Bruno Giacosa
Bruno Giacosa is an internationally respected winemaker with some of the most impressive Barolo and Barbaresco single-vineyard wines. He is the 3rd generation of this family business from their cellars in Nieve in the Langhe. He also sources grapes from local growers that whom the family has long-established relations. The wines have a fantastic bouquet and a full-bodied palate but also real elegance for the region.
Often credited as one of the producers to put Barbaresco on the map, Bruno Giacosa joined the family’s winemaking business at the age of 15, buying what he felt were the best grapes from his network of growers. He acquired the Falleto vineyard in Barolo (relatively) recently in 1982, and selected plots in Barbaresco in 1996. In 1964, Giacosa began single-vineyard bottlings of Barolo and Barbaresco with the cru names indicated on the labels with the very first being from the San Stefano vineyard – reportedly Giacosa’s single favourite wine of his entire career. Giacosa's daughter Bruna has been in charge since 2006.
Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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Piedmont | 1 | 93 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€1,083.18 |
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Wine Advocate (93)This is a difficult wine to find in the marketplace and it is rarely presented for official review. In fact, the last time it was produced was way back in 2008. The 2014 Barbaresco sees fruit sourced from the lower part of the Asili cru with some smaller amounts from Rabajà. This is a very opulent and rich expression with forward determination and power. This is an unusual vintage with a cool summer and a very warm pre-harvest period. It produced interesting wines specifically in Barbaresco and almost nowhere else in Northern Italy. The quality of fruit is ripe and a touch sweet. Its texture is succulent and soft. The wine feels like it could be ready to drink now, but it also has the pedigree and beautiful inner structure for long cellar aging. |
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Piedmont | 1 | - |
Inc. TAX
€996.78 |
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Piedmont | 1 | 94+ (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€2,090.92 |
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Vinous (94+)I am shocked (pleasantly, I must say), by how closed the 2001 Barbaresco Santo Stefano is. Powerful, tightly wound and totally closed down, the 2001 exudes class. Orange rind, tobacco and smoke add striking aromatic complexity to the intense dark fruit. Today, the tannins are surprisingly intense and raw, so readers will have to be patient. The 2001 is superb, but the wine’s full personality will not be on display for at least another few years. There is a good bit of upside here. |
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Piedmont | 4 | 93 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€1,099.81 |
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Vinous (93)(white label): Captivating flower perfume lifts aromas of raspberry, menthol and mint. Seamless in texture but a bit youthfully imploded, offering terrific red fruit intensity without weight. Quite spicy for Asili. Nicely balanced, silky, floral Barbaresco, finishing with continuing spice notes as well as serious, building tannins for Asili. |
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Piedmont | 1 | 95 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€1,048.38 |
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James Suckling (95)Very perfumed and pretty with cherry, dried fruit and orange peel. Hints of sandalwood, too. Full body, layered and refined. Smoke, tar and spice aftertaste to the fruit. Drink in 2019. |
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Piedmont | 1 | 97 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€1,068.78 |
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James Suckling (97)There’s impeccable transparency and freshness to this Barbaresco on the nose, which introduces bright rose petals, lifted orange peel, crushed stones and sour cherries. The stoney tannins trace intricate detail on the medium-to full-bodied palate, highlighting the racy acidity, brambly undertones and a beautiful array of wild berries. Yes, there’s power and depth of flavor, but this is all about grace and beauty. Drink from 2024. |
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Piedmont | 5 | - |
Inc. TAX
€1,366.38 |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 99 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€6,844.38 |
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Vinous (99)The 2004 Barbaresco Riserva Asili is every bit as spectacular as it has always been. I remember tasting the 2004 with Bruno Giacosa and Dante Scaglione before it was released, and making a note to buy as much of the wine as soon as it hit the market. I have never regretted that decision. Explosive, deep and powerful, the 2004 Asili will reward readers lucky enough to own it for several decades. On this night, it is simply sublime. Not surprisingly, the 2004 is also one of the favorites of the group. |
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Piedmont | 1 | 99 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€2,968.38 |
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James Suckling (99)This is an incredible wine that reminds me of the perfect 2000 Barolo Rocche de Falletto. Flowers, spices, leather and animals. Decadent. Dried mushrooms. Then changes to Japanese ginger and lemon peel. Full-bodied but refined and so long. It has layers of fruit and power. So refined. Ripe and intense. Perfect balance and harmony. It will be released in 2016. |
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Piedmont | 1 | 99 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€2,320.21 |
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James Suckling (99)Incredible aromas of violets, roses and blue fruits. So perfumed. Never smelled a wine like this before. Full body, perfectly integrated tannins and bright, vivid acidity. Extremely long and endless. A seamless and great one. An evocative wine that makes you think. Needs three to five years of bottle age on release. Unique red. Available in 2019. |
