December 10, 2021 - Still has life. Frankly amazed that there is any fruit left. It’s been open for almost 4 hours now and continues to evolve a bit, pretty incredible.
August 13, 2020 - Past its prime.
December 31, 2019 - The bottle was in pristine shape, but after removing flawless foil, the cork was soaked through and dropped right into the bottle. I was concerned, but the wine was still very much alive!
Lots of cloudy sentiment--agree with previous comment: best to let this one rest upright for a while (ideally at least 2-3 days) before serving.
We decanted it (mostly due to the cork that dropped in). Took about 30-45 minutes in the decanter to really open but then it was great.
Probably entering the home stretch, so drink up!
March 13, 2018 - Unfortunately we didn't have time to let the wine sit and let the sediment settle down as be brought it to a restaurant. For a 50th birthday celebration, however, it was fun trying this wine. Still has some structure and an "osteoporotic" backbone (slowly going shrinking!) but still a fun fine overall
December 12, 2016 - Stood up for 4 days, opened and decanted off what was a tremendous amount of sediment at 2, put back in the bottle at 6 and brought to dinner where we drank it at about 8. At first it was pungent and fruity, then I got worried because at about 5 it seemed kind of dead, but it bloomed and was really lovely when we drank it. There was still a core of cherry fruit but the wine now is more about secondary and tertiary characteristics - truffles, medicinal herbs, forest-y earth. The mouthfeel and overall impression is that of a very old wine, but still somehow shows more than just flashes of good energy and vibrancy. Delicious, interesting, very much of a place, and a great experience.
April 26, 2016 - Two visitors, three birthdays and seventeen wines from all over. (ABA Turkish Restaurant): Pretty well maderized and beef brothy with balsam notes and a surprisingly intact core of cherry fruit, but the wine really dries out and turns austere on the back half of the palate. Drink up as it's on life support and the priest is in the room. B-/C+.
March 18, 2016 - Nearing the end of its drinkable window, but this Barbaresco still has some life in it, particularly if you enjoy mature Nebbiolo. High-toned and lifted, with an initial nose of VA giving way to balsamic resiny notes and tobacco leaf. Fully integrated tannins. Lacking power in the mouth, with a weak finish. Enjoy now.
August 23, 2015 - Deep garnet color with an orangy rim. Intense nose of resin, dry red berries, tobacco leaf, spicebox, and mushroom. Medium bodied on the palate with great presence, focus, and persistence.