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"This is a very special library release. The 2016 vintage is one of the greatest of our lifetime. A forward-thinking family estate, known for their impeccably balanced and polished Barolos, agreed to release a small parcel of their classic 2016 from their cellars for us. Now with years of perfect cellaring, this wine is entering its prime. The tannins have resolved into silk, revealing complex notes of dried cherry, tar, leather, and cocoa. It is a harmonious, complete, and utterly classic Barolo that is ready to drink tonight. A rare chance to enjoy a perfectly aged wine without having to wait."

Rose, mint and a whiff of forest floor accent primary aromas of ripe red berry on the gorgeous 2021 Capalot from rising star Cristian Boffa. Made with grapes grown in the Capalot MGA in La Morra, the elegant, vibrant palate delivers ripe raspberry, succulent red cherry, cinnamon stick and licorice accompanied by taut, refined tannins. Bright acidity keeps it well balanced and loaded with energy. (KO)

The 2019 Clendenen Family Vineyards “The Pip” Santa Maria Valley Nebbiolo (Winery Direct Library Release) is absolutely lovely to sip. As I write this, it’s late at night, and I’m having it with crackers and some cold leftover steak after receiving it as a reward from an esteemed K&L colleague for catching (and later releasing in the wooded area of my backyard) a massive wolf spider in her bathroom. I wasn’t planning on drinking wine or even eating dinner, but I couldn’t resist opening this bottle as soon as I got home. After the first sip, I felt more than fairly compensated for my efforts. Black plum, juicy berries, dried rose petals, lemon balm, rooibos tea, and a subtle tarry note unfold across the palate, with a stony mineral quality adding another layer of complexity. It’s light on its feet, with food-friendly acidity and the kind of easygoing character that makes it just as enjoyable with a few casual snacks as it is at the dinner table. At full price, it’s an excellent value. At more than 45% off right now, it’s a screaming deal. Buy this for dinner with friends who know and love wine, particularly fans of the late, great Jim Clendenen and Au Bon Climat. As a library release from such a storied producer, it’s the kind of bottle your host or fellow guests will appreciate without ever knowing how little you paid for it. True to Italian tradition, “The Pip” spent three years aging in large 500-liter Hungarian oak puncheons, followed by another year in bottle before its original release. It has now had an additional seven years to rest and is still going strong, a thoughtful and elegantly rendered expression of Nebbiolo. Dog lovers may also get a kick out of the fact that the Pip series is named for Jim’s beloved late Border Collie, Pip. I can’t help smiling at the thought of the two of them being together again. I like to think that all dogs and great winemakers go to heaven.

Just bottled, the 2024 Langhe Nebbiolo is a terrific choice for drinking now and over the next handful of years. Crushed flowers, sweet red-toned fruit, mint, cedar, pipe tobacco and crushed flowers are beautifully lifted. This mid-weight, classy Langhe Nebbiolo is all charm. (AG)

The 2025 Il Rosato mixes vivid nectarine and navel orange with hints of tarragon and sweet smoke to form its compelling bouquet. It's soft textured with a stimulating core of acidity and sour citrus tones to balance, as a saline mineral saturation adds salivating tension toward the close. It tapers off with excellent length and clarity, leaving flinty notes and a lemony concentration that has me looking back to the glass for more. The magic of Nebbiolo Rosato is on full display. (BN)

My favorite wine of the flight, the Barale Fratelli 2021 Barolo del Comune di Barolo hints at some of the savory notes (like cured meat and dried tobacco leaf) that we saw in the rest of the range; however, this wine has a stronger and fresher fruit side with cherry and blackberry. It is fermented in stainless steel and matured in French botti for 30 months. (ML)

