Belated notes on some amazing Barolo
Posted: Thu Feb 19, 2009 7:34 pm
Just found some of my notes from this awesome Barolo tasting that Ian (Comte Flaneur) and Tom in DC put together last October (!)...
1989 Bruno Giacosa
This is their generic bottling. Bouquet of iron, soy sauce, Asian five-star spice, with hints of ash and funk-- very complex, awesome nose. Off the charts intensity with zero heaviness. Terrific length. Acidity plays the lead, with excellent sweetness and structure in supporting roles. Still somewhat firm (iron), but oh so good. How amazing must the single vineyard bottlings be? A/A+
1990 Conterno Riserva Monfortino
Still a dark color. Nose starts out subdued, but grows into something divine with menthol, cherry and cardamom. Gorgeous mid-palate richness with red cherry fruit and a wonderful mouthfeel. Heaps of acidity to go along with the fruit and still abundant structure. Great grip, great length, still young. Fantastic. A/A+
1989 Feyles Riserva Ginestra Monfortine Fratello Nicola
Some lactic notes on the nose. More tannin than the Giacosa, a bit harder...Black tea flavors and smells... There's a lovely freshness to the wine, like smelling a just-cut honey-dew melon, but it keeps morphing... now it's like fresh cut black cherries with some banana-estery notes. Could use more time? B+/A-
This tasting was such a treat, and proved just how much I love Barolo. I wish I had it more often! Plus, these wines went so well with the food, in a way that no other region can replicate IMHO.
1989 Bruno Giacosa
This is their generic bottling. Bouquet of iron, soy sauce, Asian five-star spice, with hints of ash and funk-- very complex, awesome nose. Off the charts intensity with zero heaviness. Terrific length. Acidity plays the lead, with excellent sweetness and structure in supporting roles. Still somewhat firm (iron), but oh so good. How amazing must the single vineyard bottlings be? A/A+
1990 Conterno Riserva Monfortino
Still a dark color. Nose starts out subdued, but grows into something divine with menthol, cherry and cardamom. Gorgeous mid-palate richness with red cherry fruit and a wonderful mouthfeel. Heaps of acidity to go along with the fruit and still abundant structure. Great grip, great length, still young. Fantastic. A/A+
1989 Feyles Riserva Ginestra Monfortine Fratello Nicola
Some lactic notes on the nose. More tannin than the Giacosa, a bit harder...Black tea flavors and smells... There's a lovely freshness to the wine, like smelling a just-cut honey-dew melon, but it keeps morphing... now it's like fresh cut black cherries with some banana-estery notes. Could use more time? B+/A-
This tasting was such a treat, and proved just how much I love Barolo. I wish I had it more often! Plus, these wines went so well with the food, in a way that no other region can replicate IMHO.