2004 Barolo Pre-Arrivals

Azelia 2004 Barolo #302709
Robert Parker 89 Points - Wine Advocate #174 Dec 2007
"Azelia's 2004 Barolo is a super-rich wine loaded with generous black cherries and spices. It is a beautifully poised, balanced Barolo. In recent years Azelia has stepped up the quality of the Barolo by including more juice from their top vineyards, and it shows in this terrific wine which is sure to offer much pleasure over the next decade or so. I can-t ask for too much more from a wine at this level. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2016. Readers looking for a first-rate Barolo producer whose pricing has remained very fair need look no further than the wines of Azelia and proprietor Luigi Scavino. These are among my favorite wines to drink, especially in restaurants, where they don-t suffer from the larger markups that accompany some of the region-s better known bottlings."

$48.98

$44.98

Azelia 2004 Barolo "Bricco Fiasco" #302710
Robert Parker 94 Points - Wine Advocate #174 Dec 2007
"The estate’s 2004 Barolo Bricco Fiasco is made in a slightly sweeter, but more linear, style than the Margheria. It reveals a concentrated expression of the hallmark qualities of this Castiglione Falletto vineyard in its perfumed aromatics, ripe red cherries, menthol and baking spices. With air the wine turns more muscular as it gains volume and depth in the glass. This is a beautiful and refined Bricco Fiasco from proprietor Luigi Scavino. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2024. Readers looking for a first-rate Barolo producer whose pricing has remained very fair need look no further than the wines of Azelia and proprietor Luigi Scavino. These are among my favorite wines to drink, especially in restaurants, where they don’t suffer from the larger markups that accompany some of the region’s better known bottlings."

Azelia 2004 Barolo "San Rocco" #302711
Robert Parker 95 Points - Wine Advocate #174 Dec 2007
"The 2004 Barolo San Rocco, from a vineyard in Serralunga, is an explosive, structured wine bursting with black cherries, violets, menthol and tar. Full-bodied and ample on the palate, it possesses outstanding balance and an utterly engaging personality that makes it an absolute joy to taste. The San Rocco is always the most complete of the Azelia Barolos, and it is a wine I seek out in nearly every vintage. A recent bottle of the 2003 was also superb. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2024. Readers looking for a first-rate Barolo producer whose pricing has remained very fair need look no further than the wines of Azelia and proprietor Luigi Scavino. These are among my favorite wines to drink, especially in restaurants, where they don’t suffer from the larger markups that accompany some of the region’s better known bottlings."

$86.98

Azelia 2004 Barolo "Margheria" #302235
Robert Parker 92 Points - Wine Advocate #174 Dec 2007
"Gorgeous, multi-dimensional Serralunga aromas burst from the glass of the 2004 Barolo Margheria. This vibrant, fresh Barolo exudes layers of dark fruit, tar, licorice, cinnamon, new leather and sweet toasted oak that flow onto the palate with stunning purity. The wine lost a little intensity with air, which is the only thing that keeps the score from going higher. This bottling saw 50% new oak, and it will require a few years to come together. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2024. Readers looking for a first-rate Barolo producer whose pricing has remained very fair need look no further than the wines of Azelia and proprietor Luigi Scavino. These are among my favorite wines to drink, especially in restaurants, where they don’t suffer from the larger markups that accompany some of the region’s better known bottlings."

Cavallotto 2004 Barolo "Bricco Boschis" #302712
Robert Parker 94 Points - Wine Advocate #174 Dec 2007
"I can’t think of too many estates whose wines have given me as much pleasure in recent years as those of the Cavallotto family. With each passing vintage the wines seem to grow leaps and bounds and the 2004 Barolo Bricco Boschis is no exception. This fresh, perfumed Barolo blossoms with the essence of red raspberries, flowers and spices. Made in a plump, fruit driven style, it possesses superb length and a completely seductive, rapturous personality. Cavallotto’s Bricco Boschis can be somewhat rustic and chunky, but in 2004 it is a remarkably finessed Barolo. If the bottled wine is anything like this barrel sample, the 2004 will be the finest Bricco Boschis yet."

