NK 1978/1982 Barolo & Barbaresco Dinner

This is the first evening of this Nebbiolo Knights weekend. We met the superb restaurant Dovetail to taste an interesting assortment of Barbarescos and Barolo from 1978 and 1982, two of the best vintages from that era.

We had a quite a mix of wines, so we ended up drinking them in pairs creating themes as best we could.

Photos and more details on my website.

• 1989 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 95 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  Corvin'ed at Ben's. Smoky, complex nose. Right at its peak of maturity, I think. Absolutely delicious.

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• NV Emmanuel Brochet Champagne Premier Cru Le Mont Benoit Brut Non Dosé 92 Points

  France, Champagne, Champagne Premier Cru

  Bought off the restaurant wine list. Light, crisp, complex, soft. A lovely start.

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• 1978 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Ovello 92 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  [Double-decanted around 9am.] Black cherry nose. Very appealing up front with nice black cherry fruit, but a bit dirty on the finish.

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• 1978 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà 94 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  [Double-decanted around 11am.] Earthy mulch and red fruit nose. Quite harmonious and structured. Rich black fruit. Terrific.

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• 1982 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Ovello 93 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  [Double-decanted around 2pm.] Loads of sweet red fruit in the nose. Still tannic and young. Plenty of fruit. Splendid. Notably younger than the 78. Delicious.

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• 1982 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà 96 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  [Double-decanted around 2pm.] Dark black fruit and licorice nose. Rich thick stunning. Even after flight 5 this is showing brilliantly. My #2 WOTN.

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• 1978 Gaja Barbaresco Costa Russi 97 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  [Double-decanted around 9am.] Gorgeous sweet floral red fruit nose. In the mouth, black fruit and tannins. A magnificent wine. My WOTN.

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• 1982 Roagna Barbaresco Crichët Pajé Flawed

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  Corked.

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• 1982 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Rocche di Castiglione Falletto 94 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  [Double-decanted around 2pm.] Heavenly nose of roses and cherries. Structured and complex. Still some tannin. Fragrant and complex in the mouth, but a bit short. Still a terrific wine.

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• 1982 Vietti Barolo Rocche 95 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  [Double-decanted around 2pm.] Rich, red fruit nose. Complex and expansive in the mouth. Just a delicious long complex wine with wonderful sweet fruit. Tonight, this beats out the Giacosa due to its length. My #3 WOTN.

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• 1982 Bartolo Mascarello Barolo 94 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  [Double-decanted around noon.] Meaty red fruit nose. Tick and silky. Complex and expansive. A joy to drink.

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• 1982 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Cascina Francia 95 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  [Double-decanted around noon.] Slightly hot black fruit nose. Rich, silky, complex. Expansive. Another delicious wine.

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• 1978 Cordero di Montezemolo Barolo Vigna Enrico VI 93 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  [Double-decanted around 2pm.] Lovely, ripe fruit. Youthful. A very well-made wine.

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• 1982 Luciano Sandrone Barolo Flawed

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Cooked or oxidized. :(

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Two bad bottles, but all in all an interesting and enjoyable evening of good food and good wines with good old friends.