Friday Dinner Baroli - Two Times 2001 Barolo

Not just one, but two bottles!  After a hectic week, nothing could be better than pouring two large glasses of prime Nebbiolo.

2001 Barolo, Leone Giacosa
No, not that Giacosa. Not the other one either. But a Barolo from Leone Giacosa. A first for me, and a nice one at that.
The nose is a bit shy and old fashioned with some (nice) murky aromas, and notes of dried cherries, dried mushrooms, bay leaves and forest floor. Evolves nicely over the evening. Cool red fruit. Very good.
The taste is seedy and dry with notes of dried red cherries, sweet lingonberries, mushrooms and a hint of asphalt. The finish is long and warm. A touch rustic, in a very good way. Drinking well now and a perfect companion to an oven roasted chicken with root vegetables and a garlic sauce.
88p   (tasted 2016/03)

2001 Barolo Riserva Essenze, Terradevino
This is a whole another creature, deeper, more forward, modern and, yes, yummy! The fruit is riper, sweeter and more structured, with notes of sweet morello´s, pipe tobacco, liquorice and smoke. There are some new wood here but its supporting the sweet fruit, not hiding it. Very, very good. Still on the young side of things.
The taste is upfront, generous and lovely - at first. In the finish the tannins come forwards and shut things down. The fruits is more black than red, and there are additional notes of dark chocolate, pipe tobacco and liquorice. The finish is very, very long and intense. This needs another 5+ years in the cellar, and I am glad to have more bottles.
92p   (tasted 2016/03)