Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/359372
76 / the tasting panel / august 2014 BLUE REVIEWS BLUE REVIEWS 88 Marchesi di Barolo 2013 Gavi di Gavi ($21) Fresh and bright with clean, juicy style; crisp with minerals and lively acidity; balanced and long. 90 Marchesi di Barolo 2012 Zagara Moscato d'Asti ($20) Smooth and spritzy with spice, vanilla and good acid structure; balanced, fresh and juicy. 88 Marchesi di Barolo 2011 Roero Arneis ($36) Smooth, clean and minerally with balance and spice; fresh, balanced, long. 90 Marchesi di Barolo 2011 Barbera d'Alba Ruvei ($20) Juicy and bright with earthy notes and smooth texture; spicy, ripe and balanced; long and rich. 90 Marchesi di Barolo 2010 Barbaresco Tradizione ($50) Juicy and bright with elegance and racy acidity; fresh, earthy and complex; balanced and long. 93 Marchesi di Barolo 2008 Barbaresco Serragrilli ($78) Lush and velvety with rich plum, cassis and spice; elegant, feminine and refined; precise and stunning; long and showing great finesse. 92 Marchesi di Barolo 2007 Barolo del Comune di Barolo ($93) Smooth and luscious with rich, traditional style; deep, ripe with plum, blackberry and spice; juicy, bright and balanced. 94 Marchesi di Barolo 2007 Barolo Sarmassa ($108) Lush and rich with deep flavors of plum, tar and spice; smooth, precise and layered with a mineral-laced finish. 96 Marchesi di Barolo 2008 Barolo Cannubi ($108) Lush, dense and velvety with rich plum, cassis and floral notes; precise, focused and deep with great power and elegance; great structure and racy acidity; exquisite, long and complex. 90 Marchesi di Barolo 2006 Barolo Coste di Rose ($86) Silky and bright with tangy plum and floral notes; medium-bodied and crisp; long and racy. 93 Marchesi di Barolo 2001 Barolo Riserva della Casa ($102) Juicy, elegant and complex with notes of plum, berries and licorice; lovely and layered, refined and precise; long and showing great finesse. 92 Marchesi di Barolo NV Barolo Chinato ($57/500 ml.) An aromatized Barolo wine with a bitter, herbal nose; sweet and spicy with herbs and notes of orange peel and amaro-style spices. Excellent as a digestif. MARCHESI DI BAROLO IS IMPORTED BY FREDERICK WILDMAN & SONS. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARCHESI DI BAROLO THIS LEGENDARY BAROLO PRODUCER is the product of the merging of two families: the Fallettis, who held the title of Marquis of Barolo and first created the Nebbiolo-based wines known as Barolo; and the neighboring Abbona family, who, under Pietro Abbona acquired the Marchesi di Barolo wine estate in the early 20th century and made Barolo world-famous. With holdings in the region's top vineyards, including owning much of Cannubi, they produce classic, long-lived Barolos of noble bearing. I recently tasted a wide selection of current releases with the charming Valentina Abbona, who now acts as the family ambassador—the sixth generation to be involved in one of Italy's most respected labels. As my notes and scores show, while their offerings from other areas are very good, it's the investment-grade historic cru Barolos that keep this house on top. —Anthony Dias Blue Valentina Abbona of Marchesi di Barolo. Marchesi di Barolo: Where It All Began