Ian D'Agata's top 10 Cannubi wines

Brezza, Cannubi 2010
Decanter average score: 18.5/20pts (95/100pts)

Price: £33 Fine & Rare
Drink: 2019-2030
Alc: 14.5%

A remarkable wine from a can’t-miss vintage: sleek, graceful, perfumed. Enzo Brezza produces an archetypal Cannubi each vintage.


Paolo Scavino, Cannubi 2010
Decanter average score: 18.5/20pts (95/100pts)

Price: £51 Fine & Rare
Drink: 2019-2030
Alc: 14.5%

As good as the Rocche dell’Annunziata Riserva is, Scavino’s Cannubi has become his best wine, blending grace and power as only Cannubi can do.

Cascina Bruciata, Cannubi Muscatel 2009
Decanter average score: 18/20pts (93/100pts)

Price: n/A UK www.cascinabruciata.it
Drink: 2015-2026
Alc: 14.5%

Very small production for a small gem: delicate aromas and supple flavours of small red berries, minerals and roses. Very silky; readier than most.


Ceretto, Cannubi San Lorenzo 2004
Decanter average score: 18/20pts (93/100pts)

Price: n/A UK www.ceretto.com
Drink: 2015-2030
Alc: 14.5%

A fantastic new wine by Ceretto (’03 was the first vintage). Pristine, refined notes of rosehips, sour red cherries and minerals. Cask samples of future vintages are even better.


E Pira & Figli, Chiara Boschis, Cannubi 2009
Decanter average score: 18/20pts (93/100pts)

Price: £42–£56 AG Wines, Berry Bros & Rudd, Exel, Fine & Rare, Lay & Wheeler, Swig
Drink: 2019-2030
Alc: 14.5%

Chiara Boschis’ wines seem less oaky than they used to be – a good thing. A very pure, floral rendition of Cannubi.


Virna, Cannubi Boschis 2004
Decanter average score: 18/20pts (93/100pts)

Price: £35 Colombier Vins Fins
Drink: 2015-2030
Alc: 14.5%

This up-and-coming estate has probably never made a better wine than the 2009 Cannubi Boschis, but this 2004 smartly showcases the power and flesh of the sub-zone.


Damilano, Cannubi 2005
Decanter average score: 17.75/20pts (91/100pts)

Price: £44 Mondial
Drink: 2016-2028
Alc: 14.5%

From an underrated vintage, red berries, roses and a hint of sweet spices in a slightly fleshier version of Cannubi; readier to drink than most.


Francesco Rinaldi, Cannubi 2009
Decanter average score: 17.75/20pts (92/100pts)

Price: £36-£43 AG Wines, Astrum, Fine & Rare
Drink: 2017-2029
Alc: 14.5%

Medium-bodied, with pure, precise red berry, tar and rose petal notes in a very well balanced, silky package.


Michele Chiarlo, Cannubi 2009
Decanter average score: 17.5/20pts (91/100pts)

Price: n/A UK www.michelechiarlo.it
Drink: 2019-2030
Alc: 14.5%

Chiarlo’s other Barolos are widely available, but the Cannubi is his best wine: more refined and perfumed, and less chewy than Cerequio, another very famous cru.


Serio e Battista Borgogno, Cannubi 2007
Decanter average score: 17/20pts (90/100pts)

Price: £70.67 Friarwood
Drink: 2015-2025
Alc: 14.5%

The 2007 is a warm year but this Cannubi performs admirably with fleshier, richer red fruit flavours than usual.


Source: http://www.decanter.com/wine/labels/34482/slideshow/1/ian-d-agata-s-top-10-cannubi-wines#slideshow

Some 80's Wine For You

Wine improve with age? Check out our list of wine from the 80's.

Baron Philippe De Rothschild Château Mouton Baronne Philippe 1982
Baron Philippe De Rothschild , Bordeaux, France
Rating: 4.5stars; 93points

Initial bottle stink wafts to deliver complex notes. Very interesting. Mint, leather, mature cassis and loads more.


Fieuzal Pessac-Léognan Blanc 1983
Château de Fieuza, Graves, France
Grape Varietals: Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon
Rating: 4.0stars; 91points

Bit shy but no hint of oxidation on nose. Palate long and youthful.


