Premier Cru - Italian Wine RSS/RDF Feed http://www.premiercru.net/premier/jsp/xml/premiercruitalian.php 95 points Parker's WA: "The estate?s 2004 Cepparello (100% Sangiovese aged in French oak, 1/3 new) was made from minuscule yields of just 600 grams per plant and is even better than the 2003. It exhibits a livelier color, fresher aromatics and a nuanced personality, all the products of a more balanced growing season. It boasts layers of vibrant fruit intermingled with subtle mineral and licorice notes, showing outstanding length on the palate and fine, noble tannins. A wine of extraordinary elegance, it has been stunning on the two occasions I have tasted it so far. That said, readers who want to experience this wine?s full array of tertiary notes will have to give this wine time to mature in the bottle. It is highly recommended. Anticipated maturity 2009-2022." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=38176 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=38173 97 points Parker's WA: "Voerzio?s 2004 Barolo Brunate captures the telltale balsamic notes of this justly famous site with gorgeous suggestions of mint, tobacco and licorice wrapped around an expressive, authoritative core of plush dark plums, prunes and black cherries. This dark, brooding Barolo finishes with big, building tannins that will require patience. A bottle of the 1997 I tasted alongside it had developed a flavor profile eerily similar to that of a 1991 Jaboulet Hermitage La Chapelle I tasted a few days prior. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=38183 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=36563 96 points Parker's WA: "The 2004 Barolo Le Vigne is a phenomenal effort. Sweet, long and pure, it reveals an expansive core of perfumed ripe red fruit, flowers and spices. Despite its notable concentration it is made in a restrained style, showing remarkable elegance as well as harmony, with superb length and finessed tannins on the close. Le Vigne is made from the Ceretta, Vignane, Merli and Conterni vineyards. I have tasted the wines from these plots separately on many occasions. Curiously, I have never been particularly impressed by any of the wines on their own, yet when they are blended the results can be extraordinary, as is the case with the sublime 2004 Le Vigne. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2019." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=38131 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=38919 91 points Tanzer: "Good deep red. Liqueur-like redcurrant and sour cherry candy on the nose, with woodsy and peppery nuances. Sweet, concentrated and powerful, with a more obvious tannic spine than the 2000. Finishes firm and impressively long." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=33969 Robert Parker has rated the 2004 vintage in Piedmont a whopping 96 points!!! http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=37529 93 points Parker's WA: "The 2001 Barolo Vigna Rionda, an attractive dark ruby, shows its pedigree, with a beautiful nose of spices and menthol. It is concentrated yet silky on the palate, revealing elegant notes of dark, backward fruit, licorice, tar, chocolate and minerals, with an exquisitely long finish. I find it more understated and nuanced than the Marenca. Aged in 100% new barriques. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2019." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=36312 97 points Thomases (Wine Advocate): "The 2001 Messorio, 100% Merlot, is not quite at the level of the 1997, one of the most perfect wines ever made in Tuscany, but it is pure sumptuousness and volume from start to finish. Perfectly ripe and sweet, dense and voluminous but, oh, so velvety, an unending cascade of ravishing, spicy fruit, this is Tuscan Merlot at its best and another wine with two decades of life ahead." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=34363 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=GW038 95 points Parker: "The multidimensional 1998 Barolo Le Vigne possesses huge layers of black cherry fruit infused with rose petals, tar, balsam wood, mineral, and subtle new oak notes. Full-bodied, awesomely concentrated, and extraordinarily pure, this exquisite, youthful Barolo will be at its prime between 2004-2020." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=13856 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=37851 98 points Spectator: "Very, very ripe fruit, with strawberries and plums galore. Turns to Indian spices and cedar. Full-bodied, with an exquisite palate of utlraripe tannins that turn to velvet. Long, long finish. Cashmere. Great from barrel, great from bottle. This is the best Bric dėl Fiasc ever. Best after 2010. 875 cases made. (JS)" http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=30295 97 points Wine Spectator: "Freshly cut roses on the nose. Extraordinary. Hints of ripe, red fruits. Full-bodied, with a wonderful balance of of tannins and ripe fruit. Long and caressing. Subtle and refined, yet builds on the palate. A wine with great raciness." