A kinder, gentler Barolo/Barbaresco?

As has been suggested, Cantalupo Agamium is a good value. However, I find that a few years in the cellar really helps it become more approachable.

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Yeah. Too many wine geeks chasing a tiny supply. Very small world. I guess it’s better that we split it. I bet we got the 17 Antoniotti at the same place too. Looking forward to your note on it.

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Chambers Street Wine had an amazing selection of oldish Sella wines just last week in a Private Collectors Sale.

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Oh boy, Jason from Sterophonic wine just posted these offers…I’m in for the crowdsource sampler, love stuff like this (even though essentially this means the damn Berserkers are making me spend MORE money on wine - my endless struggle)

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Thanks Todd! I hope the community likes the selection and convenience of getting the Berserkers’ collective wisdom.

And thanks to all who participated in this thread with suggestions and commentary, especially @ChrisJames @Dav1d_Sawyer @M_Meer @Troy_Stark @Scott_Watkins @Max_S1 @Ian_Sutton @John_Morris @M.Kaplan @Clayton_Wai-Poi @Nathan_V @Joseph_Grassa @MSemler @Yule_Kim @Michae1_P0wers @Brett_Carter @AAgrawal @Marshall_Manning and @Otto_Forsberg for filling this thread with recommendations that got me hunting.

Here’s the first round sampler:

6pk:
2018 Ferrando Carema Etichetta Bianca

2018 Le Pianelle Coste della Sesia “Al Forte”

2015 Boniperti Fara “Barton”

2014 Rovellotti Ghemme “Chioso dei Pomi”

2020 Conti “Origini” Vino Rosso

2019 Boniperti Vespolina “Favolalunga”

the 12pk has those and adds:

2015 Rovellotti Ghemme Riserva “Costa del Salmino”

2019 Francesco Brigatti Ghemme “Oltre Il Bosco”

2020 Rovellotti Vespolina “Ronco al Maso”

2018 Le Pianelle Bramaterra

2018 Conti Boca “Il Rosso delle Donne”

2018 Francesco Brigatti Nebbiolo “Mötziflon” Colline Novaresi


I also have a separate offer on the 2018 Ferrando Etichetta Bianca below W-S low. Have a look. Thanks!

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Jason this is very cool and how could I not take a 6 pack of Ferrando?! Damn my 3 daughters getting married this year :berserker:

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Thanks Scott!

I’m very happy with the way the 2015 ARPEPE Sassella Stella Retica is currently drinking and love that it’s only 13% ABV.

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First round of samplers and special orders went out today! Please post notes as you get into these awesome wines! :rocket:

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I found another lighter style Langhe that qualifies as a daily drinker at less than $20. Even better, it’s only 13% ABV.

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Don’t know what happened to that last post. The Langhe that I was referring to is the 2021 Nino Costa. It is less than $20 in Maine, made in a light style and only 13% ABV.

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2014 Giacosa Nebbiolo d’Alba Valmaggiore last night. Tannins resolved, a little bottle stink on opening, and glorious an hour after opening. $35/bottle in 2019 and a joy to drink.

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This statement bears repeating.
100% agree

@Otto_Forsberg
@Ian_Sutton

I saw this instagram post by @Eric_Guido which reminded me about this topic and thoughts about Langhe Nebbiolo:

“… Good luck telling this apart from a high-end Barbaresco in a blind tasting.”

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What are people’s thoughts about the Sottimano Barbarescos? I read that they use barrique and 15% new oak, and I was wondering whether the Barbarescos come across as oaky?

I’m particularly interested in their Pajore – I’ve been interested in exploring Barbarescos from Treiso.

I don’t have a ton of experience with Sottimano, but I’ve always enjoyed their wines. I have not found them to be too oaky. Maybe a little polished, but not oaky. It seems like Sottimano and Sandrone are the two producers that use some new wood that still resonate with those who prefer only very traditional producers.

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Yes, the landscape is much more nuanced these days than in the early years of the modernist vs. traditionalist divide. I liked that aspect of Pat Burton’s wiki style attempt to guide people to the styles. The classification wasn’t Trad OR Modern, but had subtlety with ‘Lean’ used for a producer (or wine) that edged one way or the other, but still used practices common on the other side of the divide.

The little I’ve tasted of Sottimano didn’t feel like it was on either extreme, but whereabouts on the spectrum they sit, I really don’t know.

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Yule, I’ve only had a few Sottimano but haven’t found them to be overly oaky or modern. I have Pajore with a bit of age, happy to share one with you some time.

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They used to use new oak, but I don’t believe they use any new oak currently. I’ve had the 2019 & 2020 Fausoni this year, and both were outstanding and very interesting wines. I found them quite ‘burgundian’ texturally. Both vintages seem like they need some time, but not necessarily decades, I bet in 5-10 years will be really great.

My prior Sottimano experience was with the 2008s, and I found them a bit clunky with some definite new oak. The 2019/2020s are a very different style.

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Barbaresco dinner! Now that would be fun.