Friday Sips
Friday Tasting Wines
'DOLCETTO & BARBERA'
2020 NADA FIORENZO
BARBERA D'ALBA
[reg. $36.99]
SPECIAL - $26.99 BTL./$161.94 - 6 PK
BARBERA D'ALBA
[reg. $36.99]
SPECIAL - $26.99 BTL./$161.94 - 6 PK
Danilo Nada is one of the young superstars of Barbaresco. Based in Treiso, wines across the board at this four thousand case estate are breathtaking. Along with four Barbaresco, one Barbera is produced, and it is a mighty version indeed.
Nada’s Barbera is from a top Grand Cru site called Rombone. At age five, this is gaining Barbaresco aromas yet with Barbera lavishness. Evocative aromas of licorice, strawberries, camphor, dusty earth and late-arriving blackberries and balsamico notes. Texturally, it is seamless Barbera; plentiful, mouth-crawling and impressively put together, especially on the sprawling finish. A definite step-up from everyday Barbera, and at age five this is so full of breadth and will continue its progression for another 5-7 more years.
Nada’s Barbera is from a top Grand Cru site called Rombone. At age five, this is gaining Barbaresco aromas yet with Barbera lavishness. Evocative aromas of licorice, strawberries, camphor, dusty earth and late-arriving blackberries and balsamico notes. Texturally, it is seamless Barbera; plentiful, mouth-crawling and impressively put together, especially on the sprawling finish. A definite step-up from everyday Barbera, and at age five this is so full of breadth and will continue its progression for another 5-7 more years.
2024 OLIM BAUDA
BARBERA D'ASTI 'LA VILLA'
$16.99 BTL./$101.94 - 6 PK
BARBERA D'ASTI 'LA VILLA'
$16.99 BTL./$101.94 - 6 PK
For almost fifteen years we have had been smitten with Olim Bauda’s wines and that includes their underestimated La Villa Barbera. When I visited last year, Gianni and Dino Bertolino treated us to bottles of older wines, and we tasted them blind. One of two magnums served, I recognized it as being unoaked and said it as La Villa and I sort of was correct. I knew it was unoaked but thought it was from 2013 or 2016. It was 2004 and back then was labeled just ‘Barbera D’Asti’ and at age twenty, it was shockingly brilliant.
Sadly, we do not have a twenty-year-old version to taste or offer but the new 2024 is quite appealing. Equilibrium is very evident. Raspberry with hints of underbrush, rose and mineral emerging. The texture is stimulating and satisfying. Harmoniously hearty, vibrant possessing a succulent finish, it is perfect with pasta dishes with meat sauce, roasted chicken, medium aged pecorino, sausage pizza and more.
Sadly, we do not have a twenty-year-old version to taste or offer but the new 2024 is quite appealing. Equilibrium is very evident. Raspberry with hints of underbrush, rose and mineral emerging. The texture is stimulating and satisfying. Harmoniously hearty, vibrant possessing a succulent finish, it is perfect with pasta dishes with meat sauce, roasted chicken, medium aged pecorino, sausage pizza and more.
2023 PAOLO SCAVINO
DOLCETTO D'ALBA
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
DOLCETTO D'ALBA
$19.99 BTL./$239.88 CASE
91 Points – The Wine Spectator…The excellence from Paolo Scavino stretches from their top Barolo wines to this delicious Dolcetto that comes from seventy-year-old vines.
From the Barolo Cru Bricco Ambroggio, Scavino Dolcetto is truly the easy decision red that makes everyone at the table happy. Flavors and aromas of dark flowers, dark chocolate-raspberry, underlying graphite and dusty earth stand out. Always flexible with food, drink with hearty fare such as baked macaroni and Fontina cheese laced with prosciutto or marinated pork loin with mushroom preparations.
From the Barolo Cru Bricco Ambroggio, Scavino Dolcetto is truly the easy decision red that makes everyone at the table happy. Flavors and aromas of dark flowers, dark chocolate-raspberry, underlying graphite and dusty earth stand out. Always flexible with food, drink with hearty fare such as baked macaroni and Fontina cheese laced with prosciutto or marinated pork loin with mushroom preparations.
2023 LUIGI GIORDANO
DOLCETTO D'ALBA
$17.99 BTL./$107.94 - 6 PK
DOLCETTO D'ALBA
$17.99 BTL./$107.94 - 6 PK
Located in Barbaresco, Luigi Giordano is one of the spiritual cardinals of traditional winemaking in the region and this extends to their wines that other than Nebbiolo.
This is a dreamy Dolcetto. It is red and not purple (we are in Barbaresco, not Dogliani) and may be served at room temperature or chilled. A classic red wine for the whole meal with a red-ruby color, penetrating aromatics slight spicy-earth note. Soulful, yet smooth, fresh and balanced, with the bursting aftertaste typical of Dolcetto. Think of a mostly well-behaved dog who out of nowhere steals your slice of pizza. Speaking of which, this wine pairs very well with New York style pizza, tempura zucchini, steak or tuna tartare, cheeseburgers, or a penne Bolognese.
This is a dreamy Dolcetto. It is red and not purple (we are in Barbaresco, not Dogliani) and may be served at room temperature or chilled. A classic red wine for the whole meal with a red-ruby color, penetrating aromatics slight spicy-earth note. Soulful, yet smooth, fresh and balanced, with the bursting aftertaste typical of Dolcetto. Think of a mostly well-behaved dog who out of nowhere steals your slice of pizza. Speaking of which, this wine pairs very well with New York style pizza, tempura zucchini, steak or tuna tartare, cheeseburgers, or a penne Bolognese.
