Giacomo Fenocchio Barolo Bussia 2005

Classic and variety, are the first two words, emblematic and significant, coming to my mind, if I would to synthesize the interpretation that gives Claudio Fenocchio of the cru Bussia.

Classic: thirty months big barrel. Varietal: it is Nebbiolo, without doubt.

A warm garnet, with clean and fresh aromas waiting for me.

Lots of red fruit, sometimes even in spirit - cherry and plum - a vivid rose and viola and a nice spicy.

The next wheeling gives a fresh breath balsamic, but it is the licorice, the unmistakable mark of the Bussia, which assumes high profile.

Palate with vibrant elegance and freshness and consistently aligned with the olfactory expression. There is an harmonious fusion between fruity and spicy, nice and dense tannins and an alcohol control ever hovering.

Sip very deep and balanced, in constant progression and very persistent, with an happy ending of tobacco, leather and licorice.

Enjoy it with roast.

Rizzi Barbaresco Boito 2004

Here we are in Treiso and this Barbaresco Boito comes from grapes selected in the cru "Rizzi".

The color is a brilliant garnet slightly discharged.

The framework olfactory is detailed, clean and elegant. There are ample aromas of dried flowers, licorice, geranium, china, underbrush and leather. There is a nice amount of rose with touches of raspberry, cherry, hints of minerals and spicy notes

The cup has great fresh taste, with fine tannins and tense. The sip, coherent and inviting, offering incisive fruity returns and repeats the complexity and the elegance already discovered in the nose, expanding them. The acidity is in the foreground with a graceful drink.

It’s a great structure wine, however well balanced in the relationship acid-tannic, with precise control of alcohol. The closing is dynamic, and characterized by freshness with great momentum and long lasting.

It can safely keep still in your cellar.

Excellent bottle, well done, Enrico.

Deutz Champagne Brut Classic n.v.

Deutz is an ancient Maison of Ay founded, in 1838, by two Prussian immigrants. Since 1993, it is owned by Roederer, however, that ensures full independence. The annual production is around two millions bottles.

The Brut Classic is the entry level cuvée. It is a blanc d'assemblage, where the proportion of the three varieties - Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier - is equally represented. The reserve wines represent twenty percent usually.

It has a pale yellow, soft, with fairly fine bubbles and good persistence, with nice creaminess. A sweet note on the nose, followed by hints of citrus, apple and pastry.

The mouth is very similar to the olfactory expression. There remains this lovely creaminess supported by a balanced acidity. Meeting notes of citrus and bread, supported by a clear mineral vein. Ends long enough, with good persistence.

Recommended as an aperitif.

Luigi Spertino Barbera d’Asti 2010

In the glass a ruby dense, almost impenetrable. Very vinous nose. Rose, strawberry, raspberry, cherry, and considerable acidity.

On the mouth has a nice confirmation.

Despite the 14 degrees on the label, the drink is agile, melted and pleasant. A basic Barbera, but honest and fair, simple and genuine.

This Barbera is not too complex - I was not looking for that and I do not try this in a base wine - but I like it to call the faithful in every way.

When I get the opportunity meeting the winegrower, I’ll do my congratulations.

Antonio Perrino Rossese di Dolceacqua 2010

Here we are in the limestone-clay soils of Val Nervia (Liguria), on the border between the south west Piedmont and the French Riviera.

Antonio Perrino, called by the locals “Nino Testalonga” (Nino long head), is the historical winegrower and the standard bearer of the Rossese grape. Nino maintains, always tight and intact, the bond he has with its old oak casks, as well as indigenous yeasts.

This 2010 is almost unanimously regarded as one of the best vintages since the last thirty years.

It’s an elegant red. Persuasive already on the nose, reminding me so much of the Burgundian pinot!

Flowers, cherry and raspberry, rhubarb and accented spicy notes, outline the framework olfactory, with an emerging charming iodized note and an unmistakable whiff of resin.

Warm and vibrant palate, rich fruit, very spicy, brackish and saline. You will hear a slight snort alcohol, but relevant acidity. The drink is fresh, elegant and persistent.

Already good now, but it can stand for a long time in the cellar.

Great job, Nino, as usual.

Fleury Champagne Extra Brut 1995

This comes directly from the cellar of Monsieur Fleury. It was just Jean-Pierre in person, to convince me about the absolute goodness of this vintage, showing, at this moment, truly amazing and giving high satisfaction.

It is an assembled - 80 Pinot Noir and 20 Chardonnay - which did not, at the time, the malolactic. Spent nearly 20 years is too easy, now, to argue that choice was never more rewarding.

The cap that has worked and held up very well, is unequivocal evidence about the absolute quality of the "stuff".

Gold, not too intense, not even the shadow of oxidation, with very fine bubbles, relentless, unstoppable.

What is amazing is the incredible freshness that emanates the liquid on the nose and on the palate, especially on the palate.

A very young and pointed wine, high minerality, with some white flowers and many citrus fruits, a touch of acacia honey, a hefty sum of champignons and oysters. Striking and dazzling verticality.

The rest are e m o t i o n s - not transferable - that everyone picks up and lives on its own initiative, capable of infinite variables - with whom, where, how, when, how much, etc.

Chapeau-bas, Jean-Pierre.

Vietti Barbera d’Alba Tre Vigne 2009

This wine, which is not subject to filtering, has a  ruby red compact robe.

The olfactory spectrum is promising with notes of red cherry and violet, black cherry and a touch of vanilla.

A warm palate is waiting for me, with a pleasant juiciness. The mouth is the faithful witness of the olfactory impressions.

A beautiful acidity imparts momentum to a sip already greedy.

It ends long and quite persistent, with notes of tobacco and sweet spices.

An excellent entry level Barbera, with a great value for money.