Holding my tongue!
September 26, 2006
Back to our import trade tasting in SF a couple of
weeks ago..... The Piemonte fans who have been collecting the 2000 and
2001 Barolo......and those of you who recently took advantage of the 2001
Manzone Barolo Le Gramolere will be particularly interested in this new
wine!!!
I have been awaiting confirmation, because I could
not believe this wine was still available at this low price. I am pretty
damn excited to announce I have just received the immediate okay
for 15 cases of the stunning 2001 Cavallotto Barolo Bricco Boschis. My palate had been
fairly well bombarded when we tasted it..... the Cavallotto's soothing and
expansive texture immediately gained my attention, and
I smirked with delight "holding my 'purple' tongue" to refrain from revealing any
outward pleasure. It was towards the end of the tasting, and I knew the
alcohol was influencing my best judgement. But the high quality of this
Barolo was so obvious, it just did not matter.....I was ON
IT!! Huge aromas of fruitcake, jam, anise and violets....Repeat
on the palate with a soft, sweet tannin and a long comforting
finish!
The Cavallotto family has been vignerons for five
generations in the Castiglione Falletto commune since 1929. In 1948
the family recognized the value and greatness of its Bricco Boschis vineyard,
and decided to be the first in Barolo to stop selling grapes to other producers
and to begin making its own wine. Although Cavallotto is still
considered a steadfast traditional producer who ages its wine in large Slovenian
oak cask for extended maturation, the family has learned to
utilize modern viticulture and vinification techniques that result in a
complex and elegant Barolo. The wines are
typically released later than other Barolo to assure a more harmonious
maturity (no kidding!). This explains why Cavallotto
is still available in the market and not really "flying under the
radar".
The Wine Spectator's reviewed it a year ago (still
not reviewed by Robert Parker)
........."Loads of plum, chocolate and spices on
the nose here. Full-bodied, with supersoft tannins and a long, rich aftertaste.
This gives you loads of everything in a reserved, determined way. Better than
the 2000. Best after 2008. 1,760 cases made." 94
points (JS) - Wine Spectator - Issue October
15, 2005 - I am certain it is reassuring for the
magazine to know I agree with its assessment! HAH!
and the price....$52.95 a bottle!!
Take advantage of this new discovery from the great 2001 vintage where most
of the best Baroli are no longer available unless you want to PAY. If
you can resist its alluring charm, it should have a nice place in
your cellar for a long time......epecially for $48.95 a bottle....or $45.95 when you purchase at least six
bottles! I will pour a
sample at the tasting bar this Saturday if any goes unsold. Be
certain to check the lineup late in the week
at the
webstore's "Virtual Tasting Bar" page.
Eric Stumpf
The Wine Consultant
8039 Greenback Lane
Citrus Heights, CA 95610
(916) 721-WINE (9463)
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