Barolo Chinato is a fortified wine which was traditionally drunk for medicinal purposes to guard against fevers and stomach upsets, but also gifted as a sign of hospitality. Today it is more commonly used as a digestif and is a wonderful way to round off a meal, as well as being unbeatable with dark chocolate. Cocchi's Barolo Chinato still follows the traditional recipe: Barolo DOCG wine (100% Nebbiolo) is infused with the bark of the Calissaja Quinine tree, rhubarb roots and cardamom seeds as well as a secret blend of herbs and spices before being laid down for lengthy maturation. The first thing you notice is the complexity, your nose picking up bitter and honeyed characteristics at the same time. Roasted orange peel, cloves, cherries, eucalyptus and dried figs are all present. These flavors evolve on the palate into a battle of bitter versus sweet characters that coat your tongue; rhubarb, date, sultana, cloves, Five Spice and orange bitters are all present to give a lovely warm mouthfeel. An incredibly long, intense finish that is both dry and sweet and will leave your mouth watering for more. 50cl, ABV 16,5% Serving Temperature 16-18? Source: www.cocchi.it

Outstanding new vintage 2019 Barolo from a classic producer. Giacomo Fenocchio has a reputation for producing classic traditional Barolo with traditional long maceration times, of up to 40 days on skins with natural indigenous yeasts. 

The result is a group of stellar Barolos that can age for between 10 to 20 years in good cellaring conditions and which offer exceptional value for money. The style is savoury all the way from the clean, fresh, earthy note to the rich mushroom, truffle, tar and roses notes that typifies great Barolo. This wine punches above its weight for its price and will age gracefully.

98 points- Jeb Dunnuck

"Located in Novello, from three hectares of the Ravera MGA with southwest exposure, the 2017 Barolo Ravera was aged for 32 months in large oak casks. It is forward and expressive with fresh pine, candied cranberry, orange oil, and aniseed. The palate is full of energetic tension, balance, and purity, with apricot pit, tea leaf and saline minerality. An inspiring wine to close out the Vietti 2017 lineup." Drink 2025 - 2050

97 points - James Suckling

"Dried strawberry and citrus rind, as well as subtle undertones of smoke and dried flowers. Full-bodied, yet so tight and composed with freshness and lightness, yet power, too. Long finish. This really needs time to open. Classic style. Try after 2025."

96 points - Vinous, Antonio Galloni

"The 2017 Barolo Ravera is a powerhouse. My impression is that the 2017 is going to develop into something truly special. It has all the energy that makes this site so distinctive, but with an extra kick of fruit density and a whole range of exotic aromatics that make for a truly drop dead gorgeous wine. Bright red/purplish fruit, rose petal, chalk and white pepper build into a finish laced with searing intensity. This is such an impressive wine." Drink 2027 - 2042

Cocchi is celebrating its 130th anniversary with the launch of a limited-edition Barolo Chinato  modelled after a 19th-century recipe. Guilio Cocchi, a pastry chef, founded his namesake company in Asti in 1891. To commemorate its 13 decades, Cocchi has created a single vineyard, single-cask, single  vintage aromatised wine called Barolo Chinato Tipo Esportazione, based on a recipe first  developed in the 19th century exclusively for export markets. The recipe was originally formulated with a higher ABV and a specific  blend of herbs and spices, so it would maintain its quality throughout  long journeys by ship. The new bottling is made from the 2016 Barolo DOCG vintage grown in  a single vineyard on the Castiglione Falletto Estate, Piedmont, Italy.  The expression’s botanicals include cinchona bark, rhubarb root,  gentian flowers, laurel leaves, cardamom, coriander and orange  peel. Sitting at 18% ABV, the Barolo Chinato was created for straight  sipping and is said to pair well with dark chocolate. 

THE BOTTLE Each bottle is wax-sealed by hand and features a reproduction of the 1900s label.  In preparation for the gifting season, it comes in a ‘luxury’ box, along with reprints of vintage  Cocchi postcards The Barolo Chinato Tipo Esportazione is a highly collectable Limited Edition distributed in  premium packaging: • Reproduction of 1900’s label, hand drawn and printed with vintage technique • Each bottle is sealed by hand with sealing wax and stamp. • Premium wooden box with brass plate. • Accompanied by reprint of vintage Cocchi postcards.

TASTING NOTES On the nose, it offers rich, woody notes of cinchona bark, dried  tobacco leaves, dried roses and cocoa beans, while the palate  brings sweetness, dark berries, violets, velvety tannins along with  cardamom, liquorice and bitter orange peel. The finish delivers  charred wood, cloves and eucalyptus, plus lingering dark  chocolate. Limited edition of 1200 numbered bottles.