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|
Piedmont | 8 | - |
Inc. TAX
€3,100.38 |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 99 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€1,324.38 |
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James Suckling (99)Aromas of peaches, plums and strawberries. Hints of oranges, rosemary and oyster shell. Medium-to full-bodied Barbaresco that's tight yet so long and refined on the finish. Extraordinary. Such polished tannins. Better in 2020 but a joy to taste now. First year of Rabajà from Giacosa. 3,600 bottles. Available on the market January 2017. |
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Piedmont | 1 | 96 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€1,378.38 |
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Vinous (96)The 2014 Barbaresco Rabajà is gorgeous. Powerful and explosive, the 2014 possesses stunning depth and intensity in all of its dimensions. Spice, menthol and orange peel give the 2014 a level of exoticism that is compelling, while beams of searing tannin announce the presence and pedigree of Rabajà. Intense, tannic and yet also very precise, with soaring structure and terrific persistence, the 2014 Rabajà is the best wine the Bruno Giacosa estate has made in many years. |
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Piedmont | 1 | 99 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€1,480.38 |
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James Suckling (99)The purity of fruit to this is incredible with cherry, plum and white truffle. Hints of ash and stone. Roses. Full body, superb texture of super fine tannins and incredible length. The harmony is so mesmorizing. Elegance and length. Bright energy. Tiny production. Try in 2022 when it comes together. |
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Piedmont | 2 | 93 (VN) |
Inc. TAX
€1,798.38 |
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Vinous (93)The 2016 Barbaresco Rabajà is very nicely done. It offers up an enticing mélange of dark-fleshed fruit, spice, licorice, sage, tobacco and menthol, all in a relatively mid-weight, light style for this site. The 2016 won't make Giacosa fans forget about the 2001 or 2004, but it is certainly very nicely balanced. Overall, the 2016 is a bit light for Rabajà, but attractive if taken on its own terms. It should drink well for another decade or so. |
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Piedmont | 3 | - |
Inc. TAX
€1,420.38 |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 87 (WA) |
Inc. TAX
€970.21 |
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Wine Advocate (87)The 2008 Barbaresco Santo Stefano has the same color the 1987 had when it was 20 years old, which is to say almost rose colored. I don’t think the 2008 will make its 20th birthday, however. This is a light, translucent, fleeting wine with very little fruit and body. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2016. |
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Piedmont | 1 | - |
Inc. TAX
€479.27 |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | - |
Inc. TAX
€1,474.38 |
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|
Piedmont | 5 | - |
Inc. TAX
€1,099.98 |
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Piedmont | 1 | 98 (WI) |
Inc. TAX
€906.78 |
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The Wine Independent (98)The 2018 Bruno Giacosa Barolo is very rich and hedonistic, with ripe strawberries and rose hip and notes of incense, lilies and violets. It is a lovely nose, persistent, intense and enticing and on the palate it is like falling into a soft velvety bed of rose petals. It already has such beautiful harmony and poise. It has a lush, sensual texture of crushed velvet, and is full-bodied without feeling heavy. There are plenty of dense, savory tannins extending the very long finish, creating a combination of seductive charm and power. This is something special, a great achievement in this vintage. Wait 2-3 years at least but I would not want to miss that young fragrance. |
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|
Piedmont | 2 | - |
Inc. TAX
€1,814.87 |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 96 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€1,131.18 |
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James Suckling (96)Impressive fresh leather-clad red cherries with a subtle earthiness in the background. Quite pure. Floral and aromatic. The palate has a very elegant yet powerful core of blueberries and cherries. A smooth release of fruit sweetness into the fresh and vibrant finish. Elegant and classic. More open than normal. Impressive now but better from 2022. |
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Piedmont | 1 | 98 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€1,045.98 |
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James Suckling (98)Superb aromas of ripe fruit such as plums and berries with peaches and tar. Very intense. Full body, great depth and density. Incredible richness and power with superb length and persistence. One of the most dense and vertical Falletos I have tasted. Try in 2025. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | - |
Inc. TAX
€1,430.87 |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | - |
Inc. TAX
€1,300.38 |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 98 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€1,354.38 |
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James Suckling (98)Lovely aromas of strawberries, plums, and berries. Bark and mushrooms. Complex and aromatic. Medium to full body with super fine tannins that are supple and gorgeous. Lovely length. So attractive now. Leave it for four or five years. Better after 2027. |
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|
Piedmont | 2 | 97 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€1,054.38 |
