Famously called the king of Italian wines, Barolo offers a depth and richness that belie its pale complexion. Single vineyard sites are of the utmost importance, much like Burgundy. We have culled just a few of these magnificent wines to offer here. In addition, there are still some bottles of 2009 Ornellaia to be had, a 97 point gem.
2007 Poderi Rocche Manzoni Valentino Big d'Big
On Sale $59.99
The 2001 Barolo Big 'd Big is initially powerful and tarry, then turns more delicate in the glass and its layers of fruit begin to emerge. It is a superbly balanced wine with stunning length to match the opulence of its fruit. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2025.
93 points, Robert Parker
2007 Cogno Barolo Ravera
On Sale $59.99
The 2007 Barolo Ravera shows marvelous depth and richness, but is not hugely different from the Cascina Nuova, perhaps because the vintage has such a strong influence in both wines. It is a big, muscular Barolo endowed with layers of dark fruit, mocha, leather, licorice and smoke. A large, scaled dramatic finish rounds out this compelling, totally delicious Barolo. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025.
93+ points Robert Parker
2008 Damilano Barolo Cannubi
On Sale $33.99
The 2008 Barolo Cannubi emerges from the glass with freshly cut roses, sweet raspberries and spices, all supported by French oak. It is a very pretty, attractive wine with plenty of vineyard character and personality. The Cannubi is also the most feminine of the 2008s I tasted from Damilano. A silky, refined finish rounds things out in style. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2026.
92 points Robert Parker
2007 Damilano Barolo Lecinquvigne $59 cost
On Sale $72.99
The 2007 Barolo Lecinquevigne is a delicious entry-level Barolo. Sweet red cherries spices and French oak are some of the notes that waft from the glass in this supple, silky offering. Sweet hints of tobacco, cedar, candied fruit and crushed flowers linger on the round, silky finish. There is plenty of underlying structure to suggest the wine will drink well for a number of years. This is far from an easygoing entry-level Barolo. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2022.
91 points Robert Parker
2009 Tenuta del Ornellaia Ornellaia, TuscanyOn Sale $179.99
The 2009 Ornellaia caresses the palate with layers of seamless, radiant fruit. Sweet red berries, mocha, flowers, new leather and spices are some of the many notes that are layered in this sumptuous, totally beautiful wine. The 2009 stands out for its silky tannins and phenomenal overall balance. This is one of those wines that will probably enjoy a long drinking window. There is little question the ability to blend grape varieties was a huge help in this vintage. In my opinion, that is the main reason Ornellaia is a slightly more complete wine than Masseto in 2009. In one of my blind tastings, the 2009 made a very eloquent case for itself as the wine of the vintage. The blend is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. In 2009 winemaker Axel Heinz used the highest percentage of Cabernet Franc ever in Ornellaia and gave the wine less time in oak, both with the goal of preserving as much freshness as possible. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2029.
97 points The Wine Advocate
The 2009 Ornellaia caresses the palate with layers of seamless, radiant fruit. Sweet red berries, mocha, flowers, new leather and spices are some of the many notes that are layered in this sumptuous, totally beautiful wine. The 2009 stands out for its silky tannins and phenomenal overall balance. This is one of those wines that will probably enjoy a long drinking window. There is little question the ability to blend grape varieties was a huge help in this vintage. In my opinion, that is the main reason Ornellaia is a slightly more complete wine than Masseto in 2009. In one of my blind tastings, the 2009 made a very eloquent case for itself as the wine of the vintage. The blend is 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. In 2009 winemaker Axel Heinz used the highest percentage of Cabernet Franc ever in Ornellaia and gave the wine less time in oak, both with the goal of preserving as much freshness as possible. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2029.
97 points The Wine Advocate
2007 Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino
On Sale $72.99
Medium red. Reticent nose hints at red berries, marzipan and nutty oak. Fine-grained, fleshy and highly concentrated, without any undue impression of weight. Lovely sappy sweetness accentuates the wine's inner-mouth perfume. Really builds on the very long, even, sweetly tannic back end, which stains the palate with red fruits, flowers, and complex soil tones. This strikes me as more typical perfumed sangiovese than the darker, more locked-up, more obviously structrued 2006 riserva.
95 Points Stephen Tanzer
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