Dec31_piedmontRev 11/27/06 3:29 PM Page 1

TASTING REPORT I P I E D M O N T

James Suckling’s Recommended From Piedmont For complete reviews, see the Buying Guide of this or previous issues or www.winespectator.com. An alphabetical listing of all wines tasted for this report begins on page 208 of this issue’s Buying Guide.

TOP WINES TOP WINES ( c o n t . ) SCORE PRICE WINE SCORE PRICE

MASSOLINO Vigna Rionda Riserva 2000 98 $90 BENI DI BATASIOLO Barolo Vigneto Bofani 2001 92 $37 Gorgeous nose of cut roses, raspberries, strawberries and Spanish Intense aromas of pressed dried flowers, with ripe strawberries cedar. Powerful yet refined tannins. Incredible structure. and plums. Full-bodied, with ultrafine tannins. ALDO CONTERNO Barolo Granbussia Riserva 2000 96 $250 BOROLI Barolo 2001 92 $43 Intense aromas of ripe fruit, sandalwood and perfumes. Lots of dried flowers and ripe strawberry aromas follow Layered ripe fruit. Gorgeous. through to a full-bodied palate, with velvety tannins. Costa Russi 2003 94 $385 GOMBA Barolo Sorì Boschetti 2001 92 $30 Plenty of fresh blackberry and cherry aromas follow through Beautiful aromas of blackberries, with hints of toasted to a full-bodied palate, with fine tannins. and cedar. Very perfumed. Long caressing finish. PRUNOTTO Barolo Bussia 2001 94 $90 Very rich aromas of crushed berries, dried flowers and lemons. Chewy tannins. TOP VA L U E S VIETTI Masseria 2003 94 $95 WINE SCORE PRICE Superfruity on the nose, with loads of raspberry and straw- berry character. New wood undertones. Fresh and powerful. COPPO d’Asti Camp du Rouss 2004 90 $19 Wonderful aromas of ripe, crushed wild berries. Full-bodied, PRODUTTORI DEL BARBARESCO Barbaresco 93 $55 with soft tannins and a long, luscious aftertaste. Pajé Riserva 2001 Bright aromas of fresh rose, raspberry and incense. Velvety COPPO White Costebianche 2005 88 $19 tannins and lots of fruit. Layered and rich. Apple pie and cream aromas and flavors. Plenty of flavor and a medium finish. Delicious. GIACOMO BORGOGNO & FIGLI Barolo Liste 2001 93 $84 Complex aromas of dried porcini, plum and cedar follow BOROLI Langhe Anna 2004 87 $12 through to a full-bodied palate, with silky tannins. Jammy, with lots of grapey berry character. Firm tannins and a medium finish. BOROLI Barolo Villero 2001 93 $60 Aromas of blackberries, meat and light earth follow through MICHELE CHIARLO Gavi 2005 87 $17 to a full-bodied palate. Caressing finish. White peach, honey and lemon aromas follow through to a medium-bodied palate, with good acidity and a lovely finish. CABUTTO Barolo Riserva del Fondatore Vigna Sarmassa 2000 93 $50 Aromas of tobacco, ripe fruit and meat. Velvety tannins and BENI DI BATASIOLO Gavi 2005 86 $14 rich aftertaste. Aromas of apples, limes and peaches, with just a hint of min- erals. Medium-bodied, with good acidity and lively fruit. CAMPÈ DELLA SPINETTA Barolo Vigneto Campè Riserva 2001 93 $300 Campè Riserva 2001 1.5L DAMILANO Arneis Langhe 2005 86 $16 Beautiful aromas of roses and ripe fruit, with hints of sandal- Mineral, lemon and green apple character. Full-bodied, with wood. Full-bodied, with some earthy, funky character. lots of fruit and a medium finish. CORINO Barolo Vecchie Vigne 2001 93 $125 MARCHESI DI GRÉSY Moscato d’Asti La Serra 2005 86 $13 Lots of blackberry, toasted oak and flowers. Velvety tannins Clean and fresh, with fresh apple and citrus character. and a long, rich finish. Medium-sweet, with a subtle froth. Crisp lemony finish. RENATO CORINO Barolo Vecchie Vigne 2001 93 $125 ICARDI Cortese Piemonte L’Aurora 2005 86 $13 Gorgeous aromas of crushed wild berries, spices and sweet to- Lemony, with a hint of cream and apple on the nose and bacco. Velvety tannins. palate. Soft-textured, fruity finish. GAJA Langhe Sorì Tildin 2003 93 $385 LA TOLEDANA Gavi 2005 86 $16 Gorgeous crushed berries, flowers and berries. Full-bodied, Aromas and flavors of dried pineapple and lemon follow with velvety tannins and a long flavorful finish. through to a medium body. Good acidity. BRUNO GIACOSA Barbaresco Asili 2001 93 $180 MICHELE CHIARLO Barbera d’Asti Le Orme 2004 85 $13 Bright plum and cedar character, with loads of underlying ripe Berry, cherry and vanilla character. Medium-bodied. fruit and rose. Wonderful balance of fruit, cedar and plum. Fresh finish. FRATELLI GIACOSA Barolo Vigna Mandorlo 2000 93 $58 PERTINACE d’Alba 2005 85 $13 Focused aromas of crushed ripe strawberries and roses. Clean and fruity, with plum flavor and hints of flowers. Full-bodied, very soft and ripe with a long finish. Medium-bodied, with a fresh floral finish. GIOVANNI MANZONE Barolo Le Gramolere Riserva 2000 93 $85 Aromas of blackberries, cherries and tobacco follow through to a full-bodied palate, with racy tannins and a long finish.