Clerico 2004 Barolo "Ciabot Mentin Ginestra" #301468
Robert Parker 97 Points - Wine Advocate #174 Dec 2007
"The 2004 Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra sweeps across the palate with stunning depth and expansiveness in its dark cherries, menthol, spices, chocolate and sweet toasted oak. It offers exceptional length and delineation, with a note of freshness that provides lift on the close. It is a profound effort from Domenico Clerico. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2024."

Clerico 2004 Barolo "Panjana" #302268
Robert Parker 94 Points - Wine Advocate #174 Dec 2007
"Clerico-s 2004 Barolo Pajana is an explosive wine loaded with layers of deeply spiced dark fruit. It is a notably pure, focused version of this wine that is totally compelling for its overall balance. The south-facing Pajana vineyard tends to give a more fruit-driven style of Barolo but the 2004 is a beautifully complete wine. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2024."

Poderi Colla 2004 Barolo "Dardi Le Rose" #302203
Robert Parker 93 Points - Wine Advocate #174 Dec 2007
"Poderi Colla has produced a big, masculine wine with their 2004 Barolo Bussia Dardi/Le Rose. Huge, brooding aromas of scorched earth, spices and tobacco lead to rich, complex layers of dried figs, plums and prunes that gradually open on the palate. This impressively endowed, exciting Barolo closes with a long, sweet finish, yet it needs a minimum of a few years of bottle age to fully come together. Fermentation takes place in cement, where the wine remains until the Spring, when it is racked into medium and large casks of various sizes. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2026."

Giovanni Corino 2004 Barolo "Arborina" #302025
Robert Parker 92 Points - Wine Advocate #174 Dec 2007
"The 2004 Barolo Vigna Arborina presents a very typical profile of candied cherries, menthol, spices and sweet toasted oak. Initially quite clenched, the wine opens beautifully with air, revealing terrific depth and the firmer tannins that are characteristic of this site. This perfumed, fresh Barolo still needs at least another few years in bottle to come together. It is made from a southwest facing plot in the vineyard. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2024. This is the first vintage Giuliano Corino has made on his own, and a distinct style is beginning to emerge. He appears to favor a more elegant, restrained approach while his brother Renato’s wines are decidedly riper and more exuberant, very much like their personalities."

Renato Corino 2004 Barolo "Arborina" #301986
Robert Parker 93 Points - Wine Advocate #174 Dec 2007
"Corino’s 2004 Barolo Vigneto Arborina reveals notable harmony and balance in its sweet ripe fruit, new leather, menthol and spices. This generous, full-bodied Barolo offers outstanding persistence and an engaging personality. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2024."

Renato Corino 2004 Barolo "Rocche" #302193
Robert Parker 94 Points  - Wine Advocate #174 Dec 2007
"Gorgeous, open aromatics lead to layers of silky-textured, opulent fruit in the 2004 Barolo Vigneto Rocche. A multitude of roses, flowers, black cherries and spices flow as this vibrant, pure Barolo blossoms on the palate with superb depth and definition. The only thing it needs is a few more years in the bottle. I would love to see if the 2004 Rocche might one day rival the legendary 1990. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024."

Luigi Einaudi 2004 Barolo #301848
Robert Parker 91 Points - Wine Advocate #174 Dec 2007
"Like the 2003, Einaudi’s 2004 Barolo is another superb effort at this level. It offers gorgeous aromatics and well articulated fruit on a medium-bodied frame of notable elegance. This bottling is made from the less well-exposed parcels of the Via Nuova vineyard and was the only Barolo that was in bottle at the time of my November visit. The wine spent 16 months in barrique (40-50% new) followed by 15 months in 25 hectoliter casks. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2019. Consulting oenologist Beppe Caviola has been instrumental in ratcheting up the quality at this historic property. I can’t think of too many estates that have made such significant strides in just the last few years."

Luigi Einaudi 2004 Barolo "Nei Cannubi" #302267
Robert Parker 92-95 Points - Wine Advocate #174 Dec 2007
"The estate’s classy, elegant 2004 Barolo Nei Cannubi is even more promising. It reveals a richly concentrated personality with the compelling perfumed inner sweetness that is the hallmark of this great vineyard. The wine offers terrific energy and structure, with gorgeous, silky tannins that round out the sweet, lingering finish. The Cannubi was still in oak when I tasted it in mid-November 2007. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2024. Consulting oenologist Beppe Caviola has been instrumental in ratcheting up the quality at this historic property. I can’t think of too many estates that have made such significant strides in just the last few years."

