Friday 16 August 2013

Four Bottles of Barolo

The Nebbiolo level in my bloodstream has sunken to a dangerously low level the past weeks. Granted, there are Rossese and other wines flowing around there, but I can´t let the Nebbiolo level get too low, there´s no telling what might happen!
So the past couple of days I have opened these bottles, and I feel much better, more alive, it have almost been like a touch of blessing...

1980 Barolo, Fontanafredda
A mature, round, sweet nose with notes of moist undergrowth, dried mushrooms, rose petals, coca cola candy and wet dog. Intriguing. Not that deep or complex, but yummy in its own way.
The taste is velvety, light and very much alive with notes of dried raspberries, autumn leaves, dried mushrooms and old, stale chocolate. A little dry at the end. Nice, but this has started its journey towards its demise.
78p   (tasted 2013/08)


Fontanafredda & Conterno Fantino

1990 Barolo Brunate, Ceretto
Besides a perfectly aged Grand Cru Burgundy, there is nothing that eclipse the aromas of a perfectly aged Barolo. Ok, a perfectly aged Madeira is also magical, but I digress.
This beauty offers up an ethereal nose with lots and lots of crushed rose petals, dried strawberries, dried ceps, cigarette ashes and some balsamic scents. Hauntingly deep and refined. Beautiful!
The taste is aristocratic, deep, complex and full of mature flavours. Lovely notes of rosehips, dried wild strawberries, lingonberries, mushrooms and autumn leaves. Very long and balanced, the finish just lingers on and on. Simply amazing!
94p   (tasted 2013/08)




2004 Barolo Sori Ginestra, Conterno Fantino
Absolutely stunning! Albeit young of course, but this has the stuffing for a great future. But even today it delivers utter enjoyment. The nose is deep, complex, tight and focused with notes of sweet black cherries, licorice, black tea, freshly picked roses and pipe tobacco. A gorgeously perfumed note. Very deep. A sheer beauty.
The taste is very young, tight and concentrated with notes of hard cherry candy, rosehips, black tea and expensive leather. The finish goes on for over a minute. The tannins creeps up on you in the end. This still needs another 8+ years in the cellar.
93p   (tasted 2013/08)

2007 Barolo Albe, G. D. Vajra
At first this young Barolo is a bit ungainly, but it opens up nicely in the decanter. Fine notes of rosehips, red cherries, tea bags, hard cherry candy and rosépeppar. Medium deep. Still very young.
The taste is young and tight with notes of lingonberries, hard cherry candy, licorice and forest floor. Even with considerable air there is a touch of foursquareness in the finish. Perhaps a couple of years in the cellar will smooth it out. Very good with food.
84p   (tasted 2013/08)


6 comments:

  1. I was thinking about popping a 2004 Conterno Fantino Ginestra out of curiosity, but maybe I should wait...

    Have you tried the 2008 Vajra Albe? Cooler vintage of course. I was not totally convinced, but need to try it again soon. Maybe had too high expectations after Gallonis 93 p...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Depends how many you have...:-) It is very nice to drink now, with plenty of air, but will get better,

      No, haven't tasted the 2008 Albe, but have one in the pipeline!

      Delete
  2. Wow the Albe score is very pathetic for a such well known Barolo ......

    I am fully on with the Brunate....my last was 1995.....stunning Nebbiolo

    Do you taste the Barolo from Schiavenza ?

    Just got some 2007 Broglio and Bricco Cerretta.....

    ReplyDelete
  3. Well known isn´t the same as "great"...

    Yes, but only one bottle of 03 Broglio - http://barolista.blogspot.se/2012/04/great-saturday-night.html

    ReplyDelete
  4. Enjoyed a bottle of 1982 Ceretto Brunate recently. It was WOTN at a tasting dinner. 2nd place went to 1990 Badia Sangioveto. cheers

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Aaaaah, the 82´s of Ceretto - I had the great Zonchera a few years ago - http://barolista.blogspot.se/2012/01/ten-most-memorable-wines-of-2011.html, and then I have had the perfect Bricco Rocche five years ago - http://barolista.blogspot.se/2011/11/perfect-ones-part-2.html
      Would love to taste the 82 Brunate!

      /Joakim

      Delete