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James Suckling (97)This is incredibly powerful and structured with so much tannin backbone and ripe fruit. Aromas of plums and hazelnuts. Full-bodied and chewy. Fabulous finish. Needs three to four years to come together. Great wine. No Falleto was made in 2013. Only Le Rocche. Available in January 2017. |
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Piedmont | 1 | 99 (JS) |
Inc. TAX
€1,289.58 |
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James Suckling (99)Subtle and complex aromas of roses, rose stems and meat. Highly perfumed. Extremely pretty, subtle fruit, yet a solid core of tannins holding it all together. Full-to medium-bodied with a chewy mouth feel and a long and persistent finish. Lots of black cherries and walnuts in the aftertaste. Try in 2024. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | - |
Inc. TAX
€4,256.87 |
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Product Name | Region | Qty | Score | Price | |||||
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 93 (WA) |
In Bond
€884.00 |
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Wine Advocate (93)This is a difficult wine to find in the marketplace and it is rarely presented for official review. In fact, the last time it was produced was way back in 2008. The 2014 Barbaresco sees fruit sourced from the lower part of the Asili cru with some smaller amounts from Rabajà. This is a very opulent and rich expression with forward determination and power. This is an unusual vintage with a cool summer and a very warm pre-harvest period. It produced interesting wines specifically in Barbaresco and almost nowhere else in Northern Italy. The quality of fruit is ripe and a touch sweet. Its texture is succulent and soft. The wine feels like it could be ready to drink now, but it also has the pedigree and beautiful inner structure for long cellar aging. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | - |
In Bond
€812.00 |
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Piedmont | 1 | 94+ (VN) |
In Bond
€1,720.00 |
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Vinous (94+)I am shocked (pleasantly, I must say), by how closed the 2001 Barbaresco Santo Stefano is. Powerful, tightly wound and totally closed down, the 2001 exudes class. Orange rind, tobacco and smoke add striking aromatic complexity to the intense dark fruit. Today, the tannins are surprisingly intense and raw, so readers will have to be patient. The 2001 is superb, but the wine’s full personality will not be on display for at least another few years. There is a good bit of upside here. |
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|
Piedmont | 4 | 93 (VN) |
In Bond
€898.00 |
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Vinous (93)(white label): Captivating flower perfume lifts aromas of raspberry, menthol and mint. Seamless in texture but a bit youthfully imploded, offering terrific red fruit intensity without weight. Quite spicy for Asili. Nicely balanced, silky, floral Barbaresco, finishing with continuing spice notes as well as serious, building tannins for Asili. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 95 (JS) |
In Bond
€855.00 |
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James Suckling (95)Very perfumed and pretty with cherry, dried fruit and orange peel. Hints of sandalwood, too. Full body, layered and refined. Smoke, tar and spice aftertaste to the fruit. Drink in 2019. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 97 (JS) |
In Bond
€872.00 |
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James Suckling (97)There’s impeccable transparency and freshness to this Barbaresco on the nose, which introduces bright rose petals, lifted orange peel, crushed stones and sour cherries. The stoney tannins trace intricate detail on the medium-to full-bodied palate, highlighting the racy acidity, brambly undertones and a beautiful array of wild berries. Yes, there’s power and depth of flavor, but this is all about grace and beauty. Drink from 2024. |
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|
Piedmont | 5 | - |
In Bond
€1,120.00 |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 99 (VN) |
In Bond
€5,685.00 |
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Vinous (99)The 2004 Barbaresco Riserva Asili is every bit as spectacular as it has always been. I remember tasting the 2004 with Bruno Giacosa and Dante Scaglione before it was released, and making a note to buy as much of the wine as soon as it hit the market. I have never regretted that decision. Explosive, deep and powerful, the 2004 Asili will reward readers lucky enough to own it for several decades. On this night, it is simply sublime. Not surprisingly, the 2004 is also one of the favorites of the group. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 99 (JS) |
In Bond
€2,455.00 |
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James Suckling (99)This is an incredible wine that reminds me of the perfect 2000 Barolo Rocche de Falletto. Flowers, spices, leather and animals. Decadent. Dried mushrooms. Then changes to Japanese ginger and lemon peel. Full-bodied but refined and so long. It has layers of fruit and power. So refined. Ripe and intense. Perfect balance and harmony. It will be released in 2016. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 99 (JS) |
In Bond
€1,915.00 |
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James Suckling (99)Incredible aromas of violets, roses and blue fruits. So perfumed. Never smelled a wine like this before. Full body, perfectly integrated tannins and bright, vivid acidity. Extremely long and endless. A seamless and great one. An evocative wine that makes you think. Needs three to five years of bottle age on release. Unique red. Available in 2019. |
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|
Piedmont | 8 | - |
In Bond
€2,565.00 |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 99 (JS) |
In Bond
€1,085.00 |
