Paolo Scavino, Barolo Carobric 2001

robert_parker93

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

In 2001 the Bric del Fiasc and Carobric are massive, shut down, and very difficult to fully assess. Tasting the wines blind, I thought the Carobric was the Bric del Fiasc, and Enrica Scavino says even she has a hard time telling the wines apart at this stage. My notes and ratings represent my best idea of the wines at this stage, although both wines will probably require multiple tastings before a clearer idea of their true potential emerges. 2001 Scavino Barolo Carobric—Rich ruby. Dense, strapping and muscular, this Barolo shows a nose of rich ripe fruit, and minerals and boasts a massive, expansive palate of opulent fruit, with lots of complexity and great length. Still very backward and primary, today the Carobric appears to be the most complete of the 2001 Barolos. 93+ points/drink after 2011, 12/04 Enrico Scavino was finishing work on his estate when I visited last December. The new extension will provide space for large group tastings as well as a dedicated area for Scavino’s enviable collection of larger-format bottles. This estate produces a wide range of Barolos, beginning with a base bottling that is usually one of the best relative values in the region. There are three single-vineyard wines: Cannubi, Bric del Fiasc and Rocche dell’Annunziata, all of which are very representative of their respective soil types. In the mid-1990’s Scavino bought a plot in Rocche di Castiglione. Fearing too much confusion with the already well-known Rocche dell’Annunziata, Scavino decided to create a blend by adding wine from Cannubi and Bric del Fiasc, creating Carobric. The 2002 vintage marks the first release of a new Barolo from the Bricco Ambrogio cru in Roddi. Enrica Scavino is very high on the 2001s, describing them as “very elegant and classic.” She says “We want to make wines people drink rather than look at like some kind of trophy.” These 2001s are built to age and my advice is to drink this producer’s excellent 2000s (reviewed in Issue 1) in the near term and cellar the 2001s for longer-term consumption. As fantastic as the Scavino Barolos are, readers should not overlook the excellent 2001 Barbera d’Alba….

robert_parker94

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

The 2001 Barolo Carobric comes across as silky, perfumed and utterly impeccable. Sweet red berries, flowers and spices are woven together beautifully in this fragrant Barolo. Readers who enjoy more tertiary notes may want to cellar the 2001 for a few more years as the fruit is still quite primary, but the wine drink well today because of its textural finesse. The Carobric is a blend of fruit sourced from Rocche di Castiglione (60%), Bric del Fiasc (25%) and Cannubi (15%). Anticipated maturity: 2012-2026. Enrico Scavino is without question one of Piedmont’s most consistent producers. He just doesn’t miss a beat. Scavino is ably assisted by his daughters Enrica and Elisa, both of whom are increasingly involved in the winery. Scavino’s Baroli are rich, textured and very showy when young, but they have proven to be equally ageworthy. The 2001s spent one year in barrique and a second year in cask, an approach the estate adopted with the 1997 vintage. These are some of the most backward, intense wines of the vintage. Importer: Banville & Jones Wine Merchants, New York, NY; tel. (204) 294-4899

robert_parker92

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

The 2001 Barolo Carobric opens with a perfumed nose of freshly cut flowers, crushed raspberries and menthol. It offers flavors of ripe red fruits with excellent structure and length, closing with good freshness on the finish. Made from the Cannubi, Rocche di Castiglione and Bric del Fiasc vineyards, it comes across as very classic owing to its blend of fruit sourced from parcels from different communes, and therefore understandably lacks the focus and definition of Scavino’s single-vineyard wines. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2019. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300, Vin Divino, Chicago, IL; tel. (773) 334-6700, and Estate Wines, Ltd., San Rafael, CA; tel. (415) 492-9411

vinous94

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

The estate's 2001 Carobric provides a lovely contrast to the 2000. This medium-bodied Barolo opens with a perfumed nose suggesting flowers, herbs and tobacco followed by layers of sweet red fruit and a kick of menthol on the long finish. Today the 2001 Carobric comes across as more accessible than the 2000 owing to its finer, silkier tannins although I found myself captivated by the sheer fruit appeal of the 2000. Still, this is a beautiful effort.