BEST ITALIAN WINES

While in Bangkok recently in wine critic James Suckling identified Bangkok Thailand as one of the most exciting premium wine market in Asia with double the consumption of fine wines compared to China. Let’s explore his top five Italian wine

Story by Laurence Civil

While in Bangkok in wine critic James Suckling identified Bangkok Thailand as one of the most exciting premium wine market in Asia with double the consumption of fine wines compared to China. Let’s explore his top five Italian wine

In first place Giacomo Conterno Barolo Cerretto 2010 a vintage with an exceptionally long growing season in the Langhe that produced balanced and exceptional Nabbiolos. This is the first wine from their Ceretto vineyard of 20 years old vines purchased in 2008. Powerful and rich yet remaining polished and silky on the nose there are aromas of mushrooms, some sweet tobacco opulent dark fruit, black olives and earth. It’s full bodied, dense and surrounded by ultra refined tannins. It will be bottle in just 2,000 magnums (100 points)

Second place goes to Masseto Toscana 2011, a wow wine with fabulous aromas of currants, rosemary, mint and orange peel, the perfect nose. Its full bodied with perfectly integrated tannins. The taste is long and incredible with tangerine, berry, terracotta and chocolate flavours that linger on the palate for several minutes. (100 points)

Third place went to Aldo Conterno Barolo Romirasco 2010 a powerful big wine with outstanding depth and power. Its full bodied with fabulous texture with a finish that last for several minutes. The flavour is dark fruit, hazelnut, chocolate and minerals with fruit from a single 3.8 ha vineyard. This wine is a pick of this vintage very energetic and tangy. (99 points)

In fourth place he picked Roberto Voerzio Barolo Sarmassa 2010 a wine that shows incredible depth of fruit and intensity for the vintage with a full bodied and super integrated and refined tannins. The texture is awesome in the way it caresses every inch of the palate. Only bottled in magnums (99 points)

Finally in fifth place Vietti Barolo Villero Riserva 2008 the aroma of tar, insense, dried rose petal and dark fruit is unbelievable. Full bodied with chewy tanins and a fabulous depth of fruit. Its polished yet muscular. (98 points)