Bob McDonald

9.5

A tawny edge when swirled. First impressions - a powerful wine. “A Man’s Wine”… (you can only get away with that these days if you’re over 70!). Tannins have calmed in 17 years. Menthol, liquorice, earth and balsamic notes. Full bodied with finer grained tannins developing. Tasting this - many years left in the drinking window. From an excellent Barolo vintage. I might leave the last 07 until 20 years old in 2027. — 21 days ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Poured into a decanter immediately prior to service. Not only was this 43 year old willing, it was positively singing right out of the gates! The 1981 Fontanafredda Barolo (classico) shows good color: a deep garnet with a transparent core and significant rim variation; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. There is some light sediment but most was decanted off. On the nose, the wine is vinous with gorgeous notes of ripe and desiccated dark cherries, pomegranate, old leather-bound books, truffle, earth and exotic spices. On the palate the wine is dry. The tannins are integrated but still pretty firm and acid is medium+. Confirming the notes on the nose. The finish is long and savory. Wow, what a remarkable bottle of Fontanafredda; arguably the best I’ve had. Perhaps I’ve aged as well? One would certainly hope. If you are also 43 years old or holding onto any of these 81’s from Fontanafredda, drink now. However, if this bottle is representative of well cellared examples, it could easily drink well through 2031. — a month ago

Mandi Speidel

City Territory Chicago, Maverick Wine Company

9.0

Happy Mother’s Day!!! — a month ago

Cate Hatch

9.1

Really lovely Arneis. Love this grape however this is a more layered and complex expression. Retains levity while delivering length and finish. Drinking well right now. — a month ago

Samuel Tyndall

9.4

Very dry, high high acid. Leather, smoke, cedar, minerals. Not much fruit. Higher tannins. And a good borolo flavor — 2 months ago

Raul Puga

9.3

Delicious — 2 months ago

David D

9.1

Straight from the source, dinner @ Castello di Verduno. Delicious as always. Great acids, black pepper, flinty tannins, slate, tart red berry, slightly brambly. 06/08/2024 — 7 days ago

with Giorgio and Christian

Conrad Green

9.5

Great. Black cherry with some strawberry. Beautiful richness and clear fruit. Some leather and tangy woody orange. Very pure and intense. Excellent. From mag. — 24 days ago

with Tony and David

Big Wave Dave

9.3

Lived up to their reputation. Tannins were prominent but fine and integrated and not overbearing due to the fruit intensity. Balanced and long once it breathed for 1+ hr — 25 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Fruit sourced from five vineyards, Brunate, Liste, Cerequio, Cannubi and Raviole. Medium Ruby red color with aromas of red fruit, earthy spices, floral and cedar. On the palate flavors of sour cherry and raspberry with notes of floral, smoky tobacco, vanilla and oak. Long finish, nice balance with fine soft tannins, ending with an earthy character. Good now, a few bottle years will benefit! — a month ago

romo

9.3

Called blind Chianti from the leafy balsamic, then went Nebbiolo from the spice and florals. Super elegant. — a month ago

Brent Clayton

9.4

Antithetical great bottle. Dark and brooding but it opened up nicely. Muscular but balanced. — a month ago

with Eric

Sid Dhar

9.0

Young vintage, but give it 20 mins in the decanter and it sings! — 2 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

Medium Ruby with aromas of fresh berry fruits, floral and sweet spice. On the palate this medium body wine shows flavors of juicy blueberry and blackberry with notes of herbs and vanilla spice. Dusty tannin structure, lively acidity, medium ending with crisp fruit finish. Nice value. Drink now, consistent, no aging benefit. — 2 months ago

Justin Bothur

8.9

Dried roses, sandalwood, stemmy,, definitely still young. Takes some time to open but shit then it’s good! — 6 days ago

GaryWEdwards

9.4

Nice layers of dark fruits that is to be enjoyed now. — 5 days ago

Adolf Kristjansson

9.2

Wonderful Nebbiolo … highly recommended! — 7 days ago

with Charlotte

Ron Siegel

9.2

Nice vintage for this producer that is youthful showing cherry, berry fruit, dried herbs, leather, rose petal & tobacco — a month ago

Peter Hladun

9.0

Beautiful and light with just a super light tannin finish. Another great bottle barn find. — a month ago

Mattia Zanella

9.0

Excellent wine Gattinara Bervi 2009 — 2 months ago