2011 Barolo Garblet Sue

Cask sample. Looks especially mature – pale fox red. Fairly mild nose but not that much focus on the palate. Just a little bit too much like boiled sweets for my taste though it certainly couldn’t be anything other than Nebbiolo… Pretty drying finish, almost grating. (JR)

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.

An intense, powerful wine, the 2011 Barolo Garblèt Sue’ takes hold of all the senses with its rich, textured fruit. Smoke, iron, tobacco and red fruits sit on a big, tannic frame. As always, the tannins are quite prominent, but in 2011 there is also considerable fruit to provide balance. The Garblèt Sue’ is burly and powerful, with perhaps less finesse than the other Barolos, but then again, the competition is pretty intense at this cellar.