1947 Giacomo Borgogno & Figli Barolo Riserva
Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2022 8:41 pm
We took Peggy to our favorite Italian place in Baltimore, Cinghiale, to celebrate her 75th birthday. I brought the second of 2 bottles of 1947 Borgogno Barolo purchased in 2016. They are original release, non-reconditioned bottles with the red capsules. The first was drunk 5 years ago for her 70th.
Stood up for 4 months in the cellar after finding some fine sediment remaining suspended in the previous bottle despite standing it for 4 weeks. Fill within 1" of the cork, which easily came out in 1 piece with a Durand. The cork was remarkably intact, soft and spongy only along the bottom 1/3. Carefully decanted off of the sediment, then replaced in the cleaned bottle for transport to the restaurant.
Initial pours about 1 hour later showed moderate bricking and no sediment, an old dusty nose reminiscent of grandma’s unattended clothes closet, and a medium body with not much going on on the palate.
Let it sit for a while and about 2 hours after opening it began to come alive. By 4 hours after opening the color had surprisingly deepened and the nose was fully open with a complex melange of cherry, roses, tar, violets, and mushroomy moist earth. The palate was medium bodied and full of sweet aged complexity with a nice balance between the delicate fruit and acidity. Tannins fully resolved. Complexity persisted through the medium-long finish. Still going strong at the end of the evening, 6 hours after opening. Outstanding.
The wine was a great match for a tajarin of veal bolognese and a venison osso bucco.
Stood up for 4 months in the cellar after finding some fine sediment remaining suspended in the previous bottle despite standing it for 4 weeks. Fill within 1" of the cork, which easily came out in 1 piece with a Durand. The cork was remarkably intact, soft and spongy only along the bottom 1/3. Carefully decanted off of the sediment, then replaced in the cleaned bottle for transport to the restaurant.
Initial pours about 1 hour later showed moderate bricking and no sediment, an old dusty nose reminiscent of grandma’s unattended clothes closet, and a medium body with not much going on on the palate.
Let it sit for a while and about 2 hours after opening it began to come alive. By 4 hours after opening the color had surprisingly deepened and the nose was fully open with a complex melange of cherry, roses, tar, violets, and mushroomy moist earth. The palate was medium bodied and full of sweet aged complexity with a nice balance between the delicate fruit and acidity. Tannins fully resolved. Complexity persisted through the medium-long finish. Still going strong at the end of the evening, 6 hours after opening. Outstanding.
The wine was a great match for a tajarin of veal bolognese and a venison osso bucco.