Jay Kline

9.1

Presented to me double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a garnet color with a translucent core and some rather significant rim variation; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose the wine is vinous with notes of tart, ripe, and some desiccated red fruits: Morello cherry, red flowers, leather, cedar chest, dried green herbs and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is medium+. Initial conclusions: this could be Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, or Granache from Italy or France. I felt the tannin was too high to be Grenache so I vacillated between Sangiovese and Nebbiolo. And due to the color and profile, 25+ years age from a good vintage. Ultimately, the light staining, and the perceived new oak made me feel as though this was probably Sangiovese from Brunello di Montalcino. So that’s my call: Sangiovese, from Italy, from Tuscany, from Brunello di Montalcino, 2001. Welp!! This was one of the first vintages after Antinori took over ownership of the property. The modern touch apparently threw me off a bit. Still quite tasty. Drink now. — a month ago

Raul Puga

9.4

Really good. Pleasant surprise — 4 days ago

romo

9.3

Gained youth with air. Do not dismiss a deep power from the ethereal visual and textural cues. Crys for sugo in 2030. — 23 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Previous notes apply. @La Posta

Paired with Polpette-Beef, Pork, & Veal Polette, Creamy Polenta, Dirty Girl Pole Beans, Parmigiano. — a month ago

Pooneet K

9.3

Really a lovely Barolo. Last had 2 years ago. Opened 4 hours in advance, no decant. Don’t think it needed it either - this is quite seamless. Lighter color in the glass, but with a clarity that is obvious. Aromatically a lot of lighter red fruit and some earth. Palate has real depth with good acid and medium tannins with a very long finish. Quite delicious and a perfect pairing with some grilled campo grande pork marinated with garlic and rosemary. — 3 days ago

John W

9.1

Maroon coloration. On the nose, cherry, florals, leather, minerals, and vanilla. On the palate, cherry, red berry, earth, minerals, stronger acidity and tannins present but not overpowering. A Barolo with more finesse than power. — 4 days ago

Justin Manni

9.2

It was great after it opened up. Dry, leather, berries. Will be best in another year or two. — 11 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2021 vintage. Decanted and tasted after 45 mins. Chunky and decently power-laden. Hints of finesse here and there. Much too much too early obvs but time, space and the FLB (Friday Lunch Bunch) demanded a sacrificial lamb. The oracle at Delphi was on a lunch break apparently so no tea leaves or entrails read but this needs at least 3-4 years to divine the future. 08.15.25. — 15 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped in poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2019 Bricco delle Viole pours a garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with lovely ripe notes of Morello cherry, raspberry, roses, tar, talcum powder, dried herbs and dry 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 long. Typically, I feel as though Vaira’s wines need significant time in the cellar however, this is one of the finer examples of a young Vajra that I have had in a long time. Drink now with patience through 2049. — 25 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.6

2018 vintage. Last tasted 04.08.23 (9.5), 12.01.22 from a 375ml (9.5) and upon release 06.07.21 (9.5). Decanted and tasted after 45 minutes. Mysterious, dark-fruited and dusty nose. Medium body with excellent darkness of night color. Previous baby-fat overtures approximately 90% gonzo. Slimming down and getting more toned. In a state of transition with undeniable tension that can easily be misconstrued as underperforming. Last wine I tasted that was under this sort of metamorphosis at this level was the 1996 Pichon-Lalande about 1.5 years ago. Such a privilege to experience world-class wines in such a vulnerable moment. Everything is laid out bare/naked before you and you can see where the wine is headed and whether it will be following a trajectory that agrees with you. Definitely unusual to find this occurring in a wine this youthful but the 21st Century is smashing the old 20th Century clay tablets and digitizing. For most wine enthusiasts sampling this wine now, expecting some disappointment in the scoring. For myself, this is currently in the perfect symmetry of past, present and future. Will it show critically better in the future according to the accepted trials, palates, judges and juries? Probably. Will they experience the potential, doubts, insecurities and questions? Doubtful. This kid stays in this exact picture for another 2-4 years imho before striking another pose and I would love to taste this again during that time frame. An above and beyond thank you to FLB (Friday Lunch Bunch) regular Todd. 08.15.25. — 15 days ago