Finally!

Naming a blog Barolista and up until now, not having one Barolo in the posts??? Well, here is one now - and there will be lots more to come...:-)

2001 Barolo San Giovanni, Gianfranco Alessandria
Bought in Alba at the estate. It really stood out when tasting through their range, although the 2004 Barbera d`Alba Vittoria also was great (92p).
A deep, fine, tight nose at first with lots of sweet red currants, red cherries and some immature rasberries. With air the fruit becomes sweeter and notes of sandel wood, dry licorice and wood smoke emerges. After three hours in the decanter there is dried roses all over the place! Very, very good.
The taste is at the beginning very tight with sweet tannins as the solid impression, but with air the gorgeous red fruit shines through. Some dry licorice, wet forest floor an a hint of tobacco as well. A very, long, dry finish. This beauty has, with some decanting, started to open up a little, but I will refrain from open another bottle for another 3-4 years.
93p   (tasted 2011/10)