La Spinetta di Giorgio Rivetti

This passito from 100% Moscato grapes -- the same used in Spinetta's renowned sparkling Moscato d'Asti -- ferments and ages 2 years in new barriques. It then spends up to 4 years in the bottle before release to become this dense dessert wine, with ripe notes of apricot, lime flower, hazelnut and orange rind. This spectacular wine deserves the name "Passito d'Oro", or "Golden" Passito.
WS 94

  Engaging wine with red cherry, currant &  plum. Medium-bodied & silky textured. Fresh  and inviting - the rich & ripe juicy fruit is  balanced by bright & lively acidity. A versatile  wine with lots of appeal!               90pts WS

Grape variety: 100% Barbera
Alcohol content:14.5% by vol.
Received awards:92 points by Veronelli (Daniel Thomases), silver medal Decanter10,000 bottles (3% of entire LA SPINETTA production)
Average production:
Average yield per ha:2,500 bottles
First vintage: 1996

Colour:dark ruby red, solid with vibrant reflections
Bouquet:dense with ripe fruit scents of blackberry and plum
Taste: warm and rich, feminine, round taste, yet good acidity

90 pts. Spectator on 12/31/2006
Juicy and fruity, with blackberry, licorice and light meat character. Full-bodied, with lots of fruit and a bright finish. Drink now

Wa 91  -  Veronelli 91 - 3 Bicchieri Gambero rosso

This wine is dense, with scents that remind of blackberry, mint flower
and vanilla cream.

Taste: full bodied, fresh with tannins and good acidity, old vine minerality extending into a long finish.
WS 87

• 65% Nebbiolo, 35% Barbera - aged in French oak for 16-18 months


• Ruby/Garnet red color


• Very layered aromatics: spice, cherries, wood and earth, and on and on.


• Very smooth, medium- to full-bodied with a bit of grip and dusty tannins.


• Quite elegant, rolling tannins and jams of fruit.


• Rockstar wine with a long aging potential ahead of it.
  

WA  91  -  WS  92

65% Nebbiolo
35% Barbera d’Asti Superiore Bionzo
“Magnificent and harmonious are the watchwords for Monferrato Rosso Pin 2006: a tre bichieri award for an excellent Nebbiolo/Barbera blend.”
WA  90  -  WS  88

Medium cherry red color with pale meniscus; dried cherry, floral and raspberry nose; very tasty, more ready to drink than '04, dried cherry, charcoal and mineral palate with depth and breadth; medium-plus finish 92+ pts.

Good medium-deep red. Reticent but pure aromas of red fruits, marzipan and menthol, plus a suggestion of grapefruit. Then large-scaled and sweeter than the nose would suggest, with a flavor of red fruit syrup lifted by a repeating suggestion of citrus peel and complemented by nicely integrated oak. Finishes very long and sweet, with broad, fine tannins and exceptional mouth coverage.
WS 92   WA  93

Wine description:  Color: defined red  Bouquet:  scents of violet and raspberry, accented by notes of dried  thyme  Taste:  perfect balance, layered flavors of mocha and blueberrytinged cassis  Evolution:  25 to 30 years  Available bottle sizes:  normal and Riserva Magnum  Pairings:  ideal with grilled food, sauced and elaborate red meat and  wild game, or just to be enjoyed by itself 
Parker 92 , International Wine Cellar  91  ,  WS  94

Wine description:  Color: deep red  Bouquet:  complex and gently spiced, white truffle and herb aroma  Taste:  well structured, fine tannins, austere with a finish  reminding of mint and thyme  Evolution:  25 to 30 years  Available bottle sizes:  normal and Riserva Magnum  Pairings:  ideal with grilled food, sauced and elaborate red meat and  wild game, or just to be enjoyed by itself 
Parker 93  , Int. Wine Cellar 91 , WS  90

Valeriano , Starderi , Gallina . Very Few quantity 5 bottl. each.

Wine description:  Color:  intense vibrant ruby red  Bouquet:  scents of black fruits and spices, well balanced wood  Taste:  powerful and complex, balancing acidity and long and  dense, yet fine fruit finish  Evolution: 25-30 years  Available bottle sizes:  normal and magnum riserva   Pairings:  ideal with grilled food, sauced and elaborate red meat as  well as wild game 
Parker  92  , Int. Wine Cellar 91  ,  WS 95

35-45 year old vines with due south exposure. Aged in new French oak for 24 months then in stainless steel for 9 months and then a further year in bottle. Intense and vibrant ruby red, warm and rich bouquet showcasing the elegance of the Nebbiolo grape with suggestions of ripe red fruits and spices. On the palate it is round and powerful, elegantly balanced wood with a long, fine fruit-driven finish. This is probably the finest expression of Nebbiolo this estate has ever produced.
Parker 93  ,  Int. Wine Cellar 93-95 ,  WS 95