We had a pleasant dinner and opened up with-
Alois Lageder Tenutae Lageder Am Sand Gewurztraminer Alto Adige 2007- Very restrained compared to other regions and all the better for it. Lovely purity- fruit & acidity.
90pts
Bruno Giacosa Falletto Serralunga D’Alba Barolo 2000- I find his wines masterful and this is no exception. It has elegance and grace and perhaps it’s the vintage as it seems to be more Barbaresco like than Barolo. The fruit is pretty and delicate and this may disappoint some.
93pts +
Luciano Sandrone Barolo Le Vigne 1998- Bad cork from another UK distributor- explains why the Sandrones are keeping a percentage of each vintage and releasing it as museum stock. They have been disappointed with storage of retailers.
I find his wines have a brilliant integration of oak. This shows through at a decade. Majestic and sweet adolescent Barolo. I would love to try a well-stored bottle!
92pts
Marcarini La Serra Barolo 1998- Minty, twiggy and autumnal on the nose. Classic old fashioned style with power and length. I buy this producer’s wines and just put them up the back of the cellar.
93pts
Giuseppe Mascarello Villero Barolo 1998- Decanted for 4 hours and put back in the bottle. Wasn’t drunk at the restaurant and consumed 4 days later! I’ve had a bad run with 6 bottles of this wine. This was better with old tar and pruney fruit. Great power and poise.
88pts
Frustrated with UK purchases. I really do question their storage.