Life is too short to drink bad wine

So inspired by the wonderful 2004 Barolo Triumviratum we decided to have the 2001 for dinner. Garnet red colour with orangey rim. Great nose as the 2004, but it did not open up as expected as it was perhaps a bit too warm. Lovely balanced taste with a long velvety finish. Not very often my wife drinks Barolo but this one went down easily! sign of quality!!! Barolo Triumveratum 2001 M Chiarlo, 120€ Great and elegant

The first wine at Michele Chiarlo had a deep purple colour with violet reflections. An elegant pronounced smell of red berries, cherry and chocolate.  Very attractive indeed. A fruity and well balanced taste without too much acidity. Barbera d'Asti "Le Orme" 2011 M Chiarlo, 10€ A bargain Goes with meat and white fish

Chiarlo's Barbaresco has been aged 18 months in large French oak barrels. Garnet colour with brick red rim, so typical Nebbiolo! The nose totally different from the Barbera with tones of pepper, spices and earth. Very delicate and and elegant dry full bodied taste. High tannins, acidity and alcohol. A lovely Barbaresco! Can be stored up to 15 years. Barbaresco 2009 Reyna M Chiarlo, 25€ Perfect with roast and game

Barolo from Cannubi fermented 15 days in oak barrels and matured 2 years in 55 hl oak barrels. Garnet colour with brick red rim. Bouquet packed with blackcurrant, liquorice, tobacco and mint. Great balanced taste packed with fruit, acidity and elegant tannins. Great structure and complexity. Barolo Cannubi 2009 M Chiarlo, 55€ Perfect with red meat, game and hard cheese.

The Cherequio is carefully selected with 50% green harvesting. Pale garnet red colour and a very complex nose of ripe fruit like blackcurrant, apricot and cherry. Same aromas on the taste with a long firm tannic finish. Surprisingly drinkable at this stage. Probably slightly better than Cannubi (breaks my heart to say that ) Barolo Cerequio 2009 M Chiarlo, 55€ Ripe hard cheese and red meat/game

What I can say? Just as I thought I had been drinking the peak of Barolo they served a Barolo Reserve made from the three vineyards Cerequio, Cannubi and Sarmassa. A wine that is produced only in the best years and matured for three years in large barrels and another three years in the bottle. Garnet red colour with orange reflections.  Complex smell of dark berries, raspberries, spice and tobacco.  Rich body with very elegant tannins and a well balanced, long finish.  A truly great wine. To be drunk between 10 and 20 years old. Barolo Triumviratum 2004 M Chiarlo, 90€ Big and wonderful

I am totally out of practice when it comes to tasting Chablis. Partly because I prefer white Burgundy and that Chablis can sometimes be a bit wimpy? Anyway, bought this one at the local supermarket. Premier cru for around 20€ is not too bad and Montmains is quite a good one. Pale yellow green colour. Lovely smell of sea, minerals and lime. Surprisingly attractive! Well balanced fruity and mineral like taste. I must admit I really enjoy this wine, it is in fact very nice indeed! Chablis 1er cru Montmains 2011 Closerie des Alisiers Have a bit of faith in me!