Fenocchio
Hamilton Russell Vineyards
Hemel-en-Aarde Valley Chardonnay 2018
Double blind wine tasting. 3 Whites and 3 Reds:
1. ‘18 Hamilton Russell Chard - WOTN across both whites and reds - complex, refined, fruit integrated with honey, oak, butter, cream, camomile.
2. ‘20 Hartenberg The Eleanor Chard - big wine that could use a few years. Nice fruit and lovely acidity. Mix between a White Burg and Rhone Blend.
3. ‘22 Far Niente Chard - potential, very young, not the best QPR. Reminded me of young Paul Hobbs single vineyard Chards.
1. ‘12 Giacomo Fenocchio 90 di Riserva Barolo - aged showed through nicely, but still lively with dark cherries and ample tannins.
2. ‘20 Vilafonte - decanted, but young and an absolutely massive wine. Black fruit, chewy, with decent sweetness.
3. ‘02 Origin Red Blend - nose of black tar and cigars. Zero fruit and big tar, tobacco, and bbq flavors. Bigger wine than I was expecting.
Great night with great friends!
— a year ago
Giacomo Fenocchio
Barolo Nebbiolo 2022
The nose is textbook nebbiolo with cherry, sour cherry, tar, almond, hay, tobacco leaves, black tea and roasted pork shoulder juice 😀. The palate is rather big and bold with a strong acid drive, a dry palate through and through, some impressive width, cherry, tea and that savoury note reminiscent of the pork shoulder juice note I found on the nose. The mouthfeel is first soft and nice, with almost a sweeter touch, before a great tannic walls comes and disrupts the entire feel and triggers a rather long finish with tea, cherry, tobacco touches and again that savoury pork note. It's a lovely, not so complex nebbiolo but really well made and offering pleasure by itself or alongside dinner (we had it along chicken gizzard stew and it worked super well). — a month ago
Cascina Fontana
Barolo Del Comune Di Castiglione Falletto Nebbiolo 2016
Brought to V. Mertz from my cellar. Cascina Fontana is an ultra-traditional producer located in the commune of Castiglione Falletto; just across the border from Monforte d’Alba. The bulk of their holdings are western-facing parcels within the Mariondino MGA that were formerly part of the “Valletti Zone”. However, as an ultra-traditionalist, they only produce two Barolos and both are blends of fruit from different MGAs. One is labeled simply "Barolo" (which is a blend of fruit sourced from their holdings in both Castiglione Falletto and La Morra) and this wine, labeled under the “del Commune di Castiglione Falletto” designation. It is a blend fruit from Mariondino and the neighboring Villero MGA. Their holdings in Villero don’t suck either. Their parcels reside next to those of Vietti and Giacomo Fenocchio.
The 2016 Cascina Fontana pours a bright garnet with a transparent core; medium+ viscosity and no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with gorgeous aromas of Morello cherry, bruised strawberry, pink and white roses with freshly cut stems, crushed rock and some tar. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and savory. The texture? Simply divine. A debonair Barolo from Castiglione Falletto that paired well with Morgan Ranch wagyu tartar. Because it’s 2016 (and with a little Villero), you can drink now with patience and through…well…probably 2066. No cap. — a year ago
Giacomo Fenocchio
Bussia Barolo Nebbiolo 2020
Reddish in color with medium intensity.
Strong fruity nose and medium in body, with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate with cherries, currants, light wood, tobacco leaf, herbs, peppercorn, chocolates and earth.
Medium finish with grippy tannins and tangy cherries.
This is a very young Barolo from Piedmont. Elegant and powerful.
This Single Vineyard Nebbiolo is already drinking very nicely, and better with food.
A good quality wine that will continue to age nicely in the next 15 years.
100% Nebbiolo grapes were aged in large oak barrels for 32 months.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
91 points.
$80. — 8 months ago
Giacomo Fenocchio
Villero Barolo Nebbiolo 2020
Ruby in color with medium intensity.
Dry on the palate with nice complexity.
Showing red and black fruits with light wood, spices, coffee, herbs, dark chocolates, tobacco leaf, peppercorn and earth.
Long finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.
Easy drinking with a beautiful nose.
Young and needs a few years to mature properly, but already drinking nicely.
100% Nebbiolo grapes were aged in large oak barrels for 32 months.
91 points.
$100. — 9 months ago
Giacomo Fenocchio
Langhe Freisa 2020
First time with Freisa. At 14.5 ABV it was a bit darker and heavier than I was expecting, based on what I've read about this grape. It was still a really good bottle, though, with flavors of red and black fruit, and some clove too. Would like to try this grape again from a different producer. 100% Freisa. 6/5/23. — 2 years ago
"Odedi"
Ruby in color with a brick rim.
Beautiful nose with red and black fruits, roses, nuts, light cedar, earth, herbs, chocolates and black pepper.
Medium plus in body with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate with cherries, raspberries, spices, blueberries, plums, earth, light wood and coffee.
Long finish with grippy tannins and tangy cherries.
This is a delicious Barolo from Piedmont. Showing nice complexity with a great mouthfeel.
This Single Vineyard is still very young, but already enjoyable even by itself as a sipping wine. Elegant and robust at the same time.
Very approachable now, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years. Has good potential to become a 94+ point wine.
Will also pair very nicely with food.
100% Nebbiolo grapes were aged in large oak barrels for 32 months.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
92 points.
$60. — 20 days ago