1 | Wine | Nebbiolo, $20 to $50 | Page 3

"Sweet fruit is the overarching theme in this lush red. Cherry, raspberry, eucalyptus, iron and tea flavors combine with the well-integrated structure as this glides to an aftertaste of cherry and iron."

"The 2006 Gattinara Castelle flows with the essence of dark fruit, smoke, tar and scorched earth. This is a decidedly powerful, intense Gattinara endowed with gorgeous intensity in its fruit and fabulous overall balance. Floral notes are woven gracefully into the juicy, generous finish. The Castelle has more than enough structure to develop nicely for a number of years."

This wine was named #17 of Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines of 2012.

"This concentrated, well-toned red is packed with cherry, plum, soy and spice aromas and flavors. Round and balanced, with a sweet berry and mineral aftertaste. Really builds nicely, gaining elegance and intensity. The fine aftertaste of cherry, tobacco and woodsy notes lingers."

"An elegant, perfumed wine. Polished and elegant throughout, the Castelletto reveals attractive inner perfume and lovely red fruit, all framed by silky tannins."

"The 2006 Barbaresco Sori’ Paitin flows onto the palate in a masculine expression of dried cherries, autumn leaves, tobacco, roasted coffee beans, licorice and leather. The wine possesses notable concentration and depth, but the aromas are slightly forward. The former suggests the wine will age gracefully on its fruit, the latter that it will develop rather quickly. My best guess is that the Barbaresco will drink well for a number of years even if it won’t necessarily improve. Readers who enjoy the firm style of Barbaresco typical of this part of Neive will find much to admire here."

"The 2007 Barbaresco Martinenga emerges from the glass with a delicate expression of fruit that in essence defines the house style. The 2007 is a wonderfully open, expressive Martinenga laced with ripe red berries, flowers and spices, all of which come together on a weightless frame of notable class. This is a fabulous effort from Marchesi di Gresy."

"Emerges from the glass with spices, tobacco, leather and mint. This is an especially fleshy vintage for the Lazzairasco. The wine shows fabulous overall balance and a sensual, inviting personality that is impossible to resist".

"The 2008 Barolo is one of the more interesting wines in its price range. It shows the richness of the house style and muscle of Serralunga along with an accessible personality that makes it a pure joy to taste. Dark cherries, plums, spices and new leather wrap around the insistent, powerful finish. Pira’s 2008 Barolo offers fabulous quality for the money."