The Wine Independent (96-98)

The 2018 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Francia is very densely concentrated with fine tannins but it is not revealing much yet as it is so young. When tasted in May 2022 it was due to be bottled the following month. It is deep ruby in color with perfumed violet and freesia aromas on the nose, with oak spice notes. The tannins are firm but beautifully refined as you would expect from this producer. At the moment, the wine is like a beautiful statue, immaculately carved and pristine but not revealing very much. Roberto Conterno felt this wine needed 18 months before approaching and that it will last for 40 years.

The Wine Independent (96-98)

The 2018 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Francia is very densely concentrated with fine tannins but it is not revealing much yet as it is so young. When tasted in May 2022 it was due to be bottled the following month. It is deep ruby in color with perfumed violet and freesia aromas on the nose, with oak spice notes. The tannins are firm but beautifully refined as you would expect from this producer. At the moment, the wine is like a beautiful statue, immaculately carved and pristine but not revealing very much. Roberto Conterno felt this wine needed 18 months before approaching and that it will last for 40 years.

The Wine Independent (96-98)

The 2018 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Francia is very densely concentrated with fine tannins but it is not revealing much yet as it is so young. When tasted in May 2022 it was due to be bottled the following month. It is deep ruby in color with perfumed violet and freesia aromas on the nose, with oak spice notes. The tannins are firm but beautifully refined as you would expect from this producer. At the moment, the wine is like a beautiful statue, immaculately carved and pristine but not revealing very much. Roberto Conterno felt this wine needed 18 months before approaching and that it will last for 40 years.

Wine Advocate (95-97)

Tasted from barrel, the Giacomo Conterno 2018 Barolo Cerretta is shaping up to be a beauty. What stands out most at this very young stage is the quality and the elegant tightness of the tannins. Cerretta fruit from Serralunga d'Alba makes for powerful, structured and concentrated Nebbiolo that is delivered with naked clarity and outstanding purity. These qualities are clearly linked to the vineyard site and less to the conservative efforts executed at the winery. You taste the crunch or the nervous quality of the grape skins and pulp with dark and purple berry nuances and rusty or mineral overtones that hint at the more significant presence of clay in these soils.

Wine Advocate (95-97)

Tasted from barrel, the Giacomo Conterno 2018 Barolo Cerretta is shaping up to be a beauty. What stands out most at this very young stage is the quality and the elegant tightness of the tannins. Cerretta fruit from Serralunga d'Alba makes for powerful, structured and concentrated Nebbiolo that is delivered with naked clarity and outstanding purity. These qualities are clearly linked to the vineyard site and less to the conservative efforts executed at the winery. You taste the crunch or the nervous quality of the grape skins and pulp with dark and purple berry nuances and rusty or mineral overtones that hint at the more significant presence of clay in these soils.

Vinous (91)

The 2018 Barolo Bussia is a bit light, but still has plenty of character. Sweet red berry fruit, blood orange, mint, cedar and cinnamon all open with a bit of coaxing. The Bussia is the Barolo in this vintage that appears to be the most marked by the challenging conditions of the growing season. It is a very good wine, yet also comes across as not fully formed. The 2018 is an attractive wine, but is also a bit flat relative to the other Barolos in the range.

Vinous (93)

The darkly alluring 2018 Brunello di Montalcino grumbles up from the glass, with a mix of crushed plums and black cherries complemented by rubbed sage nuances. It’s soft-textured and deep, engulfing the palate in ripe wild berry fruit and spice, underscored by a savory herbaceous steak. A web of fine tannins is left to linger, creating a truly classic impression, as mentholated herbs and hints of wild strawberry linger on and on. This youthfully masked beauty will only require minimal cellaring to show its best.

Vinous (93)

The darkly alluring 2018 Brunello di Montalcino grumbles up from the glass, with a mix of crushed plums and black cherries complemented by rubbed sage nuances. It’s soft-textured and deep, engulfing the palate in ripe wild berry fruit and spice, underscored by a savory herbaceous steak. A web of fine tannins is left to linger, creating a truly classic impression, as mentholated herbs and hints of wild strawberry linger on and on. This youthfully masked beauty will only require minimal cellaring to show its best.

