92 Antonio Galloni - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"The 2004 Barolo Sotto Castello di Novello is a super-ripe wine bursting with generous notes of blueberries, spices, violets and sweet toasted oak. This poised, well-defined Barolo possesses lovely depth and vibrancy. It isn't the most typical Barolo out there, but it does offer outstanding harmony in its own way. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2019." -92 points- Antonio Galloni- Wine Advocate

"Ripe fruit, with hints of tar and spices. Full-bodied, with chewy tannins, along with blackberry and dark chocolate. Mouthpuckering. Powerful. Best after 2012. 500 cases made." -92 points Wine Spectator

WINERY:
"Giacomo Grimaldi, was founded in 1930 by Ernesto Grimaldi. In 1983 the winery was inherited by Giacomo, who sold the greatest part of his grapes in bulk, while keeping only a small part to be bottled for sale to a mostly local clientele."

"In 1996 Ferruccio Grimaldi, Giacomo's son decided to continue the family wine business. Animated by a great passion, Ferruccio started to produce wines exclusively from the family's vineyards. He began acquiring vineyards of Nebbiolo in the most prestigious Barolo zones, firmly convinced of the great potential of Barolo wine. The family’s vines grew from 1,5 hectares to 10 hectares. The current vineyards are situated in the communes of Barolo, Novello and Monforte and divided as follows: 6 hectares of Nebbiolo for Barolo, 2 of Barbera d'Alba, 1 of Dolcetto d'Alba, 1 of Nebbiolo."

"In the vineyard, there is significant attention and a deep devotion to the care of the vines. Ferruccio is renowned amongst other wine makers for his 'perfectionism' in caring for the plants. Green harvest is vital to Ferruccio, to reduce the quantity of the yield for a better quality."

"The total production of the Giacomo Grimaldi winery is 50,000 bottles divided among seven labels: Dolcetto d'Alba DOC, Barbera d'Alba DOC, Barbera d'Alba Fornaci DOC, Nebbiolo d'Alba Valmaggiore DOC, Barolo DOCG, Barolo Sotto Castello di Novello DOCG, Barolo Le Coste DOCG." -Importer

This scored 88 points by Stephen Tanzer of the International Wine Cellar.