NoseIntense bouquet of ripe fruits, such as currants and raspberries with hints of violet. raspberryredcurrantviolet
FlavorThe flavor is balanced with silky, sweet tannins, an excellent structure and a long finish
Piedmont At a Glance
Region NamePiedmont
Piemonte is considered by many the top wine region of Italy, being the land of Barolo and Barbaresco, even though these mega-popular wines only account for 3% of the region’s wine production.
Score: 94Vintage 2018James SucklingThere’s quite a wild, fruit and briar character to the nose, together with a pungent, truffly, earthy note. Hint of chocolate emerges with air. Medium-to full-bodied with dense flavors of ripe berries and medium-grain tannins that are coated with fruit and minerals. All feeling a little raw just now, but loads of character and length. Fun to taste , but give it a couple of years to sort itself out. Best from 2025.Shelf TalkerFull Page Review
Score: 96Vintage 2017James SucklingLoads of dried flowers on the nose with dark fruit, such as ripe strawberries and plums. It’s full-bodied with super integrated tannins that give a dusty texture and creaminess. Flavorful finish of fruit and hazelnut with some smoke. Drink in 2025 and onwards.Shelf TalkerFull Page Review
Score: 92Vintage 2017Vinous MediaThe 2017 Barolo Le Coste di Monforte is an attractive, but surprisingly delicate wine from this Monforte site. Bright red-fleshed fruit, chalk, lavender, rose petal and blood orange fill out the layers effortlessly. The tannins are a bit gritty, but otherwise this is nicely done. There's good freshness here, and plenty of verve, too.Shelf TalkerFull Page Review
Score: 92Vintage 2017Wine SpectatorAromas of cherry, strawberry and plum are joined by flavors of eucalyptus, iron and tobacco in this powerful red. Feels open initially, then astringent tannins clamp down on the finish. There's plenty of fruit here though. Best from 2025 through 2046. 600 cases made, 200 cases imported. Shelf TalkerFull Page Review
Score: 91Vintage 2017Wine AdvocateUnderstated on first nose, the Pecchenino 2017 Barolo le Coste di Monforte lacks the precision that is delivered in cooler vintages than this one was. I'd go with a medium-term drinking window and don't expect too much complexity. The bouquet delivers cherry cola and dried plum aromas with tarry spice. There is more bite or crunch in the mouth, thanks to acidity and structure.Shelf TalkerFull Page Review
Score: 95Vintage 2016Vinous MediaThe 2016 Barolo Le Coste di Monforte is utterly beguiling in the glass. Rose petal, cedar, mint, sweet pipe tobacco and blood orange open first. Deep and layered on the palate, the 2016 is exceptionally beautiful and harmonious for a young Barolo. Time in the glass brings out its myriad layers of nuance. The 2016 saw 25 days on the skins and spent three years in 25hL casks.Shelf TalkerFull Page Review
Score: 95Vintage 2016James SucklingA ripe, velvety red with lots of ripe strawberries, chocolate and some hazelnuts. It’s full-bodied with ripe tannins and a flavorful finish. Better after 2022.Shelf TalkerFull Page Review
Score: 93Vintage 2016Wine SpectatorA mix of pure cherry, raspberry, underbrush and iron are the hallmarks of this dense, powerful red. It's bracing and flirts with austerity as the steely structure exerts itself on the lingering finish. Patience required. Best from 2024 through 2050. 290 cases made, 175 cases imported.Shelf TalkerFull Page Review
Score: 93Vintage 2016Wine AdvocateOf these three new Baroli from Pecchenino, the 2016 Barolo le Coste di Monforte shows the greatest focus and sharpness. The other two wines are noticeably softer in terms of their aromatic direction compared to this wine. Le Coste di Monforte offers dark fruit, balsam herb, spice, campfire ash and ferrous earth in nicely balanced proportions. This wine sees long skin maceration times lasting 60 days (at 28 degrees Celsius), concluding with 36 months in oak cask. This gives the wine its rich flavor profile. Fruit comes from a site measuring just under a hectare at a high altitude of 450 meters above sea level. Production is 4,500 bottles.Shelf TalkerFull Page Review
Score: 89Vintage 2016Wine EnthusiastAromas recalling stewed prune, camphor and tobacco waft out of the glass. On the full-bodied palate, assertive, rather grainy tannins frame licorice, eucalyptus oil and dried cherry. You’ll also detect the heat of evident alcohol that throws it a bit off balance. Shelf TalkerFull Page Review
Score: 91Vintage 2013Wine and SpiritsThis opens with flavors of red cherry and sour plum brightened by notes of menthol that wane as the firm, mineral tannins and warm alcohol (14.5 percent) take over. Give it several years in the cellar for the structure and flavors to integrate.Shelf TalkerFull Page Review
Score: 95Vintage 2011James SucklingStill vibrant color in the glass and exuding aromas of rich red berries and dried cherries, together with a nutty-oak nuance. Full-bodied with sweet berries and oak spice that intermingle nicely to provide a full-flavored and integrated palate. Structured and well balanced, this is drinking well now, but will age nicely for some time yet. Perfectly in-tune. Drink or hold.Shelf TalkerFull Page Review
Score: 87Vintage 2011Wine AdvocateThere is so much tar and pavement in the 2011 Barolo le Coste di Monforte that it's hard to warm up to this wine. With sensations of rubber and plastic, and thin in the mouth, it's hard to know where this wine is going.Shelf TalkerFull Page Review
Score: 92Vintage 2010James SucklingShowing some mature, tertiary aromas of dried mushrooms, but there’s plenty of rich, ripe red fruit to balance. Full with flamboyant ripe fruit and just a hint of madeira-like character to the flavors. The fine tannins are still making an small-voiced effort. Still giving pleasure, but it’s time to enjoy this now.Shelf TalkerFull Page Review
Score: 94Vintage 2008James SucklingRemarkably fresh and youthful, with sprightly, firm tannins that are still working to to soak up the clean red-berry fruit. Full-bodied and, though not overly complex, this is showing incredible tension and focus for an almost 15-year-old wine. Everything is pristine enough to allow you to hold this, or enjoy now.Shelf TalkerFull Page Review