The Gianni Gagliardo Barolo Castelletto 2018 is meticulously crafted from 100% Nebbiolo grapes, hailing from the illustrious vineyards of Castelletto in the heart of Monforte d’Alba, Italy. This Barolo showcases the deft winemaking prowess of the Gagliardo estate, boasting four decades of piemontese winemaking tradition.

This expressive wine tantalises with a complex nose of red fruits, smoke, and forest floor whilst delivering a delightful, seamlessly balanced palate. Aged for 24 months in large oak barrels and then transferred into the bottle, it revels in its rich, tannic structure without compromising on finesse.

As an exemplary choice for confident cellaring, the Gianni Gagliardo Barolo Castelletto 2018 displays the distinctive profundity of the Nebbiolo variety, coupled with the unique terroir of Barolo. This esteemed vintage encapsulates the symbol of Italian heritage and the essence of the Gagliardo family's passion for this inspiring craft.

Presenting a specimen of oenological finesse, the Gianni Gagliardo Barolo Preve 2018 is an exquisite Italian red wine from the acclaimed producer Gianni Gagliardo. Produced in the verdant hills of Langhe, Piedmont, this grand cru showcases the distinctive qualities of the Nebbiolo grape variety, exhibiting an elegant and structured body.

Vested with 18 months in French oak barrels and a further 18 months in the bottle, the Gianni Gagliardo Barolo Preve 2018 boasts an alluring red garnet hue, notes of wild berries, and undertones of tobacco and leather. Its rich tannins, harmonious acidity, and lasting finish perfectly mirror the winemaking savoir-faire of the Gagliardo family, known for their dedicated devotion to the vine since 1847.

Wrapping its essence with vivid verve, this wine's subtle oak influence and characteristic earthy touch delivers a spectacular mesmerising palate experience. A testament to Barolo's nobility, the Gianni Gagliardo Barolo Preve 2018 is indeed a treasure in every drop.

Wine Advocate (97)

This wine was tasted in a preview capacity as it won't hit the market until the beginning of next year. Tasted at the Giodo winery in one of the most remote and beautiful spots in the appellation surrounded by forests and wide open panoramas, the 2018 Brunello di Montalcino gives us a promising taste of what we can expect from this warm vintage. The wine delivers ripe, but delicate aromas of cassis and dark cherry with shades of lilac, violet and crushed limestone. The tannins are present and well managed. Carlo Ferrini's Brunello promises a long aging trajectory.

Vinous (93)

The 2018 Barolo Paiagallo is laced with kirsch, sweet spice, new leather, menthol and rose petal. Exotic and super-ripe, the 2018 shows all the warmth of the year in its sweet fruit and pronounced alcohol, but avoids the angular contours that afflict so many wines. Even with all of that richness, the 2018 retains a good bit of freshness and energy. An opened bottle was still vibrant after a number of days whereas many other wines in the same tasting faded far faster. The 2018 is a very fine effort from one of Barolo's artisan growers, but readers have to be willing to accept elevated ripeness and alcohol.

Vinous (93)

The 2018 Barolo Paiagallo is laced with kirsch, sweet spice, new leather, menthol and rose petal. Exotic and super-ripe, the 2018 shows all the warmth of the year in its sweet fruit and pronounced alcohol, but avoids the angular contours that afflict so many wines. Even with all of that richness, the 2018 retains a good bit of freshness and energy. An opened bottle was still vibrant after a number of days whereas many other wines in the same tasting faded far faster. The 2018 is a very fine effort from one of Barolo's artisan growers, but readers have to be willing to accept elevated ripeness and alcohol.

Jane Anson Inside Bordeaux (94)

Pale but vibrant ruby in colour, from 6.5ha of 45 year old vines on the northern slopes of Etna at 750m. So fragrant it’s crazy, soft raspberry and cranberry fruits, this is far more intense on the nose than you expect from the colour. Very approachable, easy to enjoy, fragrant with rolling waves of summer fruits, orange peel and earthy dried herbs. No need to wait to drink this, although you feel gentle tannins guiding your way through the palate. Easy to recommend this wine from Davide Rosse (originally from Piedmont, and you can see something of the delicacy of nebbiolo here, the whisper of a variety that specialises in gentle persuasion). Aged in an array of differently sized French oak barrels and casks. Got to be the best value wine of the September Releases.

