Barolo Brunate

Barolo is arguably the most famous wine DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) produced in the northern Italian region of Piedmont, south of Alba and right side of the River Tanaro. It is renowned for producing Italy’s finest red wines from 100 percent Nebbiolo. Barolo was named after a noblewoman, the Marchesa de Barolo, in the 1850’s.

Before the mid-19th century, Barolo was made in a richly sweet and fruity style which wasn’t to the taste of Count of Cavour. Louis Oudart a French winemaker from Champagne was then hired to create what is now Barolo, a “dry” red wine. This new, “dry” red wine soon became one of Italy’s greatest reds. The area recently received UNESCO World Heritage status.

Brunate is one of the most storied vineyards in Piedmont and produces Barolo's that are especially perfumed and aromatic. The south facing slope of Brunate also produces Barolo with a bit more body and chunkiness than other Barolo Crus. As far back as 500 years ago, Brunate had been identified as producing wines of special character.  An old map from the 1477 La Morra land register shows the town’s vineyards as they were known at the time, including Brinata (Brunate), Rocha (Rocche dell’Annunziata), Gateria (Gattera), and well as other well-known crus.   By comparison, we have to wait until the years 1505 to see La Serra and 1524 to see Cerequio officially recognized.  Brunate is located on the border between the towns of Barolo and La Morra, although most of the vineyard is considered to belong to La Morra.  Brunate features a mostly southern exposure although some portions face southeast.  The vineyard measures about 25 hectares and altitude ranges from 353 meters to 239 meters.

BAROLO "BRUNATE"
Elio Altare

BAROLO BRUNATE

MARCARINI

"ONE of MY ALL-TIME FAVORITES"

I especially loved the 1996, 2001, 2004, 2007, & 2010 Vintages

Marcarini's BRUNATE Vineyard

Harvest Time on BRUNATE

MARCARINI

I just tasted the Ceretto BAROLO BRUNATE 2012

at the recent Winebow Portfolio Tasting at Cipriani 42nd Street

in New York .. Wow, I couldn't beleive how well the wine was drinking

just 4 years out of the gate. Yes it was drinking beautifully. The wine was in perfect

balance and just the right weight with wonderful taste of Girone Cherry with hints of licorice and wild mushrooms. I could go on-and-on about the wine but I won't, let me just say that it was wonderful and a joy to drink, and not much else needs to be said. Get this one if you can get your hands on it, it's really quite nice.

Vietti is one of the top Barolo producers and especially of Single Vineyard

Crus with Seven of them, including of course Brunate, Villero, Masseria,

Rocche Castiglione, Lazzarito, and Ravera ...

Harvested Nebbiolo Grapes 

from Marcarini Brunate Vineyard

ALBA

Mangia Italiano

The latest from Daniel Bellino

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Bellino on Barolo Barbaresco and ???

 

Winebow Portfolio Tasting

CIPRIANI 42nd Street

NEW YORK NEW YORK

Dessert Wines from Fausto Maculan

ITALY'S GREATEST 

DINDARELLO,  TORCOLATO,  ACINOBBILI

Alessandro Fiore of Poggio Scalette

Il Carbonaione & Chianti Classico Poggio Scalette

Alessandro's father Vittorio Fiore who owns Poggio Scalette is considered one of

Italy's greatest Wine-Makers, and for good reason, "He Is !"

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The KING of BARBARESCO ITALO STUPINO

with

Author DANIEL BELLINO ZWICKE

CASTELLO NEICE BARBARESCO "SANTA STEFANO"

from Italo Stupino ...

"I tasted the Barbaresco Santa Stefano 2007, 

the "Santa Stefano Riserva" 2007

and The 2010 Barbaresco Albanesi "Santa Stefano"

"They were all great, but if I had to pick my Favorite of the Barbaresco's that Italo was tasting me on this day, I'd have to say it was the 2010 Santa Stefano which was an absolute Gem that I went totally nuts for. It was the perfect expression of what a great Barbaresco can be at its very Best, and I'd take it over anything that Angelo Gaja makes andy day of the week. That's my Boy Italo "The King of Barbaresco" as I like to call him. And why not? He is!"

Italo also tasted me on his current vintage Grignolino (2015) which I absolutely loved. The wine is light in body with slight bitter notes and a beautiful perfume that reminded me of some of the Ruche's of Piedmont which I quite love as well. Mr. Stupino also tasted me on his fine Dolcetto d'Alba Basarin 2013 which just blew me away. It was quite literally my favorite Dolcetto that I've ever tasted. Yes, it was that good, of perfect wight and body and full of lovely Black Cherry fruit flavor with hints of licorice and slight almond notes. I absolutely loved this wine. I've had Italo's wines many times, and his Barbaresco's are my favorites of the whole zone. And I've had Italo's Dolcetto, Barbera, Pinot Nero, and Grignolino before but have never enjoyed these other wines of his so much as I did today. Bravo Italo, "you're a true Master of the Grape and of course The King of Barbaresco you are."

BAROLO

Had some great Barolo today. I was tasted on the Ceretto Barolo "Brunate" 2012 

and the famed Ceretto Barolo "Bricco Rocche" 2012

I first tasted the Brunate 2012 which is probably my favorite Single Vineyard in all of Barolo. The Narcarini Family makes a great one, as does Vietti and Elio Altare. My all-time favorite of the Brunate's has to be from Marcarini, but I do love them all. Well this 2012 offering from Ceretto was wonderful and totally enjoyable. The wine was well balanced and drinking quite well at this time already.

I moved on to the Legendary Ceretto Barolo "Bricco Rocche" 2012 and all I can say is "Wow!" Yes it was that good, and Wow is about all I'll say for now, for if a Big Wow doesn't say that this Barolo was Great and as Good-as-It-Gets, then I don't know what does. If you can get your hands on this wine (if you can Afford it) then grab it for it's an absolute Gem, and let me tell you "They don't make Barolo any Better than this one." s

o Get it and Enjoy !!!!

ZENATO AMARONE

Great as Usual !!!

"I tasted the Amarone "Sergio Zenato Riserva" 2009, it was awesome."

I also had the "Ripasso" 2012 which was my favorite vintage since the 1997."

No surprise, Zenato always produces the most wonderful Amarone and Ripasso you can imagine, there's none better, not Dal Forno nor Bertani, they can't touch Zenato. Trust me!"

Author Daniel Bellino Zwicke

with

Nadia Zenato

Angela Maculan with Nadia Zenato

M. Argiolas

with Ariolas "TURIGA"

Sardegna's Greatest Wine

Anna Tiefenbrunner pouring some of her family's fine wine. They make some 

of Italy's best Whites and really fine Pinot Nero. My favorite is always

the "Feldmarchell" Muller-Thurgau (2014)

Great Etna Rosso from this lady.

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