Vinous (93)

The 2018 Alteni di Brassica offers a striking balance of varietal character and textural silkiness. It is perhaps a bit less assertive than the 2019 tasted alongside it (not in a bad way), but also creamier and a bit more generous. Clean mineral and white flower notes support the finish.

Made entirely from the Nebbiolo bio-type known as Prünent, this mono-varietal from Garrone shows how beautifully the vine in question has become acclimated to the precipitous slopes and lofty altitudes of the Alpine foothills and valleys. Racy, firm and structured, yet ineffably inviting courtesy of a generous vintage; which is more and more becoming the rule as wine regions around the world heat up. This is world-class nebbiolo on par with many a top menzione in Barolo or Barbaresco with just as long of a life ahead of it.

Vinous (93)

The 2018 Barolo Ravera is a powerful, tightly wound wine. Gravel, smoke, cured meats, spice, leather, tobacco and menthol emerge, but only with quite a bit of reticence. This deceptively mid-weight Barolo has a good bit of brawn. It will be interesting to see if the fruit emerges from behind the tannins.

Vinous (94)

The 2018 Barbera d'Alba Vigna Cerretta is so elegant and refined in this vintage. The 2018 is lithe and precise, with lovely red berry, floral and blood orange flavors that are woven together into a fabric of total class. The long, silky finish is a thing of beauty. With a bit of time, the Cerretta starts to show its trademark pliancy. I would give it a few years in bottle.

Vinous (94)

The 2018 Barbera d'Alba Vigna Francia is an explosion of floral, savory and mineral notes. Like the Cerretta, the Francia Barbera is quite delicate in this vintage. It has a bit darker fruit, stronger savory undertones and a touch more depth. It is a beguiling, beautifully layered wine that unfolds graciously over time.

Decanter (96)

With young soils and steep hills, the importance of Arione is easily understood. The southern exposure helped the quality in this vintage and the wine shows a restrained red currant fruit aroma with graceful cinnamon, sweet violet and watermelon, allied to an anise, almost herbal, whiff. Full, refreshing and very elegant yet not without a firm structure, it features an extracted chalky finish. It will age quite well for a 2018.

Decanter (96)

With young soils and steep hills, the importance of Arione is easily understood. The southern exposure helped the quality in this vintage and the wine shows a restrained red currant fruit aroma with graceful cinnamon, sweet violet and watermelon, allied to an anise, almost herbal, whiff. Full, refreshing and very elegant yet not without a firm structure, it features an extracted chalky finish. It will age quite well for a 2018.

Decanter (96)

With young soils and steep hills, the importance of Arione is easily understood. The southern exposure helped the quality in this vintage and the wine shows a restrained red currant fruit aroma with graceful cinnamon, sweet violet and watermelon, allied to an anise, almost herbal, whiff. Full, refreshing and very elegant yet not without a firm structure, it features an extracted chalky finish. It will age quite well for a 2018.

The Wine Independent (96-98)

The 2018 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Francia is very densely concentrated with fine tannins but it is not revealing much yet as it is so young. When tasted in May 2022 it was due to be bottled the following month. It is deep ruby in color with perfumed violet and freesia aromas on the nose, with oak spice notes. The tannins are firm but beautifully refined as you would expect from this producer. At the moment, the wine is like a beautiful statue, immaculately carved and pristine but not revealing very much. Roberto Conterno felt this wine needed 18 months before approaching and that it will last for 40 years.

The Wine Independent (96-98)

The 2018 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Francia is very densely concentrated with fine tannins but it is not revealing much yet as it is so young. When tasted in May 2022 it was due to be bottled the following month. It is deep ruby in color with perfumed violet and freesia aromas on the nose, with oak spice notes. The tannins are firm but beautifully refined as you would expect from this producer. At the moment, the wine is like a beautiful statue, immaculately carved and pristine but not revealing very much. Roberto Conterno felt this wine needed 18 months before approaching and that it will last for 40 years.

The Wine Independent (96-98)

The 2018 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Francia is very densely concentrated with fine tannins but it is not revealing much yet as it is so young. When tasted in May 2022 it was due to be bottled the following month. It is deep ruby in color with perfumed violet and freesia aromas on the nose, with oak spice notes. The tannins are firm but beautifully refined as you would expect from this producer. At the moment, the wine is like a beautiful statue, immaculately carved and pristine but not revealing very much. Roberto Conterno felt this wine needed 18 months before approaching and that it will last for 40 years.

