The 2007 Barolo Cascina Nuova is another terrific entry-level wine. It naturally shows more depth and body than the Barbaresco Bordini, but shares much of that wine’s early appeal. Sweet red berries, hard candy, flowers and cedar are some of the nuances that emerge from this open, textured Barolo. This is a feminine, silky Barolo best enjoyed while the fruit retains its raciness. A clean, pointed finish rounds things out in style. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2022.
Walter Fissore and Nadia Cogno continue to do fabulous work. Cogno is one of the very finest estates in Piedmont, yet somehow remains under the radar. Every wine I tasted this year was brilliant, but the Baroli in particular are magnificent. The wines are made in a fairly traditional style, which means they need bottle age, even at the entry-level. Native yeasts, lengthy submerged-cap macerations, and a reliance on large, neutral oak casks for the top Baroli are the rule.
Importer: Vias Imports, New York, NY; tel. (212) 629-0200