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=30408 95 points Spectator: "Boy, this is beautiful to smell! Fresh-picked strawberries and cherries, with just the right amount of cloves. Hints of prunes. Full-bodied, with soft and round tannins and a long fresh-fruit finish. Goes on and on. Hard not to drink this. This is a blend taken from various sites in the Barolo and Monforte d'Alba areas. Best after 2005." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=30238 95 points Parker's WA: "The estate?s 2001 Barolo Bric del Fiasc is a massive and strapping Barolo with an exciting nose of sweet ripe fruit, licorice, tar and mint. This deeply colored, masculine, full-bodied Barolo is packed with layers of dense backward dark fruit, prune, plum and macerated cherry flavors, with a distinctly mentholated note that gives it a sense of freshness and balance. It finishes with huge tannins which suggest patience will be required. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2021." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=38290 95 points Wine Spectator: "Intense aromas of licorice, berries and tobacco with just a hint of citrus. Full-bodied, with an excellent intensity of fruit and a long, silky finish. Juicy and rich. Always classic in a top year. Best after 2008. 400 cases imported. ?J.S." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=32670 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=36311 96 points Wine Spectator: "Fabulous aromas of blackberry, cherry, meat and dried flowers. Full-bodied, with masses of velvety tannins and loads of fruit. This is a blockbuster. This shows fabulous everything. Very close to the legendary 1999. Best after 2010.-- J.S." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=33861 95 points Thomases (Wine Advocate): "The 2001 Scrio, 100% Syrah, with an expressive and expansive nose of blackberry fruit, cured meat, mint, and vanilla, is equally important on the palate, round and concentrated and with a warm, dense, and substantial finish. Drink: 2006-2018." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=34368 95 points Thomases (Wine Advocate): "The 2001 Castello di Terriccio is quite an unusual wine, a blend of grapes planted initially on an experimental basis such as Syrah, Mourvedre, and Petit Verdot. Packed, intense, and superbly long, the wine offers a nose and palate of plums, raisins, underbrush, and truffles, powerfully concentrated but velvet-textured flavors, and a richness and breadth which virtually line and upholster the taste buds. Judging the aging potential of wine like this, entirely original in blend and produced for the first time, is something of a hazard, but two decades would seem to be the minimum." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=34546 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=36849 92 points Parker's WA: "Sandrone?s 2003 Barolo Cannubi Boschis reveals smoke, tar, licorice and dark plums with superb balance and a vibrant, engaging personality. Made in a sweeter, richer style than Le Vigne, its notable depth and well-integrated tannins make it one of the vintage?s successes. I have a slight preference for Le Vigne over Cannubi Boschis today but both wines are among the finest in this vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2019." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=38153 96 points Spectator: "Offers fabulous aromas of blueberry and lilac. Full-bodied, with a solid core of ripe fruit and round, caressing tannins. This is deep and concentrated, yet wonderfully balanced. Superb. The best Conteisa after 2000. Best after 2010." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=37843 93 points Parker's WA: "The 2003 Barolo Le Vigne may have a slight edge over the Cannubi Boschis in this vintage, as the ability to blend fruit from various microclimates was a big advantage. It is a full-bodied, soft-textured Barolo with lively color and plenty of ripe red fruit, menthol and spices. This is an especially fresh, vibrant wine for the vintage, with tannins that are particularly refined." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=38152 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=35397 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=35398 96 points Parker: "The estate-s 2004 Barolo Bric del Fiasc is another awesome wine. Initially linear on entry, it explodes on the palate with a compelling array of dark fruit, smoke, tar, licorice, new leather, plums and baking spices. Although Bric del Fiasc is typically a wine that relies on power, the 2004 is notably refined and elegant, with sweet silky tannins that support the fruit from start to finish. Simply put, this is a remarkable wine from Enrico Scavino. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2022." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=38165 94 points Parker's WA: "Scavino?s 2004 Barolo Carobric comes across as classic in its expression of violets, black cherries, minerals and sweet toasted oak. It too offers gorgeous inner sweetness to its fruit, but it is more focused and less concentrated than the other 2004 Barolos. This is a beautifully proportioned, vibrant Barolo that is sure to find many admirers. Carobric is made from a blend of Rocche di Castiglione, Bric del Fiasc and Cannubi This bottling has often suffered an identity crisis among the single-vineyard wines in the lineup but in recent years its personality has gradually begun to show its potential. The 2004 is a terrific effort. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2024." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=38163 97 points Parker's WA: "The 2004 Barolo Cerequio has been nothing short of profound on the four previous occasions I have tasted it and it is equally superb now that it is in bottle. It flows from the glass with a beautiful, pure expression of roses, flowers, sweet spices and ripe red fruit. This richly-textured, sumptuous Barolo literally shimmers with fruit from start to finish. The glorious, complete 2004 Cerequio is a superb effort from the inspired Roberto Voerzio. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=38185 94 points Parker's WA: "The 2004 Barolo La Serra reveals a generous personality in its dark red fruit with notable depth and richness that carries through to the persistent, sweet finish. With air, floral notes develop to round out this particularly multi-dimensional, full-bodied and beautiful La Serra. 2004 is a great vintage for this wine, which can sometimes be austere. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2022." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=38184 94 points Parker's WA: "The 2004 Barolo Mosconi is the first release from this south-facing vineyard in Monforte, which the estate controls through a long-term lease. It is an impressively endowed, full-bodied Barolo with a multitude of tar, smoke, mocha, vanilla, mint and sweet dark fruit flavors that coat the palate with superb depth and persistence. As is usually the case with Barolos from this site, the wine is made in a distinctly powerful style that emphasizes fruit at the slight expense of aromatic complexity. That notwithstanding, it is a compelling Barolo. In 2004 the Mosconi contains fruit from only the oldest vines. A parcel the estate replanted will be added to the wine in forthcoming vintages. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=38187 94 points Parker's WA: "Clerico-s 2004 Barolo Pajana is an explosive wine loaded with layers of deeply spiced dark fruit. It is a notably pure, focused version of this wine that is totally compelling for its overall balance. The south-facing Pajana vineyard tends to give a more fruit-driven style of Barolo but the 2004 is a beautifully complete wine. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2024." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=38244 96 points Parker's WA: "Voerzio?s 2004 Barolo Rocche dell?Annunziata/Torriglione is a stunning effort. It bursts from the glass with soaring aromatics that lead to a beautifully articulated core of red fruit, sweet spices and mint that is buttressed by finessed, silky tannins that caress the palate. This long, pure Barolo combines the feminine qualities of Cerequio with the structure of Brunate in a compelling, breathtaking glass of wine. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=38186 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=38571 95 points Parker's WA: "There is no need to taste the 2004 Barolo Romirasco, the nose alone is enough to understand that this is magnificent wine. Aromas of tar, roses, menthol, scorched earth and smoke lead to a core of dark red fruit than unfolds onto the palate with uncommon grace and elegance. As it sits in the glass the wine gradually puts on weight, filling out its considerably structured frame with notable class. The last Romirasco was made in 1993. This bottling has typically only been made in vintages where quality is not sufficient for the family to make their top of the line Riserva Granbussia, as was the case in 2004, when the Cicala vineyard was damaged by hail. Conterno told me is so happy with this wine he will probably bottle a small quantity going forward to see how it develops. It will be fascinating to taste future Romirascos next to the Granbussias of the same vintage to evaluate how a single-vineyard wine from what many consider to be one of Bussia?s greatest vineyards compares to the Granbussia blend. Conterno expects to price the Romirasco at the same level or slightly more than the Colonnello. If that turns out to be the case, this will be a superb relative value as well. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2024." