L'Illuminata, Barolo, Tebavio

Kellerduft und Tabak in der Nase. Dunkle Frucht am Gaumen, deutliche tannine, aber eine gute und sehr frische Säure für die 14 Jahre. Hat mich in der Komplexität aber nicht überzeugt

Double decanted 3 hours before pairing with Christmas Lasagna. A medium ruby in the glass extending out to clearing edges, the moderately intense nose features blue fruits, violet, rose petal and leather. Full-bodied, with excellent intensity and concentration, some toasted oak joining the notes on the nose. This was a superb match with the lasagna, and would appear to be just about to peak, but probably not quite there yet. Very impressive!

Opened 4 hours (and a small glass poured) before pairing with a traditional Northern Italian dish: pork loin braised in milk with garlic, sage and lemon zest. A medium garnet robe with an orangery meniscus, the nose features prominent orange peel, blue fruits, rose petals and toasty oak spice; very appealing. Excellent intensity and concentration, medium-bodied (perfectly matching the entree) and belying its color, with a long finish supported by still-excellent acidity. We think this still has some time to …

Decanted for 2 hours, well balanced with red fruits on the nose and palate. Excellent with braised beef

2005 Tenuta L'Illuminata Barolo Tebavio La Morra | Light bodied, but substantially tannic | Nose of cherries, licorice, & Oak | Palate is dominated by cherries, plums, & spice | Overall, @amberlb81 and I enjoyed this wine. However, I'm thinking I might have paid a bit too much for it after seeing where many others are selling it in the $20-30 price range.

Rich, complex, completely mature, typical of the terroir, and an amazing bargain at the $22 sale price.

Mini Flight of Premium Italian Reds (Non Solo Vino Wine Shop, Athens, Greece.) : Medium garnet. Typical Barolo nose with red cherry, tar, flowers (violets and roses) and nicely integrated oak. Medium-bodied with stiff and somewhat drying tannins, balancing acidity and a satisfactory aftertaste. Cellar for 2 to 5 years or drink now with a richly sauced dish such as osobuco.

Brick red colour with nice structure and long and lovely tannines on the palate. Still very youthful on the nose with little aromas, much better after an hour in the glass when the sweetness is combined with licorice.

Ruby in colour with a moderate tawny rim. Nose is expressive -seductive I could say- with well blended in oak evident by aromas of vanilla and coffee. Elegant with cherries, tar and flowers. Dry on palate with medium + ripe, velvet and robust tannins that lead the way to medium + alcohol and round body. Good balance overall but lacking a bit mid-palate intensity. Plums, spices and cherries fill the palate with a medium length.