Sottimano Barbaresco

Very solid producer - mo kmowledge of the 2007s though

No brainer buy considering the producer and quality of vintage. My favourite is the Pajore, followed by the Curra. You really can't go wrong with any of the wines though.

Just stick them in the cellar and walk away. If you're looking for more info on Sottimano's wines (from a variety of vintages), search the board. I've posted many, many notes on them.

+1

Had the 2003 Sottimano Fausoni Barbaresco twice and scored it 89 and 91.

VM

Can I jump in and ask about Albino Rocca? Have an offer from our local wine folks: the duemilasette.

I picked up 3 bottles of the 2007 Sottimano Cotta recently based both reviews and a strong recommendation from a retailer I trust on Italians. I had a very positive experience with the 2004 Sottimano Curra about a year ago and I wanted to get more Sottimano in my Piedmont collection.

Sottimano is probably my favorite Barbaresco producer. I mean, I like Gaja...

They used to be a tad pricey, just a bit, but really, pretty well worth it. All the crus can be quite nice, but I'll echo the preference for Curra and Pajore (in no particular order).

quote:

Originally posted by aphilla:
Can I jump in and ask about Albino Rocca? Have an offer from our local wine folks: the duemilasette.

Albino Rocca has changed the barrel aging regime in recent vintages, with the Loreto seeing all botte now, whereas the Bric Ronchi is 50/50 barrique and botte.

As for the duemilasette, I'm pretty sure that's just the base Barbaresco. (There was a corresponding duemilasei, etc). It should see all botte as well. I'd go for the higher level bottlings, depending on what the prices are like.

quote:

No brainer buy considering the producer and quality of vintage. My favourite is the Pajore, followed by the Curra. You really can't go wrong with any of the wines though.

A +1 on Futronic's post. Try them. I also like Pajore of their crus. Some of their crus can be on the weighty side for Nebbiolo and need cellar time. Sottimano is equivalent to a "grower champagne", a smaller producer with good vineyards.

From Sottimano you can see people out on Gaja's patio tasting wines across the valley. We waved, LOL. It speaks to how close the wineries and vineyards are.

Rant on - If their wines were available in the state of Texas I would buy them. Thanks to the lame distributors they are yet another winery shut out of this market.

Winetex,

I think you probably had a better visit at Sottimano!

Sorry to hear the wines aren't distributed in Texas. They're regularly available at Winex, but I don't think you can ship into Texas, correct?

I really wanted to get Andrea's wines more regularly, so I selfishly put him in contact with an importer here in Ontario. The wines have been quite successful so far and are becoming available through the LCBO periodically (in addition to being available directly through the importer). I'm happy, and Sottimano is now tops in quantity in my cellar, just eking out Fuligni.

Futronic - there's a few bottles of each below in Ottawa. Worth seeking out?

SOTTIMANO COTTÁ BARBARESCO 2005
SOTTIMANO FAUSONI BARBARESCO 2006

Yes.

Although I doubt that the 2006 Fausoni is actually on the shelf. It was in the most recent Classics, so it's probably someone's order that hasn't been picked up yet.

When I had my order confirmed last week, there were still 14 bottles left, so I suggest you call Vintages and see if any are still available.

quote:

Originally posted by futronic:
Yes.

Although I doubt that the 2006 Fausoni is actually on the shelf. It was in the most recent Classics, so it's probably someone's order that hasn't been picked up yet.

When I had my order confirmed last week, there were still 14 bottles left, so I suggest you call Vintages and see if any are still available.

Thanks

quote:

Originally posted by thirsty man:
I'm unfamiliar with these wines - does anyone have any experience with them? Particularly the Cotta and Curra cuvees from 2007? They just arrived at my LWS and am considering purchasing a few, but have such limited experience in Barbaresco that i do not want jump without some input. Thanks in advance.

I've had the '06s of both and both were quite good. (As a side note, I've hung out with Andrea Sottimano a couple of times into the wee hours of the morning. Great guy and if you really are on the fence I might buy just because you would be supporting a good family.)