Light red-garnet color to rim. Scents of leather, cola, olive, ripe plum, and undergrowth predominate initially then evolve into more floral elements and roasted cherries. Flavor profile is a sweet version of the bouquet. Modest finish. A feminine, fully mature wine that benefits from food accompaniments. This bottle identical essentially to the last one.
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Medium garnet color, phenols coating the glass. Sweet aromas of grilled cherries, cola, leather, and cinnamon that transition with time to roasted plum and blueberries. The flavor profile is not as appealing as the bouquet. A fragrant wine of more modest structure at this point but it works well with foods that are not potently flavored/scented.
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Medium garnet. Aromas very developed with dried red cherry, moss and mushroom. Tannins resolved completely, but still intensely flavoured and bright acids, having candied red cherry, moss, mushroom, violets, coffee, and tar. Very complex wine, and lengthy. Nice!
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potpourri gathering (JS's): Transparent crimson. Nose roses. Deep. Palate: dark cherries with a striking purity of fruit flavor. as you sit and reflect on it, more herbal notes, a chewy depth to the texture. Deep.
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Perfect cork. P&P and followed over 3 hours. Out of the bottle it definitely had some pungency and begged patience. 1 hour in it started to show its stuff. Overall this drank very youthfully: a lovely pale garnet with strong bouquet of roses and asphalt. Once the wine had time to breathe the palate was a fully integrated cherry cola with the tannins fully integrated. Finish was a little thin. It felt past peak but still drinking well, and clearly had the hands of a master working over a so-so vintage to bring up the quality. Drink up.
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From a Barbaresco tasting with Gaja Barbaresco 2010, and the following wines from Produttori di Barbaresco: Montefico 2008, Moccagatta 2001, Montestefano 2009, Pora 2008, Paje 2008. Brown, almost amber in color. Nose dominate by very mature fruit in the vein of prunes and dates with clear overtones of citrus and volatile acidity. Clearly aged. Full bodied attack, first sweet fruit a-la prunes, dates, some caramel and coffee, as well as citrus at the end of the mid-palate. Fine tannins, a bit drying at the end, but the aftertaste is fresh and persistent for over a minute. This wine has probably started its descent, and would have been at the top 5-8 years ago. Still it is a fascinating wine, extremely well made, concentrated yet fine tuned to perfect balance. Five years earlier the score would have been higher.
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Decanted for a couple of hours - this was very enjoyable, showing really youthfully for a 22 year wine. The nose was classic Nebbiolo, with red berries infused with notes of flower petals, then learth, method and smoky, tarry spice. Very attractive. The palate still had a noticeable layer of fine but firm tannin structure to it, along with a nice bit of acidity, these robed around a decent core of red berry flavours, again infused with more secondary notes of meat, earth and a gentle floral note. Nice finish too, with that spicy, tarry tone picked up on the nose coming in on the back-palate. Not the greatest Giacosa Barberesco - this felt a tad structural and less lush than some of the greater vinataves - but an enjoyable drink nonetheless, with its best years still ahead of it. Try again in 2022 onwards.
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Controversial wine tonight, but I adored it. Opened two bottles to be sure they were representative. Aroma almost like a tawny port, dark garnet color with bricking. Silky soft wine with lovely soft fruit akin to old Burgundy.
Interestingly the wine was less controversial after an hour+, it shifted into an even higher gear. More fruit and smoother with more time.
This is one of those wines that honestly if you don’t appreciate it I sort of wonder why you would collect and drink wine. This wine doesn’t come to you, you have to come to it. But if you do, wow.
Of all things this was paired - brilliantly - with bluefin tuna and beef consommé. Bravissimo!
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Have owned them since release. Popped the cork at 3 hours before dinner. Slow oxed not decanted. Had to try a small sip just to make sure that it was not corked. Cork barely saturated and in perfect condition. Medium translucent with little nose. As I swirled it around it showed great legs and started to give some feints hints of flowers and not much else. We had this with our truffle cheese before dinner and it was just singing. It had gained depth of color and the nose was full of cut flowers, dark red fruits. Completely integrated into a smooth seamless drink. Not a powerhouse of a wine but pure finesse and totally in a great spot. Still enough tannin and acid to frame it beautifully. Even the non wine geeks recognized that it was special. Great bottle and looking forward to drinking the rest as it is near or at it peek. I'm sure this will last many more years. Giacosa is truly a master.
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Bruno Giacosa Dinner (Marchesa Private Dining - Chicago IL): Open two hours before serving. Absolutely classic - red cherry, dried rose petals, black pepper, black licorice. Good weight and length. At its peak now, but certainly no hurry to drink up.
