Rare Wine Co's Giacosa Riserva Dinner

Mannie Berk and Rare Wine Co put on this amazing dinner, one of the greatest of my life. A vertical of Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Asili Riserva, followed by a vertical of Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto/Rocche del Falletto Riserva. The guest of honor was Bruno's daughter Bruna who brought the younger wines (since 2000). The older wines were provided by Rare Wine Co.

The food was perhaps the best I have had at Del Posto and very well matched to the wines. I was assigned a seat with a delightful group of people including Bruna herself.

Photos and more details can be found on my website:
http://www.finewinegeek.com/tn/2013-10-27_Rare_Giacosa/

• 2007 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Riserva Asili 95 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  Bright red fruit and mineral nose. Silky tannin. Light now. Will surely gain weight over time. Great length. 94-97

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• 2004 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Riserva Asili 98 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  Much more structured and tannic than the 2007. More muted dark fruit nose. More complex on the long finish. Shutting down now. Should probably wait a decade to try this again. Great wine. 97-99

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• 2000 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Riserva Asili 93 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  More earth and dried cherry in the nose. Surprisingly mature, even for 2000. Need to try another bottle.

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• 1967 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Riserva Speciale Asili 97 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  Glorious mature nose of dried cherries with hints of licorice and cinnamon. Ethereal in the mouth. Totally mature but with the juicy fruit (cherries and apples) of a totally alive wine. Fading as it sits in the glass. No reason to wait, if you are lucky enough to own this great wine.

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• 1990 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Riserva Asili 98 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  Huge nose of red fruits and spice. Great length. A vibrant and stunning wine. I can't see it getting better, but how much better is there?

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• 1996 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Riserva Asili 99 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  Bright red fruit in the nose, much like the 2007! Cherries jubilee in the mouth. Tight up front but explodes in the back. Amazing length with interesting spice at the end. An incredibly complex wine that is well worth trying now if you have more than one. Probably hit 100 points in 5-10 years.

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• 1961 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Riserva Speciale 100 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  [Brought by another attendee who gave a taste to Ed, who let me finish it. I love these guys!!!] One of the most ethereal wines I have ever put in my mouth. Tasted in this context, I can fully appreciate how great this perfect old wine is. The finish lasts for minutes. As great as any old wine can be. I am blown away.

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• 2008 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Riserva Le Rocche Del Falletto 96 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Muted cherry and tar nose. Very tannic. A beast of a wine. Massive and hard to judge at this stage. Opening up slowly. Would love to follow this over night. Alas . . . 95-98?

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• 2007 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Riserva Le Rocche Del Falletto 95 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Bright cherry nose similar to the 2007 Asili Riserva. Sweet. Will mature more quickly than the 2008 and drink well young.

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• 2004 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Riserva Le Rocche del Falletto di Serralunga d'Alba 98 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Muted nose but explosive in the mouth with cherry-coated tannins and great length. 97-99 in 10 years, maybe more.

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• 2001 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Riserva Le Rocche del Falletto di Serralunga d'Alba 100 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Showing some secondary aromas in the nose. Explodes in the mouth. Amazing wine! Still young and tannic but so obviously great now and for the next 30 years. May be the the greatest Le Rocche del Falletto made. This is what Giacosa is all about: power and grace. Mind blown.

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• 2000 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Riserva Le Rocche del Falletto di Serralunga d'Alba 98 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Big nose of minerals and cherries. Wow! Almost as structured as the 2001. Liquored cherries. A terrific and complex wine. Wine of the vintage.

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• 1996 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Riserva Falletto di Serralunga d'Alba 99 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Tight nose. A backward beast. Black tarry fruit in the mouth. Monumental. Needs another decade or a lot more air. 98-100

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• 1990 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Riserva Falletto di Serralunga d'Alba 96 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Smoky red fruit nose. Tannic and sweet in the mouth. Great sweetness and complexity. An excellent example of the 1990.

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• 1989 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Riserva Falletto di Serralunga d'Alba 95 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  More mature in the nose and mouth. Seems much older than it should. Still an impressive wine, but not the best example of this wine I've had.

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• 1971 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Riserva Speciale Falletto di Serralunga d'Alba 96 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Ethereal nose of porcini, dried cherries and flowers. Amazing in the mouth. Long finish of cherries and mulching fall leaves. Still solid and a special pleasure to drink.

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• 1985 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Riserva Falletto di Serralunga d'Alba 93 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Quite mature. Lovely, but fading.

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• 1986 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Riserva Falletto di Serralunga d'Alba 95 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Fully mature, but still plenty of life left. Beautiful long finish. A very enjoyable wine to drink tonight.

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An unforgettable experience. These wines are so great.