Taupenot-Merme Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru 1983
Domaine Taupenot-Merme, Bourgogne, France
Grape Varietals: Pinot Noir
Rating: 4.5stars; 94points

Initial burgundy stink slowly gives way to Complex aged pinot notes with brioche and spice. Later some floral notes.


Vega Sicilia Ribera Del Duero Unico 1986
Vega Sicilia s.a., Castilla y León, Spain
Grape Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Merlot, Tempranillo
Rating: 4.5stars; 94points

Complex array of aromatic red fruit notes with some rustic leather like hints. Palate follows nose delivered on a bed of firmish tannins. Good length.


Fieuzal Pessac-Léognan Blanc 1987
Château de Fieuza, Graves, France
Grape Varietals: Sauvignon Blanc, Sémillon
Rating: 4.0stars; 92points

Aromatic and very pretty and youthful nose. Palate very youthful but acid slightly apart.


Rausan-Segla Grand Cru Classé Margaux 1988
Château Rausan-Ségla, Bordeaux, France
Grape Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot
Rating: 3.5stars; 90points

Meaty and semi-dense with soft tannins. Old leather and forest floor notes dominate. Hint of mint and sweaty armpits too.


Fieuzal Péssac-Leognan Granc Cru Classé De Graves 1989
Château de Fieuza, Graves, France
Grape Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot
Rating: 4.5stars; 94points

Dark ruby garnet with a prominent brick rim. Immediately delivers serious wafts of tobacco, gravel and cigar box over cassis. Fresh, layered and complex. Evolution introduced lovely compot like secondary notes. Immensely enjoyable. This bottle bought at the cellar so provenance is prestine.


Bourillon Dorleans La Coulée D'Argent Vouvray Vieilles Vigne 1989
Domaine Bourillon Dorléans, Loire, France
Grape Varietals: Chenin Blanc
Rating: 4.0stars; 92points

Complex. Botrytised. youthful.


Georges Noëllat Vosne-Romanée 1989
Georges Noëllat, Bourgogne, France
Grape Varietals: Pinot Noir
Rating: 3.5stars; 90points

After a dismal performance by the GC from the same Village and Vintage, this one immediately launches itself at your nostrils with pinot perfume and a hint of spice. Quite short but very pleasing for a 24 year old village. Does fade rather quickly tho


Georges Noëllat Grands Echezeaux 1989
Georges Noëllat, Bourgogne, France
Grape Varietals: Pinot Noir
Rating: 3.5stars; 89points

4.2.14 tasting. Not oxidised but seems past its best. Complex genteel cherry like notes wrapped in mild sweet spice. 5.12.16.7=90 Dec 2013-This one showing heavy oxidative notes on opening. Cork also displays minimal exposure to wine hinting upright storage for prolonged period. Sad as this wine ever so often displays Vosne Romanee prowess and finesse. Could have been so much more.

The Year 2000 Series

Pichon-Longueville Pichon-Baron Pauillac 2000
Château Pichon-Longueville, Bordeaux, France
Grape Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot
Rating: 4.5stars; 94points

Good breadth and depth of flavours. Complex balanced and long. Great ageing potential (20yrs).


Leflaive Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 2000
Domaine Leflaive, Bourgogne, France
Grape Varietals: Chardonnay
Rating: 4.5stars; 93points

Balanced long complex minerally citrus notes with a hint of butterscotch. Wonderfully textured mouthfeel


Pichon-Longueville Pauillac Réserve De La Comtesse 2000
Château Pichon-Longueville, Medoc, France
Grape Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot
Rating: 3.5stars; 90points

Elegant layered cassis with mocha dominating initially. Tasted blind reminded me of a Pichon Lallande but the mocha was overpowering. This tapered off to deliver a much more delightful offering.


Lascombes Margaux Grand Cru Classé 2000
Château Lascombes, Medoc, France
Grape Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Carmenérè
Rating: 4.0stars; 92points

Initial Bordeaux stink gives way to complex cassis with Bdx minerality and strong oak support. Fruit waning but balance still good. Dense and with soft tannins.