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Excellent red cherry aromas with wonderful floral character and spice hints. Slightly more austere flavors, just starting to soften. Moderate intensity and length, but overall good balance, particularly by the final few sips.
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Opened from a magnum. The nose had dark currants, red fruits, soil, and herbs. The palate displayed dried red fruits and tea flavor with softened tannins. It's a textbook Nebbiolo. It is drinking well now.
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This is just the generic Barbaresco, but it shows very well- still some tannin, young fruit but showing developed complexity- tar, smoke, leather. Midbodied, rather elegant, this is much better than I would have expected. B+/A-
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Thanksgiving wines (Highland Park, IL): Nose: Reticent at first, but unveils itself into red cherries, roasted herbs, tar, fresh picked roses, strawberries, and crunchy red fruits. There is very good depth and layering with a feminine style.
Taste: medium bodied with medium/high acidity and silky tannins. Well balanced and youthful with roasted herbs, red cherries, strawberries, tar, and fresh picked roses.
Overall: This is starting to drink. It's still extremely youthful with very young tannins and acidity. This shows a lovely and elegant style to it that is on the understated side.
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Opened by Otis and paired with osso bucco. Decanted for 4 hours. Lighter than the 1996 Giacosa Barolo we also had. Floral nose. More acidic. The fruit was tarter with notes of cherry and plum. An outstanding wine but not as good as the 2000 Giacosa Barbaresco Asili Riserva that I had 8 years ago. 91-92 points.
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Fig, tar, cherry and tannins. Some age funk flavor that complements the structure and fruit of this wine. This is drinking lovely right now. Plenty of fruit and tannins left. Drank nice right out of the bottle and still holding strong an hour later. No doubt this is a classic I will compare other Nebiolo to for some time. Cork and bottle were in great shape.
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Classy stuff. Silky red berry and plum, floral notes, garbed leather, earth, and scents of wet leaves in autumn. On the palate, red fruit, orange zest, earth and dried herbs. Wonderful intensity while remaining cool and sappy. Orange bricking around the rim. Tremendous finish and a great wine for a variety of food pairings. This is why Giacosa is a true master.
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I'm getting just a hint of brett on this, but for Jacques this is undrinkable. I just assume this is differing sensitivities to different strains of brett. Good acids, spice, red fruit. B/B+
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Pop and pour. Pale mahogany at the rim of the glass, fading to deep burnt auburn at the center. Thick legs. On the nose, aromatics of rose petals, mint, and port. On the palate, completely integrated tannins, cherries, rosewater, and hints of sherry, with a smooth texture and a long finish. A perfect match with braised short ribs and glazed root vegetables.
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Fantastically floral nose. Violets, roses, and cherry blossoms. Lean and lithe on the palate, with focused blackberry fruit and some herbal and spice overtones. Resolute finish. Drinking pretty well now, but probably a couple years away from peaking. Very classy.
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Laurn was not a fan. (I was.) The initial nose -- which was port-like -- really put her off. Cola and coffee immediately. Dark cherries emerged after 4 hours. Chewey. Nothing subtle about this - showcasing both Giacosa style and Barbaresco generally in a big & powerful expression. Looking forward to trying again night 2.
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Sotheby's pre-auction tasting: My, this has a particular taste and aroma which just jumps at you. Wild cherries and then some cola nut. Really powerful stuff.
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Very good Barbaresco; fair Giacosa. Chewy ripe tannins typical of the vintage. Pretty aroma of cherry fruit fading to strawberry. With some time, the wine took on some complexity, with some truffles and slight anise emerging on the edge. I'm not sure I'm ever going to get into the tannins of the 98 vintage, but this was pretty tasty nebbiolo fruit with emerging complexity that fared rather well over the course of the evening. I enjoyed this bottle, which seemed to have more weight and darker fruit, over the last bottle. Definitely not a value, however...
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nice wine , one dimensional , a little burnt looking on the color , opened up a bit after an hour the nose had more going on than the pallette did unfotunately easy drinking pleasant
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Advanced color, some stewed fruit on the nose and palate. I would not pick this for a 98, but good - with tannin to go. I do worry this may have been baked somewhere in transport. Not bad, but just doesn't feel like a '98. B+/A-
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On Bruce's boat. Much more shy than a bottle two months ago, this wine took longer to open up. There's a good depth of sappy, red cherry fruit and this relatively young Barbaresco is showing the heady nose that good quality Nebbiolo delivers with age. In fact, I'm repeatedly enticed by its aroma, palate depth and feminine qualities (especially compared to the much darker 00 Scavino Carobric that Bruce opened). I think the bottle two months ago was more precocious, while this bottle is like the quiet beautiful woman who, at the end of the night, starts warming up to you.
