Barolo Riserva 'San Giuseppe'

Score

94

Score

3

Score

98

Score

96

Score

96

Score

98

Score

97

Score

95

Score

3

Score

95

Score

95+

Score

98

Score

99

Score

98

"An impressive red, this features a beam of pure cherry and rose, with strawberry, currant, iron and tobacco notes in supporting roles. Firm and dry, with ripeness midpalate, this lingers on the fruit, mineral and underbrush aftertaste. Combines finesse and intensity. Best from 2025 through 2045. 1,500 cases made, 100 cases imported."

Score

98

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."