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Book Excerpt: Alessandro Masnaghetti’s Barolo MGA Vol. 1 – Third Edition
Italy: Piedmont, featured
, Oct 2023
In this excerpt from the third edition of his book Barolo MGA Vol. 1 - The Encyclopedia of the Great Vineyards of Barolo, Alessandro Masnaghetti shares some of his extraordinary research on the nuances and history of Barolo’s great vineyards. Beautifully illustrated, with dozens of detailed maps and graphs, the third edition is an essential resource for readers who love the great wines of Piedmont.
Bruno Giacosa Dinner at Legacy Records
Verticals & Retrospectives, Italy: Piedmont, featured
, Aug 2023
This Bruno Giacosa retrospective and dinner, part of our ten-year anniversary celebration, was a great opportunity to go back and visit a wide range of benchmark wines from one of Piedmont’s most illustrious producers. To be honest, I had a hard time narrowing the selection down to a reasonable number of wines for a single evening. I chose to focus on vintages from Giacosa’s prime, wines that remain the reference points for the estate.
Bartolo Mascarello 1955 to…from Magnum
Verticals & Retrospectives, Italy: Piedmont, featured
, Jul 2023
When it came time to decide on the Rare Wine Dinner for La Festa del Barolo in 2023, the year of our tenth anniversary, there was only one choice. Bartolo Mascarello was the first grower I met in Piedmont. Mascarello spent several hours with me that afternoon in a wide-ranging discussion that touched on politics, culture and, eventually, wine. It was an important moment, a moment in which I began to understand that the wines I loved so much were deeply shaped by the people who crafted them.
Nebbiolo Shines in Alto Piemonte, Carema & Valtellina
Italy: Piedmont, featured
, Jun 2023
It’s an exciting time to explore the small appellations that make up Northern Italy’s Alto Piemonte, Carema and Valtellina districts. There was a period, not too long ago, when many wines in these regions were either lackluster or muddled by overly pushed winemaking that obscured terroir. Outstanding wines were very much the exception rather than the rule. That has changed dramatically in recent years through a combination of dynamic young estates that have brought tremendous energy to the mix and older, more established names also raising the bar. Quite simply, I have never tasted more riveting, breathtaking wines from these appellations than I have over the last six months or so.
2019 Barolo: Back on Track
Piedmont, Italy: Piedmont, featured
, Jan 2023
After the highly problematic and uneven 2018s, Barolo bounces back with a stellar vintage in 2019 that could very well represent the beginning of a new cycle of strong, outstanding years for this historic appellation. The 2019s are potent, tightly wound wines that will thrill readers who appreciate the nuance, subtlety and structure of Nebbiolo. Today, the 2019s show elements of youthful austerity that, at times, recall vintages such as 2016, 2005 and 1999. The only thing 2019 lacks is some of the visceral excitement found in the very best years, although the top wines certainly check all the boxes.
Vinous Table: Guido Ristorante, Piedmont, Italy
Vinous Table, Italy: Piedmont
, Dec 2022
Guido Ristorante remains one of my very favorite spots in Piedmont. Food, service and hospitality are absolutely top-notch.
Piedmont Within Reach
Italy: Piedmont, featured
, Dec 2022
Piedmont is full of excitement these days, more than I have ever seen in 25 years of visiting the region. The rapid escalation of prices and dwindling availability of the region’s top wines can be discouraging, but it needn’t be, as Piedmont has so much to offer beyond the most highly coveted Barolos and Barbarescos. This report covers a wide range of wines that deliver plenty of Piedmont soul at prices that are accessible.
Focus on Barbaresco – A Close Look at 2019 & 2020
Italy: Piedmont, featured
, Oct 2022
Nebbiolo is a fascinating variety because it is so transparent, so nuanced. The essence of site, vintage and a grower’s approach all come through loud and clear. Readers will find a number of gorgeous wines in both 2019 and 2020, but these vintages require careful selection, as they are somewhat inconsistent. That said, Barbaresco remains a terrific hunting ground for wines of place that in most cases remain very reasonably priced in today's world.
The 2018 Barolos, Part 2
Italy: Piedmont, featured
, Oct 2022
Two thousand and eighteen remains a mixed vintage that reflects the challenges of a growing season marked by heavy spring rains, intense summer heat and unbalanced weather during the final phase of ripening. There are some gorgeous 2018s out there, but finding them will take a bit of work. The best 2018s are beautifully perfumed, mid-weight Barolos that will drink well early.
2021 Barolo en Primeur Charity Auction
Italy: Piedmont, featured
, Sep 2022
I am delighted to once again host the Barolo en Primeur Charity Auction, being held simultaneously in New York City and Grinzane Cavour on Friday, October 28 at 12pm New York time and 6pm Piedmont time. This is a rare opportunity to acquire 2021 Barolo ahead of release. Some of the lots will be sold as single barrels, as they were last year, while others are collections of smaller lots from various producers, organized by village. All the wines will be adorned with special labels designed by artist Michelangelo Pistoletto.