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With several hours of air this becomes more interesting with sweet strawberry and cranberry fruit coming out to play with the balsam and tar. Floral and dusty with cinnamon and some baking spices. Decent ripeness. Ample structure. This is not profound, and it is not the best vintage of the base Giacosa Barbaresco, but it's still a very nice bottle and is still several years from mature, but I will have long since drunk all mine as my 99s and 01s will take even longer to come around :)
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It only took about 30 minutes for this wine to open up, with cranberry, dusty strawberry and some cinammon, briary underbrush notes (the underside of a rose bush, perhaps?) and iron on the palate. Smooth and cohesive, the tannins seem more dusty than firm, the wine is entering its plateau. I saved some for the next night, where it seemed that the bottom had deepened, yet it did not broaden horizontally or gain in complexity. Just an honest, good but not profound Barbaresco. Josh's TN on this wine (which he drank the day after I did) is very apt. B
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After being decanted nearly an hour still closed. But then... after nearly two hours this wine opens up and shows its worth. You smell delicate raisin, some rose-scent, red wood. Beautiful, hard to believe this is just an "ordinary" Barbaresco-"villages"! Super, it just keeps on opening up. Bruno Giacosa is definitely one of the best wine-makers of Italy. Two days ago I had its peer from Gaja: completely different, much friendlier, but this wine has a class that is hard to corner, but is very much sophisticated indeed. Lovely.
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Amazing bottle, time is being good to this. Still somewhat young with some tannins on the finish, but the nose is amazing (roses, tar and a myriad of other scents), light bodied, almost dark pink/light red and what a finsh.
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This started off thin, lean, mean - a tarry fragrance, but not much fun, and I'm thinking that the rest of the case is off to auction... but then, 45 mins in the glass, and it gets fuller, the texture becomes velvet, and a violet fragrance comes through the smell of old furniture and it ends up dense, fruity and thoroughly charming. And profound. Wine, eh. Bloody hell.
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Cork was completely dried out and just crumbled when trying to open. Eventually opened. Color was good, but nose was definitely off - almost brandy scented. Taste was actually reasonable, but not as complex or delicate as it should have been. Bought from Woodland Hills a year or so ago.
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This is still at the "starting to show maturity but clearly in need of age" stage -- vibrant acidity and clenching tannins married to truffles, rosewater, tar, candied red fruits, menthol. Will never be a legendary wine but it is very aromatic and very fine. It should continue to improve for several years, at least to my tastes.
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Compared it with a 1998 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Fuées of Louis Jadot. It came out better balanced and more elegant on the palate. However the Chambolle Musigny had a much fresher nose. Overall, both are top-class wines, but the Giacosa was just that bit more outstanding. France - Italy: 0-1.
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Dark garnet in color with orange tint on the rim. This bottle seemed mature and was drinking very well. Not much to add to previous notes except that the finish was extremely long and floral. Good Barbaresco. [Decanted 30 minutes with good results]
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DUO, Miami Barbareco BYO Dinner 1 & 2; 6/11/2007-6/12/2007: Tuesday, Flight 4, #2. Cesar's wine. Clearly best in this flight, and to my mind Tuesday's WOTN. I preferred it slightly to the 97 Moccagatta's, and the 98 Poderi Colla. Another note aptly described this as a classic Barbaresco, and I wouldn't argue with that assesment. Very good, but was eclipsed by the 2000 La Spinetta Starderi on Monday.
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Notes similar to the previous bottle but this bottle lacked overall complexity. Still good but just not quite to the level of the other bottles. There appears to be some bottle variation with this wine based on various reviews. I believe that my lot is one of the better ones as all of the previous bottles have been good.
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My first Giacosa. Not entirely disappointing, but not mind-blowing. I must say that the wine improved greatly on day #2. Nice ruby with a hint of brown, darkened with time in the glass. Nice leathery aromatics intertwined small hints of cherry pipe-tobacco. Medium rich in the mouth. Didn't get many pinpoint flavors here to be honest. The finish is long, tannins are still evident. Not a whole lot of acidity left and thus the wine lacked a sense of freshness.
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Clear garnet in color with an orange tinted rim; This was a Barbaresco entering maturity. There were cherry, floral and earthy aromas carrying through with the same flavors. The finish was very long and aromatic with cherry and minerals. Velvet texture. It was balanced with some evident acid and tannin and room for additional improvement. A wine that should always be with food.