Bid on this 2-bottle tasting lot; including 1-bottle of 2016 Albino Rocca "Ronchi" Barbaresco (96KO, 96WE, 96WS, 95DC, 95VN, 94JS, 93RP) and 1-bottle of 2016 Nada Fiorenzo "Rombone" Barbaresco (96VN, 95WS). Of the 2016 Albino Rocca "Ronchi" Barbaresco, Wine Enthusiast writes: "Forest floor, new leather, underbrush and eucalyptus aromas mingle with a whiff of peppercorn. On the full-bodied, focused palate, tightly knit, noble tannins and bright acidity frame juicy Morello cherry, licorice, tobacco and a hint of truffle. Drink 2026-2036. (KO) *Cellar Selection*" (09/2019)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 1982 Renato Ratti "Marcenasco" Barolo (90WS). Wine Spectator: "A fairly elegant style with lots of tea, tar, truffle and chocolate flavors that are highly extracted. It's got plenty of tannin but it's very well balanced." (06/1987)

Bid on this 3-bottle tasting lot; including 2-bottles of 1982 Aldo Conterno "Bussia Soprana" Barolo and 1-bottle of 1985 Aldo Conterno "Bussia Soprana" Barolo. Of the 1982 Aldo Conterno "Bussia Soprana" Barolo, Wine Advocate writes: "Surprisingly ready to drink, this open knit, precocious Barolo exhibits textbook aromas of melted road tar, roses, and dried cherry fruit. There is not a hard edge to be found in this silky textured, expansively flavored, rich, fat, chewy Barolo. Concentrated and spicy..." (12/1992)

Bid on this 2-bottle tasting lot; including 1-bottle of 1998 Rocche dei Barbari "Alivio" Barbaresco Riserva and 1-bottle of 2003 Rocche dei Barbari "Alivio" Barbaresco Riserva.

Bid on this bottle of 1990 Paolo Scavino "Cannubi" Barolo (95RP, 95VN, 93WS). Vinous: "Medium burnished ruby. The 1990 is a racy, irresistible Barolo that offers a rich, alcoholic nose of spices, minerals, mint, and eucalyptus. It is dense and packed on the palate with much intense, ripe fruit in round and immediate style, finishing with great length. Readers lucky enough to own this wine should feel in no hurry to finish their bottles, this 1990 shows plenty of structure and was still outstanding on the second day after opening. (AG)" (10/2005)

Bid on this bottle of 1990 Gaja "Sperss" Barolo (96JD, 96VN, 95RP). Vinous: "Gaja's 1990 Barolo Sperss is a sweet, seamless beauty endowed with gorgeous fruit. The wine possesses superb inner perfume and purity even if it doesn't quite reach the level of Gaja's most successful wines in this vintage. Still, this is pure 1990 and pure Serralunga. (AG)" (02/2010)

Bid on this 2-bottle lot of 1989 Ceretto "Bricco Asili" Barbaresco .

Bid on this bottle of 1990 Bruno Giacosa "Falletto di Serralunga" Barolo Riserva (98RP, 96VN). Wine Advocate: "I remember paying what at the time seemed like a small fortune for bottles of Giacosa’s 1990 Barolo Riserva Falletto at Peck’s Enoteca in Milan. What I would give today to be able to buy more at the same tariff! The 1990 Barolo Riserva Falletto is one of Bruno Giacosa’s most towering wines. Period. Rich, layered and opulent, this mineral-driven, powerful Barolo covers every inch of the palate with masses of dark fruit, smoke, soy, plums, menthol, dried roses, pine and a host of other balsamic overtones. This vivid, kaleidoscopic Barolo is a reference-point wine readers won’t want to miss. As always, the Riserva Falletto is virile and authoritative in tone. Simply put, it its profound. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2030. (AG)" (02/2010)

Bid on this 7-bottle lot; including 7-bottles of 1989 Parusso "Bussia" Barolo - Notes of tar, sweet spices, dried roses, and dark plums. Richly textured structure featuring complex dark fruit, dried flowers, and traditional firm tannins softened by extended bottle maturation.