Alain Brumont Frimaire Pacherenc Du Vic Bilh 2000
Alain Brumont, Sud-Ouest, France
Grape Varietals: Petit Manseng
Rating: 3.5stars; 90points

Good balance and decent complexity


Teyssier Saint-Émilion Grand Cru 2000
Château Teyssier, Bordeaux, France
Grape Varietals: Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Rating: 3.5stars; 90points

A hint of oxidation masking the lovely mature bordeaux notes. Suspect storage issues but still a delectable wine


Kanonkop Paul Sauer 2000
Kanonkop Estate, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Grape Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot
Rating: 4.5stars; 93points

13 years on and still a baby. Deep, pungent and intense cassis dominate the long palate. Hints of tobacco and cedar with a touch of moccha provide complexity. A unique new world wine within grasp of perfection save for a lack of the harmony that exudes from pedigree old world wines. Easily 10 years in reserve.


Faustino Rioja I Gran Reserva 2000
Bodegas, La Rioja, Spain
Grape Varietals: Tempranillo, Mazuelo, Graciano
Rating: 4.0stars; 91points

Initially nose brett. laden but this eases with time to reveal soft complex vanillin coated red cherries. Palate expressive complex and layered from onset and slowly opens a bit more with time.


Bachelet Vieilles Vigne Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru 2000
Domaine Bachelet, Côte de Nuits, France
Grape Varietals: Pinot Noir
Rating: 4.5stars; 93points

Clean and long complex pinot red cherry notes. Great purity


Pichon-Longueville Les Tourelles De Longueville Pauillac 2000
Château Pichon-Longueville, Bordeaux, France
Grape Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot
Rating: 3.0stars; 88points

Mocha on nose. Much lighter on palate. Drink soon.


Beaucastel Hommage A Jacques Perrin 2000
Château De Beaucastel, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France
Grape Varietals: Mourvedre, Shiraz/Syrah, Grenache Noir, Cinsault
Rating: 4.0stars; 91points

Brett.? On nose and palate. Wild bouquet of floral, raspberry and mushrooms. Bad bottle?


Ponsot Clos de La Roche Cuvée Vieilles Vigne 2000
Domaine Ponsot, Bourgogne, France
Grape Varietals: Pinot Noir
Rating: 4.5stars; 94points

Deep pinot strawberry/cherry greet on 1st pour. Great depth and complexity without the farmyard notes. Will go for another 10 years.


Cave De Nolay Chambolle-Musigny 2000
Cave De Nolay, Bourgogne, France
Grape Varietals: Pinot Noir
Rating: 3.5stars

Niced aged village burg. hint oxidative at start but not unpleasant. Hint of spice adds complexity


Seghesio Vigneto La Villa Barolo 2000
Aldo E Riccardo Seghesio, Langhe, Italy
Grape Varietals: Nebbiolo
Rating: 3.5stars; 89points

Mellow and balanced but lacks in character.


Lynch Bages Grand Cru Classé Pauillac 2000
Château Lynch Bages, Bordeaux, France
Grape Varietals: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot, Petit Verdot
Rating: 4.0stars; 91points

Complex cassis and tobacco notes. Good balance and length

Magnificent 7 : A Burgundy Blast

Georges Noellat Grands Echezeaux Grand Cru 1989
Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, France
Main varietal: Pinot Noir
Ratings: 3.5 stars; 90pts
PR’s Producer Grade (red): C

Not oxidised but seems past its best. Complex genteel cherry like notes wrapped in mild sweet spice.


Mischief & Mayhem Volnay Clos des Chenes Premier Cru 2005
Côte de Beaune, Burgundy, France
Main varietal: Pinot Noir
Ratings: 3.0stars; 88pts
PR’s Producer Grade (red): D

This bottle better. Ripe dark pinot cherry notes. Acidity pokes out a bit.


Louis Jadot Gevrey-Chambertin Les Cazetiers Premier Cru 2003
Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, France
Main varietal: Pinot Noir
Ratings: 3.5stars; 90pts
PR’s Producer Grade (red): C

Hit of caramelised notes through lovely pinot perfume.