Wine Advocate (95-97)

Tasted from barrel, the Giacomo Conterno 2018 Barolo Cerretta is shaping up to be a beauty. What stands out most at this very young stage is the quality and the elegant tightness of the tannins. Cerretta fruit from Serralunga d'Alba makes for powerful, structured and concentrated Nebbiolo that is delivered with naked clarity and outstanding purity. These qualities are clearly linked to the vineyard site and less to the conservative efforts executed at the winery. You taste the crunch or the nervous quality of the grape skins and pulp with dark and purple berry nuances and rusty or mineral overtones that hint at the more significant presence of clay in these soils.

Wine Advocate (95-97)

Tasted from barrel, the Giacomo Conterno 2018 Barolo Cerretta is shaping up to be a beauty. What stands out most at this very young stage is the quality and the elegant tightness of the tannins. Cerretta fruit from Serralunga d'Alba makes for powerful, structured and concentrated Nebbiolo that is delivered with naked clarity and outstanding purity. These qualities are clearly linked to the vineyard site and less to the conservative efforts executed at the winery. You taste the crunch or the nervous quality of the grape skins and pulp with dark and purple berry nuances and rusty or mineral overtones that hint at the more significant presence of clay in these soils.

Vinous (91)

The 2018 Barolo Bussia is a bit light, but still has plenty of character. Sweet red berry fruit, blood orange, mint, cedar and cinnamon all open with a bit of coaxing. The Bussia is the Barolo in this vintage that appears to be the most marked by the challenging conditions of the growing season. It is a very good wine, yet also comes across as not fully formed. The 2018 is an attractive wine, but is also a bit flat relative to the other Barolos in the range.

Vinous (93)

The darkly alluring 2018 Brunello di Montalcino grumbles up from the glass, with a mix of crushed plums and black cherries complemented by rubbed sage nuances. It’s soft-textured and deep, engulfing the palate in ripe wild berry fruit and spice, underscored by a savory herbaceous steak. A web of fine tannins is left to linger, creating a truly classic impression, as mentholated herbs and hints of wild strawberry linger on and on. This youthfully masked beauty will only require minimal cellaring to show its best.

Vinous (93)

The darkly alluring 2018 Brunello di Montalcino grumbles up from the glass, with a mix of crushed plums and black cherries complemented by rubbed sage nuances. It’s soft-textured and deep, engulfing the palate in ripe wild berry fruit and spice, underscored by a savory herbaceous steak. A web of fine tannins is left to linger, creating a truly classic impression, as mentholated herbs and hints of wild strawberry linger on and on. This youthfully masked beauty will only require minimal cellaring to show its best.

The Gianni Gagliardo Barolo Castelletto 2018 is meticulously crafted from 100% Nebbiolo grapes, hailing from the illustrious vineyards of Castelletto in the heart of Monforte d’Alba, Italy. This Barolo showcases the deft winemaking prowess of the Gagliardo estate, boasting four decades of piemontese winemaking tradition.

This expressive wine tantalises with a complex nose of red fruits, smoke, and forest floor whilst delivering a delightful, seamlessly balanced palate. Aged for 24 months in large oak barrels and then transferred into the bottle, it revels in its rich, tannic structure without compromising on finesse.

As an exemplary choice for confident cellaring, the Gianni Gagliardo Barolo Castelletto 2018 displays the distinctive profundity of the Nebbiolo variety, coupled with the unique terroir of Barolo. This esteemed vintage encapsulates the symbol of Italian heritage and the essence of the Gagliardo family's passion for this inspiring craft.

Presenting a specimen of oenological finesse, the Gianni Gagliardo Barolo Preve 2018 is an exquisite Italian red wine from the acclaimed producer Gianni Gagliardo. Produced in the verdant hills of Langhe, Piedmont, this grand cru showcases the distinctive qualities of the Nebbiolo grape variety, exhibiting an elegant and structured body.

Vested with 18 months in French oak barrels and a further 18 months in the bottle, the Gianni Gagliardo Barolo Preve 2018 boasts an alluring red garnet hue, notes of wild berries, and undertones of tobacco and leather. Its rich tannins, harmonious acidity, and lasting finish perfectly mirror the winemaking savoir-faire of the Gagliardo family, known for their dedicated devotion to the vine since 1847.

