Favorite 2001 Barolo Riservas

Massolino - Vigna Rionda Vigna Rionda Barolo Riserva DOCG 2001

Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is warm, and slightly greenish, with leathery accents and clean berry fruit laced spice. Quite a bit going on, and it's still quite young. On the palate it's ample and rich, with powerful red berry fruit supported by clean slightly sour berry fruit acidity, and by smooth sweet tannins that flow into a clean berry fruit finish. Graceful, and will drink quite well with succulent red meats or stews in the short term, and also has the wherewithal to age well for many years, becoming lacy with time; in the future one could meditate with it. Great depth and elegance, and it's working up to finesse; it's worth seeking out if you like this fairly classic style.
Score: 92

Bolmida Silvano Bussia Barolo Riserva DOCG 2001

Deep black almandine ruby with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, with cocoa and some herbal notes mingled with alcohol and spice. On the palate it's ample and soft, with fairly rich tart berry fruit supported by warm balsamic acidity, and by smooth sweet tannins that flow into a clean warm finish. It's ample, and richer in fruit on the palate than I had expected from the nose, and quite fresh; it will drink nicely now with succulent red meats, and though it also has the legs to age well for many years, i might be tempted to drink it sooner to enjoy its freshness. One of those wines you hate to pour out at a tasting.
Score: 90

Rocche dei Manzoni Vigna Cappella di Santo Stefano Barolo Riserva DOCG 2001

Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, with deft greenish accents mingled with red berry fruit and warmth. Pleasant to sniff, and a fair amount going on. On the palate it's ample, and rich, with bright berry fruit supported bouquet clean slightly greenish berry fruit acidity and fairly rich tannins; there's also slight sweetness that adds depth and richness to the fruit. Pleasant, in a fairly international key, and will drink quite well now with roasts or stews, though it also has the wherewithal to age nicely for a decade or more. Worth seeking out if you like this style.
Score: 90

Viberti Giovanni Buon Padre Barolo Riserva DOCG 2001

Lively almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is intense, and rather haunting, with saddle leather and warmth supported by slight tart accents and clean spice. Extremely harmonious, in a fairly traditional key, and though it's quick to write it invites repeated sniffs. On the palate it's rich, with delicate red berry fruit supported by clean moderately intense sour cherry acidity, and by tannins that have a steely velvetiness to them, and flow into a clean tannic finish. Quite traditional in feel, and will drink well with succulent red meats, and age well for many years.
Score: 90

Cantina Gigi Rosso Arione Surì Dell'Ulivo Barolo Riserva DOCG 2001

Deep black almandine with black reflections. The bouquet is fairly rich, with bright spice and some balsamic notes mingled with slight rhubarb. On the palate it's ample and smooth, with fairly rich berry fruit that gains definition from bright red berry fruit acidity, while a degree of sweetness from alcohol -- it's not overripe -- confers softness, and the tannic structure is deft and powerful. Pleasing in a middle of the road key, and quite promising for the future; it will drink well now with succulent red meats, and also has the legs to age nicely for many years.
Score: 88-90

Monchiero F.lli Barolo Riserva DOCG 2001

Almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, with green leather mingled with some leaf tobacco and sweetish cedary accents. Elegant, and though it is young yet it has quite a bit to say. On the palate it's ample and rich, with bright sour berry fruit supported by sour berry fruit acidity, and by smooth sweet tannins that flow into a clean slightly tannic finish. Considerable depth in a delicate lacy key, and though one could drink it now with succulent red meats, it will reward those with the patience to give it another 3-5 years, and age well for a decade or more.
Score: 89-90

Cascina Rocca Villero Barolo Riserva DOCG 2001

Deep black almandine with black reflections and lam rim. The bouquet is fairly rich, with spicy accents and greenish overtones mingled with some peppery aromas. On the palate it's warm, and full, with fairly rich slightly leathery berry fruit supported by clean sweet tannins, while direction comes from deft slightly balsamic acidity, and it all flows into a clean slightly tannic finish. It's pleasant, in a slightly splintery key, and will smooth nicely with time though it will drink nicely now with succulent red meats. Expect it to age well for at least a decade or more, and it's worth seeking out if you like the fairly traditional style.
Score: 88

Palladino San Bernardo Barolo Riserva DOCG 2001

Deep black almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. The bouquet is closed; swishing brings up some balsam and slight warmth, some spice, and not much else. On the palate it's ample and smooth, with fairly rich slightly balsamic berry fruit supported by clean balsamic acidity, and by smooth sweet tannins that flow into a clean slightly spicy finish. Pleasing in a fairly traditional key, and will drink well with succulent red meats or light stews. If you like the style it is enjoyable, and it will also age nicely for a decade or more.
Score: 87-8

Bovio Gianfranco Bricco Parussi Barolo Riserva DOCG 2001

Deep almandine with black reflections and almandine rim. Elegant bouquet with slightly mentholated green leather supported by some spice and warmth, and underlying acidity, while there are also hints of dried flowers, and, with more swishing, sweetness. On the palate it's full, with fairly rich cherry fruit supported by spicy, peppery tannins more than acidity, and by a degree of sweetness that adds fullness, and it all flows into a clean peppery berry fruit finish that gradually reveals tart acidic warmth as the fruit fades. Elegant, but gives an impression of being in mid stride, and though it will drink well now with succulent red meats, especially if you like this slightly more lavish, sweeter style, it needs a few years.
Score: 87

Virna Borgogno Cannubi Boschis Barolo Riserva DOCG 2001

Deep black almandine with black reflections. Fairly rich slightly funky bouquet with cut flowers mingled with green leather, some cedar, and with more swishing hints of tar and rosa canina. There are also slight sweet accents to it. On the palate it's ample and smooth, with fairly sweet cherry plum fruit that I don't think is alcohol -- there's an underlying sweetness to it that may be overripening -- supported by bright sour berry fruit acidity that provides direction, and by ample sweet tannins that owe a debt to oak, and flow into a clean smooth finish. I found the sweetness to be slightly disconcerting -- I didn't expect it in A 2001 wine -- but if you like this rich ripe style it will drink well with succulent red meats.
Score: 83-4