E. Pira 2004 Barolo "Via Nuova" #302431
Robert Parker 92 Points - Wine Advocate #174 Dec 2007
"The 2004 Barolo Via Nuova comes across as slightly fresher than the Cannubi. It too offers outstanding definition and clarity, with vibrant, perfumed fruit and a slightly compact personality that makes the tannins stand out a little bit more than the Cannubi. Still, this is another lovely effort from the energetic Chiara Boschis. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2024."

E. Pira 2004 Barolo "Cannubi" #302700
Robert Parker 95 Points - Wine Advocate #174 Dec 2007
"The 2004 Barolo Cannubi possesses superb depth, clarity and inner perfume, with layers of fruit, sweet spices and menthol that develop in the glass as this magical wine gradually reveals its sublime personality and remarkable texture. Well-integrated oak, ripe, silky tannins and a finish that lasts forever round out this beautiful wine, which was simply stunning on both occasions I tasted it. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2022."

Giacomo Grimaldi 2004 Barolo #302703
Robert Parker 89 Points - Wine Advocate #174 Dec 2007
"The 2004 Barolo is sweet, perfumed and open for business. This medium-bodied Barolo offers attractive, vibrant fruit intermingled with toasted oak flavors. A pretty, accessible wine, it should offer its best drinking within the next seven to eight years. Grimaldi’s Barolo is made from rented vines in the Via Nuova vineyard. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2014."

Giacomo Grimaldi 2004 Barolo "Sotto Castello" #302702
Robert Parker 92 Points - Wine Advocate #174 Dec 2007
"The 2004 Barolo Sotto Castello di Novello is a super-ripe wine bursting with generous notes of blueberries, spices, violets and sweet toasted oak. This poised, well-defined Barolo possesses lovely depth and vibrancy. It isn’t the most typical Barolo out there, but it does offer outstanding harmony in its own way. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2019."

Giacomo Grimaldi 2004 Barolo "Le Coste" #302704
Robert Parker 93 Points - Wine Advocate #174 Dec 2007
"The estate-s 2004 Barolo Le Coste is the most ample and full-bodied of these Barolos. It exhibits a gorgeous expression of blueberries, spices, menthol and sweet toasted oak on a structured, layered frame. Today it comes across as fairly austere, but it should develop nicely with another year or two of bottle age. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2019."

Giovanni Manzone 2004 Barolo "Le Gramolere" #302706
Robert Parker 94 Points - Wine Advocate #174 Dec 2007
"Manzone’s 2004 Barolo Le Gramolere reveals gorgeous notes of candied cherries, spices and menthol in an elegant, sweet expression of this vineyard. It offers greater freshness than the Castelletto, with notable vibrancy to its generous fruit. The finish is delicate and long, as ethereal aromas linger in the empty glass. The Gramolere was aged predominantly in 500 liter barrels with 15-20% of the juice seeing larger 20-hectoliter barrels. It is one of the finest wines I have tasted from this small, artisanal producer. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2024. This is a very strong set of releases from Giovanni Manzone. I have always found an element of rusticity here, but the 2004s may well signal a move towards more elegant, refined Barolos."

Giovanni Manzone 2004 Barolo "Bricat" #302707
Robert Parker 93 Points - Wine Advocate #174 Dec 2007
"The 2004 Barolo Bricat is made from the oldest vines in the Gramolere vineyard. Today it comes across as fresher and more closed than the Barolo Gramolere. That notwithstanding, it possesses superb delineation in its aromatics and plenty of backward dark fruit. The Bricat will require a few years of additional bottle age before it reveals its fullest potential. It too is an outstanding effort from this estate. Manzone has decided to simplify the naming of his wines so beginning with the 2004 the wine is simply called Barolo Bricat, as opposed to previous vintages in which the wine was labeled Barolo Bricat Le Gramolere. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024. This is a very strong set of releases from Giovanni Manzone. I have always found an element of rusticity here, but the 2004s may well signal a move towards more elegant, refined Barolos."

Marcarini 2004 Barolo "La Serra" #301442"
Robert Parker 91 Points - Wine Advocate #174 Dec 2007
"Marcarini’s 2004 Barolo La Serra reveals floral aromatics and a candied, spicy quality to its red cherry fruit. Made in a linear, focused style, this taut Barolo offers outstanding persistence on the palate and refined ripe tannins. It is a lovely La Serra. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2022."