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Cherry and rosehip plus something more mineral, both on the nose and the palate, lots of tannin there but well buffered, and the power became evident on the long almond tinged finish - a deep wine
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Opened 2 hours before consumption and left standing. Some orange / lightening at the rim shows this is maturing already. Immense pure nose of meat/blood, tar, roses, fennel, sweet cherries and cranberries, salty earth. Very well integrated and well built with great acidic verve, some healthy tannic bite remaining but secondary characteristics emerging already. Surprisingly full bodied and dense on the palate yet still pure and focused. Finishes with nice length with some slightly drying/puckering tannins. Huge typicity and purity and showing well now but give it a couple more years - still some room to improve a bit...
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Exquisite, but so difficult to explain exactly why. It's just so balanced, with tangy cherry and a little anise and coffee. Velvety, seductive, and great concentration of fruit, with a dry finish that paired perfectly with sea salt & herb de provence rubbed steak. Very long finish. Now I know what the fuss is about.
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Absolutely wonderful. Such a balanced and nuanced wine.... Not a big fruit bomb, but light cherry aromas framed by a light acidity... truly a beautifully drinking wine...
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This is what Barbaresco is all about. Wonderful cherry with a touch of coffee and tar. Drinking well now but will age many more years. For best results decant for an hour prior to serving. 91
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12/19/2023 - SteveHyde Likes this wine: 87 Points
Giacosa's Barbarescos are not good, but not up to his usual standard of excellence.
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7/4/2023 - Musinus wrote: 92 Points
Light red-garnet color to rim. Scents of leather, cola, olive, ripe plum, and undergrowth predominate initially then evolve into more floral elements
and roasted cherries. Flavor profile is a sweet version of the bouquet. Modest finish. A feminine, fully mature wine that benefits from food accompaniments. This bottle identical essentially to the last one.
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5/25/2023 - Musinus wrote: 92 Points
Medium garnet color, phenols coating the glass. Sweet aromas of grilled cherries, cola, leather, and cinnamon that transition with time to roasted plum and blueberries. The flavor profile is not as appealing as the bouquet. A fragrant wine of more modest structure at this point but it works well with foods that are not potently flavored/scented.
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12/15/2021 - vinhonotte Likes this wine: 92 Points
Medium garnet. Aromas very developed with dried red cherry, moss and mushroom. Tannins resolved completely, but still intensely flavoured and bright acids, having candied red cherry, moss, mushroom, violets, coffee, and tar. Very complex wine, and lengthy. Nice!
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6/19/2021 - fred o. Likes this wine: 93 Points
potpourri gathering (JS's): Transparent crimson.
Nose roses. Deep.
Palate: dark cherries with a striking purity of fruit flavor.
as you sit and reflect on it, more herbal notes, a chewy depth to the texture.
Deep.
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5/16/2021 - wxs2102 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Perfect cork. P&P and followed over 3 hours. Out of the bottle it definitely had some pungency and begged patience. 1 hour in it started to show its stuff. Overall this drank very youthfully: a lovely pale garnet with strong bouquet of roses and asphalt. Once the wine had time to breathe the palate was a fully integrated cherry cola with the tannins fully integrated. Finish was a little thin. It felt past peak but still drinking well, and clearly had the hands of a master working over a so-so vintage to bring up the quality. Drink up.
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2/20/2021 - dagij wrote: 90 Points
From a Barbaresco tasting with Gaja Barbaresco 2010, and the following wines from Produttori di Barbaresco: Montefico 2008, Moccagatta 2001, Montestefano 2009, Pora 2008, Paje 2008. Brown, almost amber in color. Nose dominate by very mature fruit in the vein of prunes and dates with clear overtones of citrus and volatile acidity. Clearly aged. Full bodied attack, first sweet fruit a-la prunes, dates, some caramel and coffee, as well as citrus at the end of the mid-palate. Fine tannins, a bit drying at the end, but the aftertaste is fresh and persistent for over a minute. This wine has probably started its descent, and would have been at the top 5-8 years ago. Still it is a fascinating wine, extremely well made, concentrated yet fine tuned to perfect balance. Five years earlier the score would have been higher.