For our classic Barolo, I turned to a rising-star estate whose meticulous vineyard work in the stunning 2021 vintage produced a wine of incredible purity and elegance. This is the definition of a "discovery." The wine offers soaring aromatics of pure red fruits—crushed raspberry, cherry, and rose petal—with a vibrant, energetic palate supported by fine, silky tannins. It’s a beautifully transparent and fragrant Barolo that captures the finesse of the vintage. It’s a chance to get in on the ground floor with a future star of the region.

Aromas of rose, camphor, wet stone and botanical herb form the alluring nose on the 2021 Comune di La Morra from Cristian Boffa. Aged in large Slavonian casks, the taut, full-bodied palate offers dried cherry, blood orange and star anise alongside tightly wound, fine-grained tannins. (KO)

The Massolino 2021 Barolo reveals a shiny ruby color and a core of dark fruit. Beyond the plummy fruit is tar, licorice, pressed flower and campfire ash. This wine has a pronounced savory side, yet it all fits squarely into a very delicate and finessed delivery. This is a pretty example of the vintage. (ML)

Restrained, fresh and sleek, showing watermelon, mints, potpourri and deep embers with vibrant strawberries and blood oranges. Incredibly elegant on the palate, with smooth, graceful tannins despite the full body, density and tense acidity. Dried-flower flavors are persistent and savory. Harmonious. October 2026 release. Drink then or hold. (AF)

Sotto Nebbia, "under the fog," takes its name from the nebbia that settles over the Langhe in late October, when Nebbiolo is finally picked, and the label exists to do one thing: bottle a Langhe Nebbiolo that tastes of its hills rather than of a cellar. The fruit comes from Monforte d'Alba, inside the Barolo appellation, on the compact, sandstone-laced marls of the Lequio formation that give the commune its grip, and the wine is raised like a Barolo in miniature: twelve months in wood, then three months in bottle before release, a longer élevage than most Langhe Nebbiolo ever sees.

This wine opens with aromas of sour cherry, raspberry, rose and roasted earth giving way to a palate that is elegant and refined. Mixed red fruits dance with savory spice, herbs and underbrush finished by fine tannins and balanced acidity. (JP)

A graceful wine with cinnamon, earth, strawberries, sweet violets and leesy complexity. There is a lot of fruit depth, with a full body, lifted acidity and dense, ripe, velvety tannins. The finish is polished yet tight. Drinkable now, but best from 2027. (AF)

This youthful Nebbiolo from Poderi Luigi Einaudi has a very pretty nose full of rose petal, pomegranate, and warm earth notes. On the palate, this wine is bright and high acid, and has flavors of blackberry, cranberry, and pomegranate, framed by a chalky, medium tannin structure. This bottle would make a great partner to anything rich and fatty as it has the acidity to cut through anything you pair with it!

The wine displays a super beautiful color, with a translucent ruby hue. Aromas of very pretty wild red berries, licorice and sweet and savory spice captivate the senses. The palate is truly delightful, with the fruit shining through initially, followed by earthy notes, such as truffle. Superfine tannins contribute to its overall elegance. Enjoy from now–2040. *Editors' Choice* (JP)

Bid on this 2-bottle tasting lot; including 1-bottle of 2001 Gaja "Costa Russi" Nebbiolo Langhe (95ST, 95WE, 95WS, 94RP) and 1-bottle of 2001 Gaja "Sperss" Nebbiolo Langhe (95JD, 95RP, 95VN, 93WS). Of the 2001 Gaja "Costa Russi" Nebbiolo Langhe, Wine Enthusiast writes: "Darker, richer and earthier than Gaja’s Barbaresco, picking up notes of coffee, vanilla and toast as well. Yet on the palate there’s wonderfully bright cherry-raspberry fruit and masses of lush, velvety tannins that will give this wine plenty of life in the cellar. " (07/2005)

