Miran opened these wines in pairs, we tasted them double blind and then got to vote on a winner in each flight. A fun exercise!
First Flight
1996 Barbaresco Vigneto Starderi, La Spinetta
A deep, mature, creamy nose with notes of ripe black cherries, raspberry licorice, moist earth and died flowers. Round and in a fine state of maturity.
The taste is pure, refined and with a fine dryness, with notes of red and black cherries, earth, rosehips and herbs. A long, silky finish. Perfectly mature.
92p (tasted 2018/12)
1997 Barolo Vigna Conca, Fratelli Revello
A deep, warm, expressive nose with notes of sweet/sour cherries, dry tobacco, Christmas spices and fir wood. A fine, cool feeling. Not yet fully mature. Very fine.
The taste is seedy and tight with notes of dried cherries, autumn leaves, mushrooms and some balsamic notes. Very long and lingering with polished tannins. 3+ years.
94p (tasted 2018/12)
My vote on the first flight - wine no 2 = Barolo/1 - Barbaresco/0
Second Flight
1996 Barbaresco Vigneto Gallina, La Spinetta
A deep, spicy, leathery nose with notes of violets, green peppers, dried raspberries and forest floor. Deep and fine. Fully mature.
The taste is round, mature and juicy with notes of black olives, ripe cherries, rosehip and smoke. A long, warm finish with some rough, but nice, tannins.
91p (tasted 2018/12)
2006 Barolo Vigna Rionda, Luigi Pira
A high class nose with boatloads of fine red fruit, dried rose petals, earth, some cold coffe scents and a dark perfumed note that lingers on. Very deep. Just lovely. Still on the young side of things though.
The taste is stern and steady with notes of dried raspberries, asphalt, dried flowers, old leather and a ever so slight touch of mint. The tannins are broad but perfectly balanced. 5+ years. Great wine!
95p (tasted 2018/12)
My vote on the second flight - wine no 2 = Barolo/2 - Barbaresco/0
Third Flight
2001 Barbaresco Maria Adelaide, Bruno Rocca
This wine is a selection of the best grapes of Bruno Rocca´s vineayrds and are named after Bruno´s mother. It is a beauty. The nose is high, intense and multi layered with notes of dried stawberries, forest floor, dry licorice and a hint of mint. Starting to hit maturity. Very fine.
The taste is tight and concentrated with notes of herbs, dried strawberries, autumn leaves and violets. There are some finely polished tannins making their presence in the finish. 4+ years.
93p (tasted 2018/12)
1989 Barolo Riserva, Rocche Dei Manzone
This has a deep, mature, lovely nose with notes of mushrooms, cooked raspberries, rosehips and a Christmas tree! A very fine, sweet maturity. Very deep.
The taste is round, warm and focused with notes of dried raspberries, licorice, undergrowth and loads of rosehips. A very long, caressing finish. Two fine wines but I must give my vote on this perfectly mature Nebbiolo.
93p (tasted 2018/12)
My vote on the third flight - wine no 2 = Barolo/3 - Barbaresco/0
Fourth Flight
2007 Barolo Brunate, Vietti
A gorgeous, velvety, cool nose with notes of sweet/sour cherries, violets, dark licorice, dried flowers and tobacco. Very deep and refined.
The taste is structured and fine with notes of dried cherries, asphalt, rosehips and sweet tobacco. Very long and intense. Not a trace of heat. A very fine wine indeed. 5+ years.
95p (tasted 2018/12)
2004 Barbaresco Rabajä, Bruno Rocca
The Rabajä displays a tight, deep nose with notes of black cherries, licorice, fir wood and a whiff of mint (as in the Maria Adelaide). Very, very good.
The taste is tight and complex with notes of raspberry licorice, dark flowers, warh herbs and some dark chocolate. The finish is long and fine. 6+ years.
92p
My vote on the first flight - wine no 1 = Barolo/4 - Barbaresco/0
Fifth Flight
2013 Barbaresco Ovello, Produttori del Barbaresco
The Ovello has a young, racy, fine nose with notes of ripe lingonberries, sand, herbs and paint. Very, very good.
The taste is seedy and tight with notes of red cherries, herbs, earth and orange peel. A long, linear, focused finish. Great potential. 8+ years.
93p (tasted 2018/12)
2011 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione, Brovia
A dark, somewhat foursquare nose with notes of cigarette ash, dried cherries, bakelite and moist undergrowth. Very good fruit but a bit subdued in character.
The taste is warm and sandy with notes of dried lingonberries, earth, dry licorice and tobacco. Dry tannins. Again, very good fruit but the impression is of a angular wine (in a temporary phase?).
88p (tasted 2018/12)
My vote on the first flight - wine no 1 = Barolo/4 - Barbaresco/1
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