95-97 Point Wines

wines

The 2021 Barolo Ginestra Casa Matè is fabulous. Bright and transparent, with captivating depth, the 2021 is a stunning beauty. Enveloping balsamic notes make a strong opening statement that remains a theme here. Blue/purplish fruit, lavender, spice and blood orange all come alive in the glass. What a wine!Vinous Media | 97 VMThe 2021 Barolo Ginestra Casa Mate displays a bit more ruby and deeper pigment in the glass and has notes of raspberry liqueur, sweet sage, pressed flowers, cedar, and licorice. It’s very pretty on the nose and carries more sapidity to the palate while also retaining lovely purity, with ripe tannins, slightly broader shoulders, and a long finish. Both of the Barolo have a tremendous amount to offer, but with distinctive personalities, and for my taste, this one has a slight edge. (I also wouldn’t be surprised if that were to flip with a different mood and tasting.) The perfumes of both the wines are exceptional in this fantastic vintage. Drink 2027-2057.Jeb Dunnuck | 97 JDA complex Barolo with a layered nose of licorice, vibrant red cherries, blood oranges, sweet violets and earthy minerality. Full-bodied, it shows elegance of extraction with red fruit flavors, freshness and integration. Velvety and savory tannins with excellent length. Try from 2026.James Suckling | 96 JSJust 300m away from Gavarini Chiniera, Casa Matè sits slightly lower, between 300 to 350m. Characterised by richer clay soil and full south exposure, it is always the first to bud and to be picked, usually 10 days earlier than Gavarini Chiniera. Intense aromas of liquorice, bay leaf and rosemary make for a pungent introduction. Laden with dark cherry and black raspberry, the palate is luscious on the entry, becoming more rigid as virile, commanding tannins take hold. Remarkably balanced in its girth, power and concentration.Decanter Magazine | 95 DEC

This wine represents a blend of fruit from various sites, and 15,000 bottles were created. Showing a classical profile, the E. Pira e Figli - Chiara Boschis 2021 Barolo Via Nuova delivers a firm sense of inner fiber and richness with dark blueberry and black fruit. These aromas are enhanced by ethereal tones of blue flower and aniseed. The tannins are slightly more approachable in this wine compared to the Mosconi, but the intensity and richness of the mouthfeel is about the same.Robert Parker Wine Advocate | 96 RPThe 2021 Barolo Via Nuova is a gorgeous, poised wine . Bright and energetic, with tons of drive, the 2021 has so much to offer. Brisk acids and veins of tannin shape this dynamic mid-weight Barolo. Blood orange, plum, chalk and rose petal are some of the many notes that come alive with aeration. The Via Nuova is a gorgeous wine in the making, but it needs a few years to be at its most expressive.Vinous Media | 96 VMA fleshy, vibrant red, featuring cherry, plum, green olive, iron, tar and tobacco flavors. There’s intensity and viscosity midpalate, while the aftertaste stretches out, echoing the fruit, savory and mineral components. Shows superb balance and length; this just needs time. Best from 2029 through 2048. 375 cases made, 150 cases imported.Wine Spectator | 96 WSA lifted and energetic Barolo, the 2021 Barolo Via Nuovais boasts a jeweled ruby color and has a fantastic, balanced nose with notes of ripe peaches, sweet sandalwood, floral perfume, and wild strawberries. Medium-bodied, the palate is refreshing and focused, with vibrant acidity, finely coiled tannins, and a long and linear finish. It has a bit more open feel at this stage, but it should have solid aging potential and improve over the next 20 or more years.Jeb Dunnuck | 96 JDAn intense Barolo with aromas of Parma violets, cinnamon, restrained blood oranges, cherries and licorice. Incredibly precise and defined. Full-bodied on the powerful and graceful palate, with velvety tannins and refreshing, lifted acidity. A lot of substance, with a crunchy style and balance. Long, licorice aftertaste. Best after 2027.James Suckling | 96 JS

In 2022, the estate will only be producing a small quantity of the single-vineyard Riservas, with the majority of fruit going into the 2022 Barbaresco. It pours a jeweled ruby red color and reveals a seductive yet very pure nose of cherry cordial, crushed roses, sweet herbs, and peppery spice. Medium-bodied, it has supple ripeness in the fruit yet wonderful clarity in its tannins and acidity, giving the wine excellent definition and balance. Roughly 133,333 bottles were produced. Drink 2026-2050.Jeb Dunnuck | 95 JDViolet, rose and dried herb scents over black cherry, raspberry and a touch of tar. Medium-bodied yet firm on the palate, its succulent red fruits are framed by fine tannins and fresh acidity. The clean and persistent finish shows floral, red-fruit and mineral nuances.Decanter Magazine | 94 DECBright and overtly fruity, this is full of intoxicating violets, cinnamon, blood oranges and black cherries, expressing mint and balsamic depth. Full-bodied with a soft, smooth attack, dusty yet velvety tannins and brilliant acidity. The chocolaty finish shows licorice and a mouth-coating texture. Delicious and balanced. Drink or hold.James Suckling | 94 JSThe straight 2022 Barbaresco from Produttori del Barbaresco is fragrant and refined, with aromas of blue flower, red berry, citrus and a balsamic whiff of eucalyptus. Surprisingly fresh and juicy for the hot, extremely dry vintage, it boasts flavors of tart red cherry, orange zest and star anise alongside taut, refined tannins that leave some grip on the finish. Drink through 2030. Abv: 14.5% Kerin O’Keefe | 94 KOThe 2022 Barbaresco is a pretty rich, heady wine. Dark cherry/plum fruit, cloves, licorice and mocha build as the 2022 shows off its considerable depth. This is one of the few 2022s that is quite resonant texturally. The aromatics could be more lifted and the tannins could use a bit more polish, but those qualities were next to impossible to come by in 2022. The inclusion of some juice from Riserva lots is a great help. All things considered, this is a stellar showing.Vinous Media | 93 VMPacked with cherry and raspberry flavors, this red is round and succulent, with a fleshy profile and a solid base of tannins. Mineral and menthol accents add depth, and the finish is fresh and long. Best from 2028 through 2042. 25,000 cases made, 600 cases imported.Wine Spectator | 93 WS