Wednesday 4 March 2015

2004 Barolo Brunate From Marengo & Vietti


Yesterday I needed something soul warming after some long days at work, to go along a great pasta dish with chicken, ceps and cream Why not two bottles when I' m at it?

2004 Barolo Brunate, Marengo
A wonderful, earthy, deep nose with notes of sweet/sour cherries, fresh mushrooms, raspberry liqourice and red beet juice. With air lots of rosehips flows out of the glass. A fine depth. A ever so slight mature scent. Very fine.
The taste feels younger with a taut, concentrated structure and fine notes of cherry pips, hard cherry candy, balsa wood, rosehips and dry liqourice. A long, intense finish with juicy tannins. Will need another 4-6 years before the next bottle will be approached.
92p   (tasted 2015/02)



2004 Barolo Brunate, Vietti
I can't decide if the Brunate or the Rocche is my favourite wine from Vietti. Maybe I love them equally much. Anyway, I need to drink more of them.
The nose is a dream, with its concentration, balance and focus. Lovely notes of dark ripe cherries, rose petals, expensive leather, mushrooms and a gorgeous floral aroma, rises from the glass. This is brilliant, although still young. 
The taste is a poster child for the, sometimes, worn out expression - an iron fist in a velvet glove. At first you notice the ripe cherry fruit with some liqourice, tar and dark chocolate thrown in. Then the tannins role in and shape things up. The finish goes on and on and leaves you wanting more and more. A beauty, and it will be even greater in 5+ years time. 
96p   (tasted 2015/02)



9 comments:

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  4. Marengo is owning a gem in the Brunate vineyard and I have enjoyed several Altare versions when they rented parts until recently, especially the 2010 from Altare that except still contain some oak contributions, but is in totally exceptionally great, but needs time in the cellar. However, the Marengo has always been a disappointment, I have stopped following them. :(

    To me Brunate is a sacred combo of Musigny and Romanée-Saint-Vivant (at its best!) in all its glory and characterictics reallycompared to the bets, Cerequio really. After tasting the way too young Altare version of 2010 (even though too young) I was REALLY impressed, so I will post this up very soon to ease your cravings guys. ;) I know, you don't mind oak contributions, Joakim, but to me in such a good vintage with prefect tannins, it really disturbs me, I am sorry. To me Vietti is a joke in terms of oak treatment. :(

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    1. Thanks for the comment! Too each his own. And yes, I have no problem with good oak treatment. As said in the tasting note - I love Vietti's Rocche (no oak) but also the Brunate (oak) - call me a complex guy...:-) I get double the pleasure!

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    2. I know we have different views (read taste) here, but I just couldn't keep quiet, sir. ;)
      However, I can really recommend the Altare brunate 2010 if that wasn't clear. :) 2010's natural ripe and perfect tannins is just something extraordinary to me!! Especially the ones from Burlotto, both Rinaldi, B. Mascarello, Fenocchio, and several more..

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    3. I also dig Altare :-) I will see if I come by it. Thanks for the tip!

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  5. Thanks , love Brunate....when is done right
    Joakim...do you go to work ??
    I honestly thought you are a millionaire who just opens wine bottles all day long... :-)

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    1. I wish! :-) But sadly I work a lot - and drink a lot...:-)

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