Kermit Lynch Piedmont Tasting @ Spirited Wines, 11/1/2024

Kermit Lynch Piedmont Tasting
@ Spirited Wines, Lenox, MA, 11/1/2024

This was a sit-down tasting organized by Spirited Wines in Lenox, MA, and led by Brittany Galbraith of Kermit Lynch Wine Imports, the importer for all these wines.

There was a Bèrto Aperitiv Dla Tradission Vermouth Bianco to start and a Bèrto Ross Da Travaj Vermouth Rosso at the end. I didn't review either because I'm not a fan of Vermouth.

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It was a beautiful day to drive to the Berkshires. This spot is just across the border from NY into MA.

Flight 1: Piero Benevelli
This wine could have used a good decant to really show its potential.

2019 Piero Benevelli Barolo Le Coste di Monforte - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
Bright red fruit nose with a hint of cinnamon. Quite astringent at this stage. This should be quite elegant and delicious in 5-10 years. (90–92 points)

Brittany Galbraith of Kermit Lynch and Sean Tucker of Spirited discuss the wines:

Flight 2: Alessandro e Gian Natale Fantino
This is one of my favorite "under the radar" producers. These are all very good wines and good values.

2021 Alessandro e Gian Natale Fantino Barbera d'Alba Superiore Cascina Dardi - Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d'Alba Superiore
Big vanilla nose. Bright juicy tasty red fruit and vanilla. Good value, but I would cellar it for a few years to let it absorb the oak. (89 points)
2021 Alessandro e Gian Natale Fantino Langhe Rosso dei Dardi - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC
Nose of red fruit and vanilla. Tasty and delicious. Would be delicious with tomato sauce. (90 points)
2018 Alessandro e Gian Natale Fantino Barolo Bussia Cascina Dardi - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
Bright cherry nose. Long and complex with some grassiness on the finish. Not a long ager, but should drink well for 10 years or so. (91 points)
2017 Alessandro e Gian Natale Fantino Barolo Riserva Bussia Cascina Dardi - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
Noticeably deeper and richer than the 2018 non-riserva. Lots of cherries and spice in the nose. Really elegant. Rich red and black fruit. Licorice. A very good wine, but not as exceptional as the best vintages of this wine. (92 points)

Flight 3: Guido Porro
Another really good, reasonably priced producer. I wish they had included one of their Barolos from Lazzarito.

2022 Guido Porro Barbera d'Alba Vigna S. Caterina - Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d'Alba
Big, sweet black fruit nose. Juicy, tart, complex long. An impressive Barera that should age well for 10-20 years. (92 points)
2022 Guido Porro Langhe Nebbiolo Camilu - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC
Muted nose of red fruit and spice. Elegant and delicious. (90 points)
2019 Guido Porro Barolo Gianetto - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
Muted nose of cherries and oranges. Long, tasty lots of fruit and spice. Not typical for Serralunga, but according to the Kermit Lynch rep, this part of this MGA has more clay than limestone unlike most of Serralunga. (92 points)

Summary
This was an interesting tasting. Lots of good wines, but none that really wowed me.

My tasting notes posted from CellarTracker.