Mark Gasbarro hosted yet another blockbuster tasting this past Monday at Gasbarros Fine Wines, on Atwells Avenue in Providence, RI. Riccardo Sgarra, Brand Ambassador for Paolo Scavino presented nine wines, including five different Barolos. Surprisingly it was lightly attended. This was great for me, but very confusing. Where else can you walk in and sample wines like this on a Monday night? Not to mention these are free as well. You really should get to some of these tastings if you love fine wine.
Anyway, I had the chance to run through the reds and a single white. The Barolos were classic, elegant and there were multiple vintages of two of them. Here are my notes:
Sorriso Langhe Bianco 2015 – the only white Paolo Scavino makes, it originated as a wine for family and friends. It is a blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier, which certainly makes it different. This was really aromatic, very clean and refreshing – an unusual blend which gives you a little bit of everything. We’re putting this on our Value List. Retail $17.99.
Vino Rosso – this is a lighter, fruity blend of Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, Barbera and Merlot. It’s light bodied and very fruit forward. An easy drinking red, which would be great for an afternoon party or a day on the deck. Retail $13.99.
Dolcetto d’Alba 2015 – according to Riccardo, almost every Dolcetto producer will rip up their vines after a maximum of 35 years as 
yields plummet. Not so for this wine, as the vines here are 69 years old. This has a dark, rich red color and a lovely nose of berries. Medium bodied and very dry, with some surprising tannins. Nice fruit here, and long. $17.99
Barbera d’Alba 2015 – a rich red color with some pink and purple highlights, here we have more of a dusty fruit profile. Red fruit dominates. At the end it gets a bit perfume heavy. $21.99
Now the Barolos, the King of Wines:
Barolo 2012 – a blend of seven vineyards, this is a classic Barolo, made in the old style, and it really embodies elegance. A nose of roses and perfume leads to red fruit and a long satisfying finish. Very traditional and $44.99.
Barolo Bricco Ambrogio 2009 – Riccardo actually poured the 2012 first, for a very good reason. This wine, the 2009, is more 
structured and bigger, with a touch of attitude. There is cherry, balsamic and tar. It’s long, will last almost forever, and has just enough complexity to make it a touch different while still maintaining the classic Barolo profile. This was the wine of the night, and the one I bought to bring home. Another Value List wine at $59.99.
Barolo Bricco Ambrogio 2012 – this wine is ready now, although very young for Barolo. It already presents that wonderful tar and roses profile, with some leather and chocolate. It too is delicious, although I prefer it’s older brother. $59.99
Barolo Carobric 2009 – here there was anise on the nose, for me very clearly but for some other tasters not so much. Once again we see the subjectivity which makes wine so great – everyone has a different experience. This wine has great fruit and a little perfume, also some leathery nuances. It is, like all of these, very long. $69.99
Barolo Carobric 2012 – lighter red in color, this wine had more earthy terroir than the other Barolos. There was some spice as 
well. It’s still tight, is very young, and really needs some time to stretch out. It is very different than the Bricco Ambrogio. $69.99
What a way to spend a little time on a Monday evening, as there were about 10-12 of us for the most part enjoying the wines and chatting with Riccardo. That number stayed fairly constant as people came and went.
These are excellent wines, and I think I still have a 2001 Scavino in the cellar. Both Riccardo and Mark mentioned it was a very good year. We’ll have to open that on a special occasion, or a Thursday – whichever comes first!
Do yourself a favor and drop by Gasbarros if you are in the area. You’ll also get a 10% discount the night of the tasting on featured wines.
A votre santé!
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