Bid on this 3-bottle tasting lot; including 1 2013 Produttori del Barbaresco "Asili" Barbaresco Riserva (97VN, 96DC, 96RP, 96WE, 95WS), 1 2013 Produttori del Barbaresco "Pajè" Barbaresco Riserva (97WE, 96VN, 94WS, 93RP), and 1 2013 Produttori del Barbaresco "Rabajà" Barbaresco Riserva (97WE, 96RP, 96VN, 96WS). Of the 2013 Produttori del Barbaresco "Asili" Barbaresco Riserva, Vinous writes: "Absolutely stunning in every way, the 2013 Barbaresco Riserva Asili is also the most complete wine in the lineup at this stage. Floral, lifted and exquisitely beautiful, the 2013 speaks to regal elegance and finesse above all else. Silky tannins add to an impression of total sensuality. At this stage, there is almost no impression of tannin, as the wine is so impeccably balanced. The 2013 shuts down quickly in the glass, which may suggest it is headed for a long period of dormancy. Readers who can find the Asili should not miss it, as it is truly sublime. (AG)" (10/2017)

Bid on this 3-bottle tasting lot; including 1-bottle of 2016 Cantina del Pino "Ovello" Barbaresco (98WE, 96DC, 96WS, 95RP, 94VN), 1-bottle of 2016 Cantina del Pino Barbaresco (95VN, 94KO, 94RP, 94WE, 94WS), and 1-bottle of 2016 Tenuta Roncaglia "Roncaglie" Barbaresco (95VN, 95WE, 93JG). Of the 2016 Cantina del Pino "Ovello" Barbaresco, Wine Enthusiast writes: "Rose, iris, woodland berry and crushed mint aromas shape the irresistible nose on this radiant, classy red. Showing a remarkable combination of structure, elegance and pedigree, the delicious, focused palate delivers juicy red cherry, raspberry compote, star anise and an almost salty minerality while firm but ultrarefined tannins provide seamless support. Bright acidity bestows impeccable balance and youthful tension. *Cellar Selection* (KO)" (01/2020)

Bid on this 3-bottle tasting lot; including 1-bottle of 2010 Elvio Cogno "Ravera" Barolo (96DC, 95VN, 95WE, 94WS, 93JS, 93RP), 1-bottle of 2010 Oddero Barolo (95JS, 94WE, 93IWR, 93WS, 91DC, 91RP), and 1-bottle of 2010 Parusso "Le Coste di Monforte" Barolo (95JS, 95WS, 92VN). Of the 2010 Elvio Cogno "Ravera" Barolo, Decanter writes: "The highly revered 2010 vintage saw moderate temperatures with marked diurnal differences here, leading to a harvest of ripe, healthy fruit in mid-October. This is also the year Fissore introduced organic practices in his vineyards. Still fresh and youthful, it demonstrates exceptional focus of mint, forest herbs and rose. It's a powerfully structured thoroughbred with succulent acidity that lifts and carries the wine to a long, savoury finish. This is brilliantly proportioned and stately. (MM)" (05/2017)

Riserva is a stunning, generous wine, with great aromas and layers of delicious flavors including succulent raspberry, Morello cherry, star anise and blood orange. While it’s already immensely enjoyable, it also has a long life ahead. (KO)

Aromas of woodland berry, underbrush, hazelnut and camphor form the nose along with a whiff of rose petal on this captivating, delicious wine. The full-bodied, structured palate is still young and primary but already shows raspberry compote, ripe Marasca cherry, star anise, tobacco and the barest hint of game . Tightly knit, noble tannins and fresh acidity provide the firm frame and impart serious aging potential. Hold for even more complexity. (KO)

The aromas to this are really impressive with crushed berries, dried flowers, walnuts and roses. Metamorphoses all the time. Full to medium body, characterized by a fantastic mouthfeel of ripe and round tannins that are always polished and beautiful. Magnificent harmony and purity.