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=38570 http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=38291 96 points Parker's WA: "Conterno-Fantino have once again produced one of the vintage?s finest wines with their stunning 2004 Barolo Sori Ginestra, which is just as impressive in bottle as it has been on the several occasions I have tasted it from barrel. This explosive, heady Barolo bursts onto the palate with seamless layers of ripe dark fruit, black cherries, menthol, cinnamon, pine and minerals, revealing profound depth and richness. It offers superb length, gorgeous, sweet tannins and a finish that lasts forever. Although it is a surprisingly accessible Sori Ginestra at this stage, I expect it will close down at some point in the near future. Readers who have an opportunity to taste this wine in the next few months should not hesitate to do so. This is a remarkable Barolo in every way. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=38284 94 points Parker's WA: "Conterno?s 2004 Barolo Colonnello reveals a core of ripe dark cherries and a beautifully layered, sweet personality with superb length and a refined, fresh finish. With air the wine?s perfumed, spiced qualities emerge to complete this terrific effort. The Colonnello vineyard lies on the Monforte border with Barolo, with which it shares several attributes. A higher percentage of sand in Colonnello gives the wine its signature aromatics and refined tannins. This is an especially successful vintage for this wine. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2019." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=38569 93 points Parker's WA: "Conterno-Fantino's 2004 Barolo Vigna del Gris offers an enticing array of floral aromatics that lead to sensations of candied cherries, small red fruits, spices and marzipan. With air, this sensual, feminine Barolo opens to reveal notable inner perfume and superb length. As is usually the case, the wine doesn-t quite have the stuffing to balance its tannins and it does dry out just a bit on the finish, but it is nevertheless a gorgeous, gorgeous wine. In 2004 Vigna del Gris contains fruit from both old vines and a recently re-planted section of the vineyard. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2019." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=38285 91 points Parker's WA: "Aldo Conterno?s 2004 Barolo is simply beautiful. A medium red, it presents a feminine expression of Nebbiolo in its perfumed, spiced red raspberries and cherries. This is a soft, accessible Barolo ideal for near and mid-term drinking that fully captures the essence of this great vintage. Beginning with the 2004 vintage, this wine includes fruit from 15-year-old vines in Colonnello, a vineyard with sandier soils that lies on the border with Barolo. In the past this fruit was used for the Langhe Favot but now it makes up about 30% of the blend for the Barolo. As a result this bottling now carries the Barolo designation rather than the Barolo Bussia name which was used for previous vintages. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2019." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=38568 94 points Tanzer's IWC: "Good full ruby. Richer and even more minerally on the nose than the '04 Rancia, offering plenty of orange zest, lily and pleasantly tart red cherry aromas. Lush, very ripe red fruit flavors and a salty edge give this immediate appeal, but make it a bit less refined than the Rancia in '04. The tannins, though, are smoother and slide effortlessly along the very long finish." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=37850 97 points Spectator: "Shows a very ripe nose, with rose, berry and hints of meat. Full-bodied and powerful, with chewy tannins and a long, long finish. Massive yet balanced. What a wine. The greatest Saffredi ever made. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Alicante. Better than previously reviewed. Best after 2012." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=38327 92 points Parker's WA: "Nice, fresh, enticing aromatics waft upwards as the 2005 Giusto di Notri opens in the glass, revealing a full-bodied, supple personality imbued with an attractive warmth in its expression of blueberries, spices, mocha, minerals and toasted oak. Though a smaller-scaled Giusto di Notri in relative terms, the supple texture and caressing, generous qualities are those of a first-class wine. Giusto di Notri is primarily Cabernet Sauvignon, with some Merlot and Cabernet Franc included. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2022." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=36562 90 points Parker's WA: "The 2005 Perlato del Bosco (65% Sangiovese, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon) is a finessed, elegant version of this wine. Perfumed aromatics and lively minerality buffer a core of sweet, dark fruit. In keeping with the personality of the vintage, this is a somewhat linear Perlato del Bosco, but it offers outstanding harmony and plenty of style. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2015." http://www.premiercru.net/premier/shop/WineDetails.do?wineId=36561