of the mighty Rocche dell’Annunziata vineyard in front of their cantina – convinced Nicola to give up finance and turn to the trowel.

Drawn from their young Berri vineyard in the village of La Morra overlooking the Tanaro river, this traditional Barolo is vinified for 18 days on the skins before ageing in 25-hectolitre botti. It has an engagingly-bright, pale-red colour, a nose that sings (with a bit of air) of rosehip, bergamot and even of strawberry ripple. Their La Morra roots show through with the earthy red fruit, mixed spice, hints of orange peel, of tea-leaf and quinine. It's eager to please, openhearted and sincere; alive with charmingly-fleshy strawberry-fruit. This is on the lighter side due to the younger vines, but a joy to behold.

Trediberri’s ‘tre’ are father and son, Federico and Nicola Oberto, along with their associate and friend Vladimiro Rambaldi. Their story began only in 2008 with the purchase of five hectares of vines in the hamlet of Berri, close to La Morra, which – together with close to two hectares of the mighty Rocche dell’Annunziata vineyard in front of their cantina – convinced Nicola to give up finance and turn to the trowel.

The Gramolere wine has been made since 2001, when Flavia Manzone, married to Gian-Battista Alessandria, claimed her inheritance. Compared to the pale garnet-red of Verduno Baroli, the wines of Monforte possess a darker hue, that herald from the iron-rich, red soils. Helped by a western exposure, Gramolere is full, fleshy and emphatic; no roses here, just balsamic oil, clove and wild mint notes. Sumptuous but not hot, this should develop nicely in bottle.

Vittore and his cousin Alessandro continue to fine-tune this historic 19th-century Barolo estate, based in the village of Verduno. Indeed it’s Verduno’s location — close to the sandy Roero with some chalk in the soil and proximate to the Tanaro river running below— that gives the village’s wines a trademark softness and perfumed charm; an authentic expression that the Alessandria family is keen to emphasise through its wines.

The 2011 vintage is the first release of the Minuto family’s Barbaresco Asili, from their tiny handkerchief square of vines (0.6 hectares), comprising 55-year-old vines. There is more sand in Asili, contributing a fine texture, along with mentholated, ripe, small, strawberry fruit. It's so pretty, so suave, with impeccable lines, and quasi-perfect balance; a joy, but still in its relative youth. It should age beautifully if you can wait. 

One of the oldest, and finest Barbaresco estates, Cascina Luisin is located close to the village itself, overlooking its prime vineyard of Rabajà. Son Roberto is gradually filling the shoes of his father Luigi Minuto: there has been a renovation of the large oak botti, with Austrian Stockinger oak, along with a new family reserves cellar for all those magnificent old bottles. Alongside the pretty Barbaresco Paolin and more structured Rabajà, this year we are offering the first release of their old-vine Asili.

Since first bottling his family’s Serralunga d’Alba fruit in the late 1990s, Davide has rightly gained a reputation as one of the region’s finest (Nebbiolo) winemakers. He may not have the name or history of some of his famous neighbours but perhaps as a result he’s further incited to prove himself. That he is surely doing, with a range of peerless Serralunga Baroli, traditionally and expertly made using stainless steel, cement and French oak botti.

Pale garnet, this is decidedly cool-headed, with composed, cranberry, sea-salt poise. More aloof and distant than the gregarious Cerretta, Serra is very refined, with taut, red-berried fruit – it represents the essence of Serralunga Baroli. There is a rose transparency to the palate, along with plenty of energy and zip, while it seems that raspberry essence clings deliciously to the bracing acidity. Painfully good, this is one to tuck away for the years to come.

The Cerretta vineyard is located behind the family winery in the hamlet of Baudana. Here, compared to that of the Serra vineyard beyond the castello, the soil is darker, richer in organic matter and iron, akin to the soils of Castiglione Falletto across the valley. Consequently Giovanni Rosso's Cerretta is fuller, fleshier, broader and more generous (than Serra), while its DNA is definitely that of Serralunga – with cranberry-focus and a hint of sandalwood. The palate is a stunning wrap of gleaming cranberry, Pinot-like fruit, with zip, pace, presence; uplifting, edge-of-yourseat material. I reckon it's Davide’s best Cerretta yet, and will be good for a decade at least.

