Barolo Riserva 'San Giuseppe'

Score

94

Score

3

Score

98

Score

96

Score

96

Score

98

Score

97

Score

96

"The dark style of Alfio Cavallotto is, if possible, enhanced here by the natural style of the vintage. This is a cask sample, still in oak and not bottled yet. It has an intense smoky woodland nose, with a lot of mineral earthiness along with liquorice, graphite, tar and earthy dark cherry. Large, powerful and extracted tannins dominate the palate, with crisp, brilliant acidity. A really muscular and angular wine, almost over-extracted and quite biting on the finish, but prepared for the long haul."

Score

98

"#4 Top 100 Italian Wines of 2023: Hailing from the firm's prime vineyard in the Bricco Boschis cru, Cavallotto's magnificent 2017 Riserva Vigna San Giuseppe opens with classic Barolo aromas of new leather, forest floor, tobacco and ripe berry that mingle with floral scents of dog rose and iris. Full-bodied but smooth and enveloping, the firmly structured palate combines power and finesse, featuring succulent Morello cherry, ripe cranberry, star anise and baking spice accompanied by tightly knit, refined tannins. Fresh acidity – impressive given the scorching vintage – keeps it well balanced. Drink2029–2044"

Score

94

"The 2017 Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe is redolent of dark fruits, leather, incense, tobacco, lavender and dried herbs. This strapping, muscular Barolo has a ton to offer. All it needs is to soften a bit, and whether or not that happens is something of an open question at this stage."

Score

96+

"Organic fruit for this wine comes from a small parcel within the hilltop Bricco Boschis cru with 60-year-old vines. The Cavallotto 2017 Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe shows ample texture and softness with layers of dark fruit, plum, dried cherry, baked terracotta and spice. This vintage delivers more accessible fruit overall, and the Cavallotto house style delivers elegance and depth. Production is 6,637 bottles."

Score

94

"Generous, this red displays a mix of woodsy underbrush, tar, truffle and plum flavors. Solidly built, with dense, pointed tannins underlying the superlong finish. Though balanced in the end, this could use more time to integrate. Best from 2025 through 2043. ‡B.S."

Score

18

"Lustrous ruby. A nose exuding minerality, dark earth and shy raspberry. Suave and cool on the palate and still quite closed. Finely ground tannins make their presence felt but never dominate the fruit. Elegant and long. (WS) 14.5%"

Score

98

"Wild red berry, violet dark spice, forest floor, tobacco and new leather are just some of the aromas you'll find on the gorgeous 2018 Bricco Boschis San Giuseppe Riserva. Still young and tight but already balanced and utterly delicious, the full-bodied palate delivers layers of raspberry compote, ripe cherry, star anise, blood orange and baking spice. Firm, fine-grained tannins and bright acidity provide age-worthy support. Drink 2028–2043. Abv: 14.5% Kerin O'Keefe August 2024"

Score

95

"Tightly wound, this red offers a glimpse of cherry, cranberry, rhubarb, earth and underbrush flavors all rolled up like a 20-dollar bill inside the grip of dusty tannins. The fruit emerges with a few minutes of aeration, revealing the promise of this red. Best from 2026 through 2045. From Italy.—B.S."