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James Suckling (99)Aromas of peaches, plums and strawberries. Hints of oranges, rosemary and oyster shell. Medium-to full-bodied Barbaresco that's tight yet so long and refined on the finish. Extraordinary. Such polished tannins. Better in 2020 but a joy to taste now. First year of Rabajà from Giacosa. 3,600 bottles. Available on the market January 2017. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 96 (VN) |
In Bond
€1,130.00 |
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Vinous (96)The 2014 Barbaresco Rabajà is gorgeous. Powerful and explosive, the 2014 possesses stunning depth and intensity in all of its dimensions. Spice, menthol and orange peel give the 2014 a level of exoticism that is compelling, while beams of searing tannin announce the presence and pedigree of Rabajà. Intense, tannic and yet also very precise, with soaring structure and terrific persistence, the 2014 Rabajà is the best wine the Bruno Giacosa estate has made in many years. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 99 (JS) |
In Bond
€1,215.00 |
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James Suckling (99)The purity of fruit to this is incredible with cherry, plum and white truffle. Hints of ash and stone. Roses. Full body, superb texture of super fine tannins and incredible length. The harmony is so mesmorizing. Elegance and length. Bright energy. Tiny production. Try in 2022 when it comes together. |
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|
Piedmont | 2 | 93 (VN) |
In Bond
€1,480.00 |
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Vinous (93)The 2016 Barbaresco Rabajà is very nicely done. It offers up an enticing mélange of dark-fleshed fruit, spice, licorice, sage, tobacco and menthol, all in a relatively mid-weight, light style for this site. The 2016 won't make Giacosa fans forget about the 2001 or 2004, but it is certainly very nicely balanced. Overall, the 2016 is a bit light for Rabajà, but attractive if taken on its own terms. It should drink well for another decade or so. |
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|
Piedmont | 3 | - |
In Bond
€1,165.00 |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 87 (WA) |
In Bond
€790.00 |
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Wine Advocate (87)The 2008 Barbaresco Santo Stefano has the same color the 1987 had when it was 20 years old, which is to say almost rose colored. I don’t think the 2008 will make its 20th birthday, however. This is a light, translucent, fleeting wine with very little fruit and body. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2016. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | - |
In Bond
€377.00 |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | - |
In Bond
€1,210.00 |
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|
Piedmont | 5 | - |
In Bond
€898.00 |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 98 (WI) |
In Bond
€737.00 |
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The Wine Independent (98)The 2018 Bruno Giacosa Barolo is very rich and hedonistic, with ripe strawberries and rose hip and notes of incense, lilies and violets. It is a lovely nose, persistent, intense and enticing and on the palate it is like falling into a soft velvety bed of rose petals. It already has such beautiful harmony and poise. It has a lush, sensual texture of crushed velvet, and is full-bodied without feeling heavy. There are plenty of dense, savory tannins extending the very long finish, creating a combination of seductive charm and power. This is something special, a great achievement in this vintage. Wait 2-3 years at least but I would not want to miss that young fragrance. |
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|
Piedmont | 2 | - |
In Bond
€1,490.00 |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 96 (JS) |
In Bond
€924.00 |
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James Suckling (96)Impressive fresh leather-clad red cherries with a subtle earthiness in the background. Quite pure. Floral and aromatic. The palate has a very elegant yet powerful core of blueberries and cherries. A smooth release of fruit sweetness into the fresh and vibrant finish. Elegant and classic. More open than normal. Impressive now but better from 2022. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 98 (JS) |
In Bond
€853.00 |
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James Suckling (98)Superb aromas of ripe fruit such as plums and berries with peaches and tar. Very intense. Full body, great depth and density. Incredible richness and power with superb length and persistence. One of the most dense and vertical Falletos I have tasted. Try in 2025. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | - |
In Bond
€1,170.00 |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | - |
In Bond
€1,065.00 |
|||||
|
Piedmont | 1 | 98 (JS) |
In Bond
€1,110.00 |
|||||
James Suckling (98)Lovely aromas of strawberries, plums, and berries. Bark and mushrooms. Complex and aromatic. Medium to full body with super fine tannins that are supple and gorgeous. Lovely length. So attractive now. Leave it for four or five years. Better after 2027. |
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|
Piedmont | 2 | 97 (JS) |
In Bond
€860.00 |
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James Suckling (97)This is incredibly powerful and structured with so much tannin backbone and ripe fruit. Aromas of plums and hazelnuts. Full-bodied and chewy. Fabulous finish. Needs three to four years to come together. Great wine. No Falleto was made in 2013. Only Le Rocche. Available in January 2017. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | 99 (JS) |
In Bond
€1,056.00 |
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James Suckling (99)Subtle and complex aromas of roses, rose stems and meat. Highly perfumed. Extremely pretty, subtle fruit, yet a solid core of tannins holding it all together. Full-to medium-bodied with a chewy mouth feel and a long and persistent finish. Lots of black cherries and walnuts in the aftertaste. Try in 2024. |
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|
Piedmont | 1 | - |
In Bond
€3,525.00 |
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