Wrapping its essence with vivid verve, this wine's subtle oak influence and characteristic earthy touch delivers a spectacular mesmerising palate experience. A testament to Barolo's nobility, the Gianni Gagliardo Barolo Preve 2018 is indeed a treasure in every drop.

Wine Advocate (97)

This wine was tasted in a preview capacity as it won't hit the market until the beginning of next year. Tasted at the Giodo winery in one of the most remote and beautiful spots in the appellation surrounded by forests and wide open panoramas, the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino gives us a promising taste of what we can expect from this warm vintage. The wine delivers ripe, but delicate aromas of cassis and dark cherry with shades of lilac, violet and crushed limestone. The tannins are present and well managed. Carlo Ferrini's Brunello promises a long aging trajectory.

Vinous (93)

The 2018 Barolo Paiagallo is laced with kirsch, sweet spice, new leather, menthol and rose petal. Exotic and super-ripe, the 2018 shows all the warmth of the year in its sweet fruit and pronounced alcohol, but avoids the angular contours that afflict so many wines. Even with all of that richness, the 2018 retains a good bit of freshness and energy. An opened bottle was still vibrant after a number of days whereas many other wines in the same tasting faded far faster. The 2018 is a very fine effort from one of Barolo's artisan growers, but readers have to be willing to accept elevated ripeness and alcohol.

Vinous (93)

The 2018 Barolo Paiagallo is laced with kirsch, sweet spice, new leather, menthol and rose petal. Exotic and super-ripe, the 2018 shows all the warmth of the year in its sweet fruit and pronounced alcohol, but avoids the angular contours that afflict so many wines. Even with all of that richness, the 2018 retains a good bit of freshness and energy. An opened bottle was still vibrant after a number of days whereas many other wines in the same tasting faded far faster. The 2018 is a very fine effort from one of Barolo's artisan growers, but readers have to be willing to accept elevated ripeness and alcohol.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (94)

Pale but vibrant ruby in colour, from 6.5ha of 45 year old vines on the northern slopes of Etna at 750m. So fragrant it’s crazy, soft raspberry and cranberry fruits, this is far more intense on the nose than you expect from the colour. Very approachable, easy to enjoy, fragrant with rolling waves of summer fruits, orange peel and earthy dried herbs. No need to wait to drink this, although you feel gentle tannins guiding your way through the palate. Easy to recommend this wine from Davide Rosse (originally from Piedmont, and you can see something of the delicacy of nebbiolo here, the whisper of a variety that specialises in gentle persuasion). Aged in an array of differently sized French oak barrels and casks. Got to be the best value wine of the September Releases.

The Giulia Negri Barbera d'Alba 2018 is an exceptional instantiation of the Piedmontese tradition. Handcrafted in the verdant slopes of La Morra, this ruby-hued Barbera captures the essence of North Italy's rich terroir, punctuated by Giulia Negri's signature elegance. Born from Nebbiolo and Barbera grapes fastidiously grown in superior limestone-clay soils, and aged meticulously for 12 months in large Slavonian oak barrels, this vintage exhibits a sublime balance of robust character with a velvety finish.

Discerning palates will note exotic depths of wild cherry and spice harmoniously layered atop minerally undertones. This is a tribute to the winemaking sophistication of Giulia Negri, often referred to as the 'Barolo Girl', whose deep respect for nature and timeless techniques result in wines hailed for their pure intensity and finesse. In every bottle of Giulia Negri Barbera d'Alba 2018, you savour not just a fine wine, but a piece of Italian winemaking heritage.

Wine Advocate (93)

From a vineyard site in La Morra, the 2018 Barolo Serradenari boasts a very bright and lifted bouquet that is colored by tart raspberry, wild blueberry, exotic spice and hints of campfire ash. La Morra is recognized for its fine and silky tannins, and this vintage delivers those with a little more emphasis.

Wine Advocate (93)

From a vineyard site in La Morra, the 2018 Barolo Serradenari boasts a very bright and lifted bouquet that is colored by tart raspberry, wild blueberry, exotic spice and hints of campfire ash. La Morra is recognized for its fine and silky tannins, and this vintage delivers those with a little more emphasis.