Critics Ratings

Conterno Fantino Sori Ginestra 2001

‘Pure crushed berries and plums, with just a hint of wood and fresh mushroom. Full-bodied and compacted, with loads of rich fruit and big, velvety tannins. Gorgeous wine. Huge concentration, yet balanced. Greatest wine ever from here and the wine of the vintage. Best after 2009.’ - James Suckling, Wine Spectator, 99/100 (Oct 2005)

‘The estate's Barolo Sorì Ginestra is the wine it is most famous for and the 2001 has been full of promise since I first tasted it from barrel in March 2004. The darkest of the three wines, it displays a classic Ginestra nose of menthol, pine, underbrush, spices and minerals. This superbly balanced and refined Barolo offers intense dark cherry fruit, with tremendous sustain and persistence. Notes of tar and menthol become more pronounced as the wine sits in the glass. It is perhaps even more impressive than it was when I last tasted it a year ago. A great effort.’ - Antonio Galloni, Vinous, 95/100 (Oct 2006)

Fratelli Revello Vigna Gattera 2001

‘A silky and seductive young wine, with plums, cedar and perfume on the nose and palate. Full-bodied and caressing, with a long, long finish. Beautiful and subtle. What's not to like about this? I like this as much as the 2000. Best after 2007.’ - James Suckling, Wine Spectator, 95/100 (Oct 2005)

‘The 2001 Barolo Gattera comes across as big, rich and imposing. Dark red cherries, spices and plums are all supported by firm, insistent tannins. There is no danger of the Gattera going over the hill anytime soon. It is beautiful today and should remain highly attractive for a number of years.’ - Antonio Galloni, Vinous, 93/100 (Apr 2012)

Azelia San Rocco 2001

‘Very concentrated and complex on the nose with blackberry, dark chocolate and toasted oak aromas. Full-bodied and very ripe, with loads of fruit and a long, caressing finish. A powerful and rich wine. Builds on the palate. Best after 2009.’ - James Suckling, Wine Spectator, 95/100 (Oct 2005)

‘Here it is the Serralunga muscle and grip that informs the wine to a great degree. Tar, smoke, leather and plums wrap around the intense, virile finish. The 2001 San Rocco is young, young, young. What a great showing!’ - Antonio Galloni, Vinous, 94+/100 (Apr 2012)

Domenico Clerico Ciabot Mentin Ginestra 2001

‘Aromas of blackberries and licorice with hints of oak. Full-bodied, with velvety tannins and lots of ripe fruit as well as smoky oak. A rich and very long wine. A massive beauty. Best after 2008.’ - James Suckling, Wine Spectator, 96/100 (Oct 2005)

‘Exotic, exhilarating aromas of sappy red berry liqueur and woodsmoke. Wonderfully sweet on entry, then superripe and liqueur-like in the middle palate, with an utterly suave texture over firm supporting spine. Finishes impressively long and sweet, with serious but noble tannins. There's nothing especially austere or forbidding about this extremely rich Barolo.’ - Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, 94/100 (Nov 2004)

Giacomo Grimaldi Le Coste 2001

‘Wonderful aromas of plums, tobacco and Indian spices. Full-bodied, with a fabulous intensity of fruit and big, silky tannins. Goes on and on. Massive wine. This is superb. As great as 2000. Best after 2008. 300 cases made.’ - James Suckling, Wine Spectator, 96/100 (Oct 2005)

Manzone Riserva Le Gramolere 2001

‘Gorgeous aromas of ripe fruit, spices and light cedar. Full-bodied, with silky tannins and a long finish. This is balanced and wonderfully made, with great concentration. Great value too. Best after 2007. 850 cases made.’ - James Suckling, Wine Spectator, 95/100 (Oct 2005)

‘The 2001 Barolo Riserva Le Gramolere reveals the superior pedigree of its vintage in a gorgeous portrait of ethereal sweet dark fruit, cocoa, herbs, licorice and toasted oak. It is a richly-textured yet nuanced Barolo with notable complexity, polish and finesse, particularly for Monforte.’ - Antonio Galloni, Vinous, 92/100 (Oct 2007)

Provenance

Private Client