Marcarini 2004 Barolo "Brunate" #301434
Robert Parker 93 Points - Wine Advocate #174 Dec 2007
"Soaring aromatics emerge from the estate’s 2004 Barolo Brunate. Menthol, dark cherries, spices, new leather and licorice are all to be found in this generous, layered wine. Sweet, ripe tannins provide a lovely bookend to this rich, classic Barolo from the Brunate vineyard. Still somewhat closed, it is likely to require at least a few years of bottle age. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2024."

Marengo 2004 Barolo #302713
Robert Parker 90 Points - Wine Advocate #174 Dec 2007
"Marengo's 2004 Barolo is a lovely, poised wine. It offers feminine, perfumed fruit in the graceful, finessed expression typical of the Barolos of La Morra. It should be a terrific value as well. This new bottling is a blend of fruit sourced from the Fontanazza vineyard as well as Arborina fruit Marengo receives from Elio Altare in exchange for the grapes he gives Altare from his holdings in Brunate. It-s hard to believe Marengo sold this juice in bulk prior to the 2004 vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2016. In top vintages Marco Marengo can give some of his more famous neighbors a run for their money. 2004 is without question one of those vintages. Readers looking for a source of first-rate Barolo at affordable prices should consider these new releases, all of which are outstanding."

Marengo 2004 Barolo "Viole" #302723
Robert Parker 91 Points - Wine Advocate #174 Dec 2007
"Marengo’s 2004 Barolo Bricco delle Viole is always a taut, focused wine but in 2004 it is surprisingly generous in its expression of roses, black cherries, spices and minerals. This offers superb inner perfume to its fruit and notable harmony. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2022. In top vintages Marco Marengo can give some of his more famous neighbors a run for their money. 2004 is without question one of those vintages. Readers looking for a source of first-rate Barolo at affordable prices should consider these new releases, all of which are outstanding. "

Marengo 2004 Barolo "Bruante" "Vecchie Vigne" #302724
Robert Parker 94 Points - Wine Advocate #174 Dec 2007
"The 2004 Barolo Brunate Vecchie Vigne is a big, strapping wine loaded with fruit and a generous, enveloping personality. It reveals a lovely purity to its dark cherry fruit, with spice, mint and sweet toasted oak nuances that develop in the glass, adding further complexity. This old-vine cuve offers greater concentration than the Brunate, but its massiveness has come at a loss of some of the perfume of the regular Brunate, which I slightly preferred for its greater freshness and minerality. 2004 is the first vintage of this wine. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2024. In top vintages Marco Marengo can give some of his more famous neighbors a run for their money. 2004 is without question one of those vintages. Readers looking for a source of first-rate Barolo at affordable prices should consider these new releases, all of which are outstanding. "

Luigi Pira 2004 Barolo "Margheria" #301488
Robert Parker 93 Points - Wine Advocate #174 Dec 2007
"The 2004 Barolo is a big, powerful wine. Today it comes across as quite austere, and I am not sure the fruit will ever emerge from underneath the wine’s imposing structure. If it does, this bottling will merit a higher score but for now the balance seems to be missing. Pira’s Barolo is aged in cask. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2016."

Luigi Pira 2004 Barolo "Vigna Rionda" #302035
Robert Parker 96 Points - Wine Advocate #174 Dec 2007
"Pira's 2004 Barolo Vigna Rionda (aged in 100% new French oak) opens with captivating aromatics that lead to a silky-textured palate of ripe red fruit. This medium to full-bodied Barolo offers exquisite purity and delineation with finessed tannins and an extraordinary sense of harmony. It shut down quickly in the glass and will require patience, but this is a stunningly pure Rionda in the making. It-s nice to see Giampaolo Pira bounce back with this gorgeous Rionda after his disappointing 2003. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024."

Revello 2004 Barolo "Giachini" #301476
Robert Parker 92 Points - Wine Advocate #174 Dec 2007
"A darker profile of black cherries, earthiness, smoke, tar and licorice flavors emerge from the 2004 Barolo Vigna Giachini. Made in a darker, more full-bodied style than the Gattera, it offers terrific expansiveness on the palate although some bottle age will be beneficial in smoothing the building tannins that arrive on the finish. The Giachini sees 50% of new oak, which also helps give the wine its roundness. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2022."

