2011 Brovia Barolo $276 6pack 90-92 Antonio Galloni “The 2011 Barolo is sumptuous and expressive, with all of the immediacy that is so typical of the year. Dark red cherry, plums, hard candy, spice and tobacco are all woven into a layered finish graced with soft contours and fabulous overall balance for a straight Barolo. As Brovia fans know, the straight Barolo is 70% young-vine fruit from Brea, plus the wine that is left over when the single-vineyard Barolos go into cask.”
2011 Brovia Barolo “Garblet Sué” $390 6pack $420 3-magnum-case 93 Points Antonio Galloni “The 2011 Barolo Garblèt Sue’ is remarkably polished and sophisticated, two qualities that are rarely found in this Castiglione Falletto site, where the wines tend to be much more sinewy and virile. White pepper, pomegranate and sweet red cherries are some of the notes that open up in the glass. The flavors remain bright, focused and beautifully delineated in the glass. I very much like the sense of energy here, although I have to admit, the softer edges of 2011 are incredibly alluring.”
2011 Brovia Barolo “Rocche di Castiglione” $450 6pack $486 3-magnum-case 94 Points Antonio Galloni “The 2011 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione is sweet, floral and wonderfully expressive, all Brovia signatures. Silky tannins provide the backdrop as this sensual, polished Barolo shows off its class. Perfumed notes are woven throughout, but it is the wine's exceptional textural finesse that stands out most. Hints of hard candy, mint, cinnamon and succulent red cherries add the final shades of dimension. In 2011, the Rocche stands out for its total sense of class.”
2011 Brovia Barolo “Brea – Vigna Ca’Mia” $450 6pack $486 3-magnum-case 94 Points Antonio Galloni “Lavender, mint, sage, smoke, tobacco and plums are all laced together in the 2011 Barolo Brea Vigna Ca'Mia. As always, the Ca'Mia is a decidedly vertical Barolo built on a spine of persistent tannin, but in 2011 there is a little bit of added polish that serves to soften the contours. Tucked off the main road, Brea remains one of the least well-known vineyards in Serralunga. The 2011 is a great wine to start exploring some of the nuances of this site. A huge finish that brings together power and voluptuousness captures the pure radiance of the year.”
2011 Brovia Barolo “Villero” $450 6pack $486 3-magnum-case 93 Points Antonio Galloni “The 2011 Barolo Villero is one of the most structured wines in the range. Here the firm tannins and ample frame both suggest the 2011 will drink well for many years, once the tannins start softening. Orange peel, wild flowers, red stone fruits and spices flesh out on the creamy finish. It's always interesting to taste the Villero next to the Rocche, as the two sites are pretty close to the other, yet the wines are remarkably different. Here the heat of the year is quite evident, while the Rocche benefits from greater ventilation and therefore a bit more freshness.” |