Bob McDonald

9.5

Pale to mid Ruby. A sooty earthy savoury red fruited note with raspberry and new leather. The palate is reserved yet with M+ intensity. Delicate yet assertive. Still very fresh for its age. Elegant with enough palate weight to make it totally enjoyable. Benjamin Leroux was the winemaker who has gone on to more accolades with his own label. Jasper Morris thought that this was the best wine made by Benjamin Leroux during his 14 year tenure at Domaine du Comte Armand. Would go on for several more years if you were lucky enough to be holding some. Pommard is another commune which has no Grand Crus but this must be one of the best Premier Crus. I concur with Jasper Morris MW when he had a bottle of this very wine with friends when he said “we were very sad to finish the bottle “. My son Hugh bought this wine for me from Sotheby’s NY in December 2013 and brought it home in his luggage for Christmas that year and I am so glad he did. This is one of the 1001 Wines. — 2 months ago

Tooty Frooty

9.3

Bara väldigt classy. #systemet #småpartierna #hejtomtegubbar — a year ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Splash decanted immediately prior to service; enjoyed over the course of several hours. “Acclivi” is a blend of selected fruit from several MGA’s in the commune of Verduno, including fruit from some of their prized holdings in Monvigliero as well as Boscotto, Neirane and Rocche dell’Olmo (which is an MGA that is no longer bottled on its own by any producer).

The 2017 pours a pretty, light garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with loads of roses, pomegranate, cranberry, talcum powder, exotic spices, pastilles, orange rind and dry gravely earth. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and acid that only seems to build over an hour of air.

Over the last 20 years, there have been few vintages with less love than 2017. There were significant issues related to frost in the Spring and the vines had to deal with a very hot growing season. Yet, despite these challenges, Fabio was able to nurture an ethereal beauty which only gains power and grace as the hours roll by. Effortlessly elegant. Drink now with lots of patience (air) and through 2042. I would not decant or you’ll miss parts of the ride. — 2 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Damilano – Lecinquevigne Barolo – 2016
Barolo DOCG – Piemonte, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
A classic, elegant Barolo from Damilano, sourced from multiple vineyards across the Barolo commune (“Lecinquevigne” = five vineyards). 100% Nebbiolo, expressing a refined, traditional profile with precision rather than brute force. The 2016 vintage delivers clarity, balance, and aromatic purity, an excellent example of Barolo with both structure and charm.

Aromas & Flavors
Beautifully expressive bouquet of rose petals, dried cherry, tart red berries, orange peel, and subtle spice. The aromatic profile remains lifted and graceful through the glass, maintaining freshness and definition until the last sip.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with vibrant acidity and finely knit tannins. Elegant, linear, and well-proportioned. After ~45 minutes of decanting, the wine opens nicely, gaining aromatic depth and textural harmony without losing its Nebbiolo-driven tension.

Food Pairings
Ideal with braised meats, mushroom-based dishes, truffle pasta, veal, or aged hard cheeses. Also compelling with savory, umami-driven plates.

Verdict
A very well-made, classic Barolo that emphasizes elegance and aromatic finesse over power. The 2016 vintage shines here, offering balance, poise, and a clear expression of Nebbiolo’s signature “rose and tart” character.

Did You Know?
Lecinquevigne is Damilano’s interpretation of a multi-vineyard Barolo, designed to showcase the broader Barolo terroir while maintaining consistency and approachability, especially in strong vintages like 2016.

🍷 Personal Pick Highlight
Graceful and expressive rather than imposing. After a short decant, this Barolo truly comes alive, floral, tart, and polished. A refined take on Nebbiolo that rewards patience and attention. — 3 months ago

Andy@andyberke.com

9.0

Really light for a barolo. Great with our food. With the family in Italy — 8 months ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.5

2010 vintage. Technically a Barsac, but sold as Sauternes ( Barsac being the only Sauternes commune allowed to do so). Much deeper, more evolved colour compared to the 2010 Guiraud (in half bottle!) tasted alongside. Intense perfume with wild apricot, roasted pineapple, and caramelised nuts. Richer than the Guiraud, this is a very impressive effort that is definitely of Cru Classé quality. Superb value too. — a year ago

Ming L

9.3

Exuding power and beauty at this age. Need another 5-8 years to integrate and to show the graceful side befitting of the label.
From the lesser know commune of Grinzane Cavour, the ‘09 spent 24 months in French oak barrels, 70% new. — 2 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Aldo Vaira took control of family vineyards in 1968, he was just 15 years old. Today, G.D. Vajra consists of 150 acres, mostly around the commune of Barolo. Ruby with a rich bouquet of fruit, spices & floral notes, fruit from several vineyards, aged 26 months in Slavonian oak. On the palate flavors of cherry & raspberry with notes of pepper, cinnamon & floral, slight earthy notes. Long finish, nice balance with fine soft tannins ending with earthy floral notes. Enjoyable now, a few more years will benefit. — 4 months ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of four hours. The 2021 Bricco Ambrogio pours a deep garnet color with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with a mix of tart and ripe, mostly red fruits: Morello cherry, strawberry Jolly Ranchers, pomegranate, lingonberries, a whole freaking rose bush, dehydrated orange, tar, talcum powder, dry gravelly, earth, and a gentle mix of cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. At this point, I’m convinced that the Scavino’s are making the most interesting Barolo from the Roddi commune and they have nearly single-handedly put Bricco Ambrogio on the map. Drink now with patience and through 2061. — 6 months ago

Daron Watson

9.3

“Ana’s-Cëtta” is the white #Nascetta wine by @elviocogno who helped bring the variety back from near extinction in the 1990s in the commune of Novello, #Langhe, #Piedmont.

The 2022 delivers aromas of honeysuckle, white peach, verbena and Mediterranean herbs. Apple, pear, quince and pineapple flavors then come into play. This quickly followed by a waxy texture, balanced by lime zest, with notions of crushed minerals on the finish.

The winery suggests it is “ideal as an accompaniment to vegetable dishes, white meats, raw fish, oysters and creamy cheeses.” Maybe not as ideal, but paired with rigatoni, sausage and fennel allowed some contrast to expose and heighten many of the sensations…BRAVO! — 2 years ago