The Giulia Negri Barbera d'Alba 2018 is an exceptional instantiation of the Piedmontese tradition. Handcrafted in the verdant slopes of La Morra, this ruby-hued Barbera captures the essence of North Italy's rich terroir, punctuated by Giulia Negri's signature elegance. Born from Nebbiolo and Barbera grapes fastidiously grown in superior limestone-clay soils, and aged meticulously for 12 months in large Slavonian oak barrels, this vintage exhibits a sublime balance of robust character with a velvety finish.

Discerning palates will note exotic depths of wild cherry and spice harmoniously layered atop minerally undertones. This is a tribute to the winemaking sophistication of Giulia Negri, often referred to as the 'Barolo Girl', whose deep respect for nature and timeless techniques result in wines hailed for their pure intensity and finesse. In every bottle of Giulia Negri Barbera d'Alba 2018, you savour not just a fine wine, but a piece of Italian winemaking heritage.

Wine Advocate (93)

From a vineyard site in La Morra, the 2018 Barolo Serradenari boasts a very bright and lifted bouquet that is colored by tart raspberry, wild blueberry, exotic spice and hints of campfire ash. La Morra is recognized for its fine and silky tannins, and this vintage delivers those with a little more emphasis.

Wine Advocate (93)

From a vineyard site in La Morra, the 2018 Barolo Serradenari boasts a very bright and lifted bouquet that is colored by tart raspberry, wild blueberry, exotic spice and hints of campfire ash. La Morra is recognized for its fine and silky tannins, and this vintage delivers those with a little more emphasis.

Wine Advocate (93)

From a vineyard site in La Morra, the 2018 Barolo Serradenari boasts a very bright and lifted bouquet that is colored by tart raspberry, wild blueberry, exotic spice and hints of campfire ash. La Morra is recognized for its fine and silky tannins, and this vintage delivers those with a little more emphasis.

Delve into sophistication and enjoy the sublime qualities of the Giulia Negri Langhe Pian Delle Mole Nebbiolo 2018. Revered as 'Barolo's Lady', Giulia Negri crafts premium wines in the Serradenari vineyard atop La Morra's highest point in the Barolo region of Italy. Employing organic practices and manual harvesting, she manifests all the distinctiveness of the Nebbiolo grape and the uniqueness of its new generation wine-making style.

This Nebbiolo 2018 exhibits enticing layers of fruit that strike a harmonious balance with the rich, earthy undertones. Its luminous, ruby-red profile reveals an elegant and complex array of cherries, violets, spices and a touch of smokiness. With soft tannins and a notable acidity, it demonstrates an excellent balance and a long, lingering finish, perfect for pairing with hearty meals.

The Giulia Negri Langhe Pian Delle Mole Nebbiolo 2018 truly showcases the embodiment of a Barolo 'queen' crafting a modern expression of an Italian classic.

Vinous (93)

The 2018 Barbaresco Rabajà is surprisingly accessible for a wine that tends to be much more backward in the early going. Spice, blood orange and star anise give the aromatics tremendous expansiveness. On the palate, the 2018 is pliant and sweet, with lovely purity in its red-toned fruit. I am intrigued to see how it develops in bottle.

Jeb Dunnuck (97)

Translucent ruby, the 2018 Barolo Monprivato is open and giving in its perfume of dried apricot, orange peel, saline earth, and raspberry. It is medium-bodied, with ultra-fine tannins, it is an elegant red revealing notes of wild strawberries, cardamom, and salty soil. A very pretty style, it is drinking beautifully now. Drink 2023-2040.

Vinous (94)

The 2018 Barolo Tre Tine is a super-classic wine. It reminds me so much of a wine Beppe Rinaldi might have made. Readers will find an austere, taut Barolo built on energy and tension more than primary fruit. It's the sort of Barolo that blossoms only with time in bottle. Spice, cedar, sweet pipe tobacco, dried cherry, macerated red cherry and anise start to open with a bit of coaxing. This is an intriguing wine, to say the least.

Vinous (95)

Rinaldi's 2018 Barolo Brunate is one of the more satisfying wines of the vintage. Austere, medium in body and classic in feel, with that extra bit of textural resonance that is such a Brunate signature, the 2018 has real potential. Dark cherry, melted road tar, tobacco, spice, menthol, sage and licorice all build in the glass. The 2018 is going to need a few years to soften and start hitting its stride, but all the ingredients are there. It's a powerhouse, that much is certain.