Jay Kline

9.6

Popped and poured (not particularly recommended at this young age); enjoyed over the course of 90 minutes. The 2019 pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with fabulous notes of wild, dark brambles, purple flowers, bacon fat, spiced cured meats, purple Flintstones vitamins, a touch of the animale, a balanced combo of cool and warm spices and granitic minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the texture is like a mink glove. Baller Cornas. Drink now through 2054. Thanks for the assist @Lyle Fass — 11 days ago

Pooneet K

9.4

Absolutely a knockout wine. One of the best I’ve had in recent memory.

Reminds me of a story. About 13 years ago my then girlfriend (now wife) and I were living in Chicago. The owner of a small wine shop called Knightsbridge saw we were into wine and pulled out a bottle with a purple label that I had never seen before. That of course was Sylvain Pataille’s Marsannay - I remember buying a half case for under $25/bottle. We were still early in our burgundy exploration then, but that wine really turned us onto Burgundy in general and the “less heralded” appellations specifically.

Trying this took me back to that moment. Not that this is the same as the Pataille wines, but just the pure sense of discovery and deliciousness - even with value - that you could find back then.

This is perfect paired with roast chicken with mushrooms cooked in the chicken fat. Dense and mouth filling, with incredible dark red fruit, a bit of balsamic, and great acid. Just f’n delicious.

@Lyle Fass — 7 months ago

ESF

9.0

Great value, in a great drinking window - see all other comments. A @Lyle Fass find — a year ago

Rob Brobst III

9.7

@Lyle Fass please say you still have a few lying around??? — 3 months ago

Zach D

9.7

Quite simply one of the best Nebbiolo’s I have ever had. The nose is explosive; super fragrant rose petal, dried strawberry, some cranberry, various crunchy red fruits. Tar, leather, forest floor, porcini mushroom, leather. Palate with concentrated dried strawberry, cranberry, soft tannins, dried fruit, integrated acidity, no alcoholic heat, lengthy finish. Complex. Most ratings I have seen are in the 89-93 range; for me this is much higher, and in the perfect place for consumption as it has a great balance of primary fruit and tertiary aged character.
@Lyle Fass — 4 months ago

ESF

9.2

@Lyle Fass is spot on w/this wine — just fantastic and approachable price point. — a year ago

Jay Kline

9.2

I’ve been wanting to try the wines of Cantina Tomaso Gianolio for years but finding them on this side of the Atlantic has been a challenge. As of now, I don’t know much about where Davide and Igor Gianolio source their fruit but the family has been making these wines in a traditional manner for over 90 years so I’m sure the source is exceptional. So traditional, even the cork is short and stubby, lol!

Popped and poured; enjoyed over two days. Consistent throughout. The 2019 pours a light garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing and tar forward early but it quickly transforms into a veritable beauty with notes of raspberries, rose water, tar, star anise, talcum powder, and dry, stony earth. On the palate, the with is dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Elegant and lovely expression of the 2019 vintage. Drink now with patience and through 2044 (if the cork will keep that long). Huge thanks to @Lyle Fass for the assist! — a year ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Best on Day 2. The 2020 pours a garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of Morello cherry, red roses, talcum powder, strawberry and raspberry cream, wood varnish, green herbs and dried gravelly earth. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and savory. Drink now through 2040.

These gotta be some of the best values left in Barolo. It’s probably worth noting that I had been wanting to try the wines from Tomaso Gianolio for many years however, distribution was almost non-existent. Thanks for changing all that @Lyle Fass — 3 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Apropos, the vines for “La Chapelle” are adjacent to the chapel perched at the very top of the Mont Brouilly where it is quite dry and the soil is very poor. The vineyard is also remarkably steep making manual harvest essential.

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of three days. Fairly consistent throughout but I felt it was most enjoyable on Day 2 and 3. The 2022 “La Chapelle” pours a deep ruby/purple color; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is youthful and fresh with beautiful notes of tart blackberries, red plum, wet stone, a combination of red and purple flowers, licorice, dried green herbs, some wood varnish. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and has a stiff spine of minerals. This is a cerebral wine compared to “Godefroy” (which is almost quaffable in comparison). Drinking well now to enjoy its freshness but will undoubtedly drink well through 2037+. Thanks for the assist @Lyle Fass — a year ago

Jay Kline

9.5

First things first, the wines of Bel Air Marquis d’Aligre or “BAMA”, as they are affectionately known, are not for everyone. They are essentially relics of a bygone era, made by a man who has largely resisted change over the last 74 years. Yes, that’s right, Jean-Pierre has been making the wine at BAMA since 1950. While nearly everyone around him has adopted whatever technology or technique that is trending, Jean-Pierre has held fast to his tradition. Before I get into the tasting notes, it’s worth sharing that opening a bottle of BAMA is a wild trip. A spirit walk of sorts. There are periods when you think the wine is fading and then minutes later, it’s a whirling dervish. It transformed every 20 minutes so be ready for the ride of your life.

Popped and poured; consumed over two days. Remarkable throughout. In the glass, the wine is a deep garnet color moving towards a rust color rim; slightly hazy with a near opaque, translucent core. Medium viscosity with light staining of the tears and some signs of fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous showing notes of desiccated cherries, currants, rhubarb, prunes, pomegranate, tobacco, cedar box, a well-conditioned horse saddle, an old library, espresso, roasted Brussels sprouts and damp earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium(+?) tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is seriously 5 minutes long; it’s got the elegance of Margaux with an unctuous texture. Truly remarkable. A veritable abyss of complexity. Drink now with patience but honestly, I’m not even sure a wine like this ever dies so I wouldn’t be concerned about holding these for another couple decades. Special thanks to @Lyle Fass for the assist. — 2 years ago