Since first bottling his family’s Serralunga d’Alba fruit in the late 1990s, Davide has rightly gained a reputation as one of the region’s finest (Nebbiolo) winemakers. He may not have the name or history of some of his famous neighbours but perhaps as a result he’s further incited to prove himself. That he is surely doing with a range of peerless Serralunga Baroli, traditionally and expertly made using stainless steel, cement and French oak botti. Fortune came his and his mother Ester’s way in 2011, as they inherited a hectare of Vigna Rionda — one of Serralunga’s top vineyards — completing the range perfectly.

This 6 bottle case contains wines from the 2011 vintage

1x 75cl Roberto Voerzio 1x Brunate
Voerzio's 2011 Barolo is a real head-turner. Weightless and gracious on the palate, yet blessed with tons of pure explosive energy, the Brunate captivates all the senses with its dazzling intensity and precision. The tannins are formidable, yet there is so much purity in the fruit they are barely evident at all. The Brunate has been stellar on both occassions I tasted it prior to bottling. Readers should put the Brunate on their short lists for 2011, as this looks to be one of the wines of the vintage. Drink 2019-2032
94-96/100 Antonio Galloni

2x 75cl Roberto Voerzio Barolo La Serra
In 2011, the Barolo Le Serra benefits from its slightly higher elevation and cooler micro-climate, both of which give the wine an added element of freshness that is needed. Dark red stone fruits, flowers, spices and leather are all supported by the characteristic firm La Serra tannins, but the 2011 has a little more mid-palate depth and overall volume that serves to balance some of the angular contours that can be present. A gorgeous and complete wine, the La Serra is also an overachiever in 2011. Drink 2017-2030
95/100  Antonio Galloni

3x 75cl Roberto Barolo Voerzio Annunziata
Another exotic, beguiling beauty, the 2011 Barolo Rocche dell'Annunziata captivates all the senses with its stunning bouquet, silky fruit and racy, voluptuous personality, all signatures of this great La Morra site. As always, the Rocche is a feminine, gracious wine that showcases the more finessed site of Nebbiolo. The Rocche also drinks well pretty much upon release, which I expect will be the case here as well. Drink 2016-2031 
95/100 Antonio Galloni

Marcarini's is a true interpretation of this breezy vineyard high up the La Morra escarpment: highlyperfumed with an intoxicating mix of incense, spice, tea, tobacco and dried rose, it's very whimsical. Difficult to pin down, elusive and ethereal, it's earthy yet also layered with rose petals – charming even in youth.

Manuel assumes charge of the defiantly traditional, 12-hectare Marcarini estate, along with his three children. Central to this historic, 19th-century cantina, based in central La Morra, with sweeping views over their vineyards below, are the two Barolo vineyards – La Serra and Brunate, of which they own fine plots.

This comes from the Falletto vineyard of Serralunga d’Alba, and from the estate of the same name that Bruno Giacosa bought in 1982. To the uninitiated. Serralunga d’Alba is responsible for Barolo’s finest, most sinewy Baroli, that derive their pedigree from the village’s white limestone soils, giving wines that benefit from time in bottle. Falletto is a top ‘Grand Cru’ vineyard, were such a classification to exist, lying in a natural conch-shaped site. The upper, whitest section is known as Le Rocche, released generally as a (red label) Riserva. This wine comes from the mid-slope belly of the vineyard lower down.
The 2011 vintage is regarded as giving fresh, fruity wines from a sunny and dry season – a cross between 2008 and 2009. In his first year at Giacosa, oenologist Francesco Versio recalls that the character and quality of 2011 was sealed by the cool September Serralunga nights at 15 degrees Celsius that followed hot days at 28 degrees. Still in its infancy, this vintage of Falletto, pale red garnet in colour, pings with white stony cranberry aromas; there’s a hint of coffee bean shells too. It’s precise, tight, cleansing, with again talc tannins and salty tight red berried fruit. This is the white label.
David Berry Green

Made famous, justly so, by the skill of Bruno Giacosa during the 1970s and 1980s, now new techniques in the vineyards have ensured that the Nebbiolo grapes are picked slightly earlier than previously and at optimum ripeness. Maceration times have been reduced from around 50 days to nearer 30, as a consequence of having physiologically ripe fruit from the vineyards. The fashionable, new, French 225-litre barriques are not for Giacosa: all his wine is aged in large 5,000-litre botti, though these are now French rather than Slavonian. Bruno’s wines are marvellously perfumed on the nose, and meaty and full-bodied on the palate.