Revello 2004 Barolo "Conca" #301728
Robert Parker 93 Points - Wine Advocate #174 Dec 2007
"The 2004 Barolo Vigna Conca is among the strongest wines in the group. It is a touch less aromatically complex than the preceding wines yet it offers notable concentration and fatness on the palate which helps balance the wine’s significant structural components. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2022."

Revello 2004 Barolo "Rocche Annunziata" #301885
Robert Parker 94 Points - Wine Advocate #174 Dec 2007
"The estate’s 2004 Barolo Rocche dell’Annunziata possesses super-ripe, open aromatics that lead to a silky-textured palate of super-ripe fruit, roses, menthol and tar. This finely sculpted wine boasts a weightless texture, superb length and a refined, elegant finish. Anticipated maturity. 2010-2022."

Paolo Scavino 2004 Barolo #301514
Robert Parker 91 Points - Wine Advocate #174 Dec 2007
"The estate’s Barolo has always been a standout and the 2004 is no exception. It is a perfumed wine that presents the essence of dried roses, plums, cherries and herbs with a medium-bodied, feminine personality. A sweet note of tar lingers on the long, resonating finish. The Barolo is made from a variety of vineyards, including Vignolo, Vignane, Via Nuova and Monvigliero. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2016."

Paolo Scavino 2004 Barolo "Carobric" #301853
Robert Parker 94 Points - Wine Advocate #174 Dec 2007
"Scavino’s 2004 Barolo Carobric comes across as classic in its expression of violets, black cherries, minerals and sweet toasted oak. It too offers gorgeous inner sweetness to its fruit, but it is more focused and less concentrated than the other 2004 Barolos. This is a beautifully proportioned, vibrant Barolo that is sure to find many admirers. Carobric is made from a blend of Rocche di Castiglione, Bric del Fiasc and Cannubi This bottling has often suffered an identity crisis among the single-vineyard wines in the lineup but in recent years its personality has gradually begun to show its potential. The 2004 is a terrific effort. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2024."

Paolo Scavino 2004 Barolo "Bric Del Fiasc" #301856
Robert Parker 96 Points - Wine Advocate #174 Dec 2007
"The estate-s 2004 Barolo Bric del Fiasc is another awesome wine. Initially linear on entry, it explodes on the palate with a compelling array of dark fruit, smoke, tar, licorice, new leather, plums and baking spices. Although Bric del Fiasc is typically a wine that relies on power, the 2004 is notably refined and elegant, with sweet silky tannins that support the fruit from start to finish. Simply put, this is a remarkable wine from Enrico Scavino. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2022."

Paolo Scavino 2004 Barolo "Bricco Ambrogio" #302318
Robert Parker 92 Points - Wine Advocate #174 Dec 2007
"The 2004 Barolo Bricco Ambrogio is the most forward of these 2004 Barolos. Made in a fruit-driven style, this plump, juicy wine is packed with sweet dark fruit. White pepper, truffles, plums and prunes develop with air, but this wine is ultimately more about immediacy than complexity. Still, it offers much pleasure. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2019."

Paolo Scavino 2004 Barolo "Cannubi" #302317
Robert Parker 94 Points - Wine Advocate #174 Dec 2007
"Scavino’s 2004 Barolo Cannubi is an imposing effort. It possesses a lovely inner perfume with layers of ripe fruit, menthol and spices that caress the palate, showing superb grace and purity. The tannins are sweet, ripe and round, adding to the wine’s stylish, elegant personality. This is a surprisingly big Cannubi from Scavino. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2024."

Seghesio 2004 Barolo "La Villa" #302611
Robert Parker 92 Points - Wine Advocate #174 Dec 2007
"Seghesio is yet another producer who seems to have arrived at a newfound level of elegance. Fermentations have gradually been lengthened and the use of French oak is down from previous vintages. The 2004 Barolo La Villa is notably elegant and restrained for this bottling. It opens with perfumed aromatics that meld into layers of ripe dark fruit intermingled with sweet notes from the French oak. This superbly well-balanced, poised Barolo should be even better with another few years of bottle age. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2022."