Act Five: 2008 Barolo Then & Now

~ Monforte d'Alba ~

You don't often hear the word value ascribed to Barolo but that is an adjective that simply must be applied to the latest wine in our Barolo: Then and Now series. 

 

Damilano has been producing wine in Piemonte for years, but only recently have they garnered the attention they deserve and the accolades that come with increases in quality and exportation.  The family sources fruit for their Barolo from some of the regions best vineyards: Liste, Brunate, Cerequio, and Cannubi among the rest.  The subject wine of today's article hails from Cannubi.

 

Barolo Then

 

Like it's cousin from Scavino, the 2008 Damilano Cannubi is a massive wine. Deep aromas of roses, turned earth, and crushed cherry follow through to a full bodied, chewy palate of powerful, muscular Barolo fruit. The back end has begun displaying some smoked meat and dried fennel notes before the tannins clamp down. A wonderful wine from Cannubi.   94 points.

 

~ Il Vigneto Cannubi nella Piemonte ~

 

Barolo Now

 

I'm not sure I can improve on the note above.  The wine was decanted for 45 minutes but it didn't seem to need it.  It's so open and aromatic and might be even better than the tasting referenced above.  

 

Freshly crushed berry, fennel bulb, anise seed, leather and spices are noteworthy. On the palate, the wine shines. Given it's youth, it's remarkably accessible but is still a brawny beast.  Full bodied wild berry is accented by asian spices,  newly turned earth notes and leaf tobacco.  She glides powerfully, yet elegantly from fore to aft.  Tannins clamp down on the finish leaving the impression that the wine is a bit overly "dry" but I disagree.  This was great with duck risotto and will cellar well for 15-20 years.  95 points.  About $50 upon release. 



~ I forgot to shoot the current tasting - but this is an image I had from VinItaly ~

 

Salute!