The 2020 Barbaresco Morassino is laced with hints of dried cherry, cedar, pipe tobacco, mint, orange peel and spice. Already quite open and expressive, the 2020 is a fine choice for drinking now and over the next handful of years. All the elements are so well balanced in this gracious, mid-weight Barbaresco from Cascina Morassino. Pretty floral overtones and bright acids lift the elegant finish. (AG)

The 2021 Barolo Ginestra Casa Mate displays a bit more ruby and deeper pigment in the glass and has notes of raspberry liqueur, sweet sage, pressed flowers, cedar, and licorice. It’s very pretty on the nose and carries more sapidity to the palate while also retaining lovely purity, with ripe tannins, slightly broader shoulders, and a long finish. Both of the Barolo have a tremendous amount to offer, but with distinctive personalities, and for my taste, this one has a slight edge. (I also wouldn’t be surprised if that were to flip with a different mood and tasting.) The perfumes of both the wines are exceptional in this fantastic vintage. Drink 2027-2057. (AF)

Ripe cherries and plum skin with hints of cocoa, dark spices, mushrooms and sandalwood on the nose. Firm and structured with a medium to full body. Shows tension and good volume, with succulent fruit in the middle. Better after two to three years. (AS)

A very exuberant yet delicate nose of rose petals, clementine peel and raspberries. The palate is medium-bodied with supple red fruit and silky tannins. Very pleasant. Drink now or hold. (JS)

The legendary Pasquero-Elia family, the visionary minds behind the historic Paitin estate in Barbaresco, have embarked on a thrilling new chapter with their "Bianchi" venture. While Paitin has been a cornerstone of traditional winemaking in Neive since 1796, the Bianchi project serves as a fresh, modern canvas for the family to explore vibrant new expressions of their beloved Piedmontese terroir. This Rosato is a masterclass in the versatility of the noble Nebbiolo grape. While their Barbaresco demands years of patient cellaring, this wine is designed to capture the grape's youthful, immediate energy. Sourced from the Langhe's famous calcareous-clay soils, the fruit is harvested specifically for rosé production to maintain high acidity, undergoing just a brief, delicate maceration to extract a perfect kiss of color without the heavy tannins. As the weather warms up, this is exactly what you want chilling in the fridge. It pours a brilliant, pale salmon hue. The nose trades Nebbiolo's brooding dark notes for a bright, springtime bouquet of wild strawberry, white peach, and crushed rose petals. On the palate, it is crisp, bone-dry, and electric, finishing with a savory, mineral snap. It is the ultimate seasonal aperitivo and a gorgeous pairing for fresh goat cheese or a vibrant spring pea risotto.

A restrained and fresh wine focused on licorice, red currants, violets and watermelon. It’s almost zesty in acidity, with a tight palate, a medium body and dusty yet ripe, lightly framed tannins. Drinkable now, but best from 2026. (AF)

If the brilliant 2021 Barolo is the benchmark for value and precise terroir expression, the 2024 Langhe Nebbiolo is the ultimate everyday proof of Matteo Ascheri's no-nonsense approach. This is exactly what entry-level Nebbiolo should be: pure, unmanipulated, and completely stripped of any commercial makeup. The nose is incredibly open and fragrant, immediately mirroring the ethereal qualities of his Barolo. . It is undeniably one of the smartest, most expressive everyday Nebbiolos on the market.

The 2022 Giacomo Borgogno Langhe Nebbiolo is a fresh, vibrant, and approachable expression of the varietal from a historic producer. The nose is aromatic and "ethereal," featuring wild red plum, pomegranate, and rose petals with savory hints of white pepper and scrubby herbs. On the palate, it is medium-bodied and harmonious, balancing juicy red fruit with fine, present tannins and a bright acidity. The finish is clean and persistent, showing a classic "tar and roses" character in a more accessible, early-drinking style.

