98
Kerin O'Keefe - kerinokeefe.com
Hailing from the firm’s prime vineyard in the Bricco Boschis cru, Cavallotto’s magnificent 2017 Riserva Vigna San Giuseppe opens with classic Barolo aromas of new leather, forest floor, tobacco and ripe berry that mingle with floral scents of dog rose and iris. Full-bodied but smooth and enveloping, the firmly structured palate combines power and finesse, featuring succulent Morello cherry, ripe cranberry, star anise and baking spice accompanied by tightly knit, refined tannins. Fresh acidity – impressive given the scorching vintage - keeps it well balanced. Drink2029–2044. Abv: 14.5%
96+ Monica Larner - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Organic fruit for this wine comes from a small parcel within the hilltop Bricco Boschis cru with 60-year-old vines. The Cavallotto 2017 Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna San Giuseppe shows ample texture and softness with layers of dark fruit, plum, dried cherry, baked terracotta and spice. This vintage delivers more accessible fruit overall, and the Cavallotto house style delivers elegance and depth. Production is 6,637 bottles.
96 Aldo Fiordelli - Decanter
The dark style of Alfio Cavallotto is, if possible, enhanced here by the natural style of the vintage. This is a cask sample, still in oak and not bottled yet. It has an intense smoky woodland nose, with a lot of mineral earthiness along with liquorice, graphite, tar and earthy dark cherry. Large, powerful and extracted tannins dominate the palate, with crisp, brilliant acidity. A really muscular and angular wine, almost over-extracted and quite biting on the finish, but prepared for the long haul.
