Dark cherry, a little liquorice and cinnamon sticks, black tea, a bit of wet soil. Rich and stony, ferrous feel, fresh too, with an earthy spiced tea finish of excellent length. Not quite the usual Bussia power, though has a charm and freshness that’s a hallmark of the better wines from this unusual vintage. I kept tossing up between 93 and 94 points; one of those wines. Points: 94/100
Medium brick-red with definite tawny tints in the rim; there is a sweet herbal aroma reminiscent of a decaying floral arrangement. The palate is lean and tense, firm and almost nervy, with good intensity of flavour and sinewy drying tannins; very savoury, and quite long-lasting. A smart wine and a complementary style to the Cannubi. Points: 95/100
The Einaudi estate is an incredibly charming winery based in Dogliani. Their winemaking is pretty classic, with fermentation in concrete as well as in stainless steel tanks, then long ageing in large oak vessels after 20-25 days of maceration on the skins. Bright garnet in the glass, it's funky at first with a sort of straw and farmyard character giving austere complexity; thereafter the grace of wild strawberry and cinnamon. Angular, firm and refreshing, the palate is more extracted than supple in a perfect stern Bussia style, with an austere finish displaying a great savoury flavour. It's not without balance for the long haul. Points: 92/100
Bright ruby colour, garnet tints. Lifted aromas of raspberry and dark cherry, crushed rose petal, nutmeg, clove and hints of liquorice are all found on the vivacious bouquet, while the wine is equally lively on the palate, a little loose-knit with its wash of fruit sweetness, darker spice and savoury notes also present, a gauzy drape of tannin and a taut line of acidity keeping the wine linear and flowing. It's a lovely wine, bright and fragrant and already drinking well. Points: 93/100
Bright berries and a hint of pomegranate, together with damp chalk and some fern. Medium-bodied with a tight, focused palate and firm, light-grained tannins. Quite a racy feel to this now. Should broaden out with another couple of years in bottle. Try from 2024. Points: 93/100