The depth and beauty of this are so enticing and attractive that you want to drink the whole bottle. It’s medium- to full-bodied with cherries, strawberries and white truffles. Juicy and precise, with a real presence and complexity as it opens. Best after 2027, but already gorgeous. (JS)

Ripe dark-skinned fruit, cardamom, violet and new leather aromas lift out of the glass on this full-bodied, fragrant red. Structured and elegant, the enveloping palate offers ripe black cherry, crushed raspberry, nutmeg and star anise wrapped in firm, fine-grained tannins. Fresh acidity keeps it balanced.

Delicate rose petals and wild berries float above warm earth notes, while threads of dried herbs weave through the background. A bright core of strawberry and sour cherry delivers a perfect 10 performance, balancing the warm vintage's plumpness with the kind of poise and precision that would make an Olympic gymnast jealous. (JP)

Founded in 1878 by Emanuele Alberto di Mirafiore, son of Italy’s King Vittorio Emanuele II, Casa E. di Mirafiore has deep roots in Piedmont’s Barolo country. Its 2018 Barolo is made from Nebbiolo, the sole grape permitted in this appellation in the Langhe hills.

The 2024 Langhe Nebbiolo pours a bright red color and opens with fresh aromas of raspberries and dusty earth in a beautifully classic expression of the vintage. Medium-bodied, it is balanced and refreshing, with fine tannins and snappy notes of orange peel that carry through the finish. Production was unusually large this year, with roughly 180,000 bottles produced. Drink 2026-2038. (AF)

The 2021 Barbaresco Costa Russi is a jeweled ruby color and is bright with fresh herbs, mint, cherries, thyme, and freshly dried earth. It has good volume and ripe structure on the palate and is long and cooling, with a note of fresh lavender. It also has a great, mouthwatering mineral tone with a more linear feel, but it’s powerful at the same time, with the sanguine and ripe blood orange notes that are shared across the vintage. It needs time, but wow, is it worth snapping up! (AF)

The 2018 Donnas opens slowly in the glass with a pretty display of violets and rose, a whiff of exotic spice, wet stone and wild berries. It’s silky and round in texture, with a dense and savory wave of red and black fruits that saturate the senses. Inner florals and anise linger over a twang of sour citrus, as this tapers off lightly structured yet long, leaving a hint of plum and a peppery flourish. Lovers of cool-climate Nebbiolo will love this Valle d’Aosta take on the variety. (EG)

Bid on this 3-bottle lot of 2008 Roberto Voerzio "La Serra" Barolo (96VN, 95WS). Vinous: "The 2008 Barolo La Serra emerges from the glass with dark red fruit, tar, smoke, licorice, spices and new leather. Today the 2008 comes across as surprisingly dark and masculine. The high-toned floral notes that are typical of this site have been replaced by a much darker, brooding register filled with tar, incense and black fruit notes. The wine freshens up beautifully with time in the glass as the aromatics become a bit more expressive. Voerzio's 2008 La Serra is a huge and hugely promising wine. The firm tannins argue for at least a few more years in bottle. A hint of rose petal lingers on the intese finish. (AG) 96+" (04/2012)

Bid on this 2-bottle tasting lot; including 1-bottle of 2004 Conterno Fantino "Vigna Del Gris" Barolo (93RP, 93VN, 92WS) and 1-bottle of 2006 Conterno Fantino "Sorì Ginestra" Barolo (95RP, 95ST, 93JS, 92WS). Of the 2006 Conterno Fantino "Sorì Ginestra" Barolo, Wine Advocate writes: "The estate’s 2006 Barolo Sori Ginestra is massive and intense. Layers of aromatic nuance and complexity are backed up with powerful, dense fruit. Today the wine is quite understandably painfully young, and patience is required for the tannins to soften, but this is a highly promising Barolo. With time in the glass, the signature notes of menthol, spices, pine and minerals gain focus and clarity, giving a hint of what is in store for the future. (AG)" (02/2010)