Pascal Marchand Gevrey-Chambertin Combe aux Moines Premier Cru 2009
Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, France
Main varietal: Pinot Noir
Ratings: 3.5 stars; 90pts
PR’s Producer Grade (red): D

Dark stone fruit laced with pinot spice. Balance less than elegant


Thibault Liger-Belair Clos Vouget Grand Cru 2007
Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, France
Main varietal: Pinot Noir
Ratings: 4.0 stars; 91pts
PR’s Producer Grade (red): D

Complex cherry and spice with a very mild brett hint. 91 Bit short though.


Camille Giroud Corton Les Chaumes Grand Cru 2006
Côte de Beaune, Burgundy, France
Main varietal: Pinot Noir
Ratings: 4.5 stars; 93pts
PR’s Producer Grade (red): C

Restrained yet rich. Silky textured. Wonderful length


Armand Rousseau Clos de la Roche Grand Cru 2011
Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, France
Main varietal: Pinot Noir
Ratings: 4.5 stars; 94pts
PR’s Producer Grade (red): A-B

Rich and mouth filling. Spice and complex cherry. Powerful. This bottle double decanted 8 hours ago.

Celler Piñol Winemakers' Dinner : A Spanish Fiesta (10 May 2014)

Wine Daddy has been selected to host a dinner for Celler Piñol Winery. The Spanish experience begins at 7.00pm with a Tapas Platter followed by Spanish-style Lamb Shank as main course, continued with a Spanish Cheese Platter and completed with a Brownie with ice cream as dessert, where guest sip the finest wines from Terra Alta as each course unfolds.

The dinner feature wines from Celler Piñol Winery and home cooked Spanish culinary creations. All wine was presented by the winemaker- Juanjo Galcera Piñol.

6pm, we are ready!

6.15pm, Juanjo is here

6.30pm and our guests started to come

Juanjo introducing and explaining the winery

Dinner started with Tapas Platter, main course Lamb Shank with garden salad, Spanish cheese platter and a surprise Homemade Chocolate Brownie with ice cream as dessert. It's a Spanish Fiesta!

It's too much food and wine is too good!

Juanjo explaining how wines are made, the process terms and sharing his experience and knowledge with guests

Lastly, a group photo when everyone still able to stand straight. :)

Our victims for the night

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Background

Juanjo Galcera Piñol, represents the 4th generation of this family run cellar where he has toiled the last 16 years. Piñol that is the name of the winery and his Mother’s family name (In Spain you keep both GALCERA first from the father and second PIÑOL from the mother). A Chemical Engineer by training, he gave up a lucrative carrier with Danone (the multinational yoghurt giant) to become the ambassador and much more, for this wonderful Spanish wine producer. A challenging job given that this vineyard was from a virtually unknown region of Spain when he started and production was only 25,000 bottles a year (very small for Spain).

He recalls his first trip abroad with a dozen bottles of wine in tow (back in 1999 when you could hand carry wine on board) trying to establish a market for his wines in Germany, Denmark and Austria. Today Celler Piñol exports over 600,000 bottles a year to 25 countries. Apart from a lot of effort, travel, passion, enthusiasm and a love for his family, town and the vines,…. Juanjo is a qualified Sommelier of wine having graduated from ROVIRA I VIRGILI University (a Leading winemaking school in Tarragona, Spain).


Celler Piñol Winery

Cellar Piñol is located in Batea, Terra Alta, the most southern region of Catalonia. At 500 meters above sea level, the area is characterized by a medieval appearance and the sprinkling of small towns throughout the mountains and countryside. It has a timeless beauty, where rugged mountains contrast sharply to sweeping plains filled with crops of ancient Mediterranean stock (grapes, almonds, olives).

At CELLER PIÑOL, healthy, organic farming methods (using ecologically friendly methods without herbicides, pesticides or sistemics) are used to produce the finest fruit. From the first planting of the seed, the maturation process of the fruit is controlled, harvesting only at the ideal time. The quality of Cellar Piñol wine is directly related to the health of the grapes and careful attention is paid to the vineyards each day. From pruning to leaf exposed to the sun and allowed to mature to its fullest.