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10/17/2020 - Paul S wrote: 92 Points
Decanted for a couple of hours - this was very enjoyable, showing really youthfully for a 22 year wine. The nose was classic Nebbiolo, with red berries infused with notes of flower petals, then learth, method and smoky, tarry spice. Very attractive. The palate still had a noticeable layer of
fine but firm tannin structure to it, along with a nice bit of acidity, these robed around a decent core of red berry flavours, again infused with more secondary notes of meat, earth and a gentle floral note. Nice finish too, with that spicy, tarry tone picked up on the nose coming in on the back-palate. Not the greatest Giacosa Barberesco - this felt a tad structural and less lush than some of the greater vinataves - but an enjoyable drink nonetheless, with its best years still ahead of it. Try again in 2022 onwards.
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3/26/2019 - Alex G. Likes this wine:
Controversial wine tonight, but I adored it. Opened two bottles to be sure they were representative. Aroma almost like a tawny port, dark garnet color with bricking. Silky soft wine with lovely soft fruit akin to old Burgundy.
Interestingly the wine was less controversial after an hour+, it shifted into an even higher gear. More fruit and smoother with more time.
This is one of those wines that honestly if you don’t appreciate it I sort of wonder why you would collect and drink wine. This wine doesn’t come to you, you have to come to it. But if you do, wow.
Of all things this was paired - brilliantly - with bluefin tuna and beef consommé. Bravissimo!
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6/10/2017 - repoper wrote: 93 Points
Have owned them since release. Popped the cork at 3 hours before dinner. Slow oxed not decanted. Had to try a small sip just to make sure that it was not corked. Cork barely saturated and in perfect condition. Medium translucent with little nose. As I swirled it around it showed great legs and started to give some feints hints of flowers and not much else. We had this with our truffle cheese before dinner and it was just singing. It had gained depth of color and the nose was full of cut flowers, dark red fruits. Completely integrated into a smooth seamless drink. Not a powerhouse of a wine but pure finesse and totally in a great spot. Still enough tannin and acid to frame it beautifully. Even the non wine geeks recognized that it was special. Great bottle and looking forward to drinking the rest as it is near or at it peek. I'm sure this will last many more years. Giacosa is truly a master.
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6/6/2017 - Burgundy Al wrote: 91 Points
Bruno Giacosa Dinner (Marchesa Private Dining - Chicago IL): Open two hours before serving. Absolutely classic - red cherry, dried rose petals, black pepper, black licorice. Good weight and length. At its peak now, but certainly no hurry to drink up.
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8/18/2016 - Floyd77 wrote: 88 Points
Fading fast
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5/21/2016 - Burgundy Al wrote: 91 Points
Excellent red cherry aromas with wonderful floral character and spice hints. Slightly more austere flavors, just starting to soften. Moderate intensity and length, but overall good balance, particularly by the final few sips.
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12/4/2015 - slbelln wrote: 90 Points
This wine needs at least 5 more years. Opened 4 hours before and decanted.Deep color with a tannin overload.
Have lots of patience.
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10/11/2015 - D. Fulton wrote: 90 Points
Austere and tannic. Lots of chewy tannins. Quite compelling in terms of structure, if not fully convincing as a whole. Decanting highly recommended.
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7/14/2015 - TrueLoker Likes this wine: 93 Points
pepper, earth & leather. Complex & harmonic!!!
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6/14/2015 - Burgnick wrote: 91 Points
Opened from a magnum. The nose had dark currants, red fruits, soil, and herbs. The palate displayed dried red fruits and tea flavor with softened tannins. It's a textbook Nebbiolo. It is drinking well now.
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3/27/2015 - toedocdawg wrote: 90 Points
A little flat, but still good. Wish we'd opened this a few years back. Still enjoyable thiuh
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1/10/2015 - Spencer wrote:
My last bottle of this wine, and definitely the best. Structure has resolved, textbook, old-school nebbiolo nose. Elegant. I would drink this now.
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1/12/2014 - BenU wrote: 91 Points
too long ago and only realised no note was done, sorry
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12/6/2013 - DaleW wrote:
This is just the generic Barbaresco, but it shows very well- still some tannin, young fruit but showing developed complexity- tar, smoke, leather. Midbodied, rather elegant, this is much better than I would have expected. B+/A-
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11/28/2013 - KeithAkers wrote: 92 Points
Thanksgiving wines (Highland Park, IL): Nose: Reticent at first, but unveils itself into red cherries, roasted herbs, tar, fresh picked roses, strawberries, and crunchy red fruits. There is very good depth and layering with a feminine style.
Taste: medium bodied with medium/high acidity and silky tannins. Well balanced and youthful with roasted herbs, red cherries, strawberries, tar, and fresh picked roses.
Overall: This is starting to drink. It's still extremely youthful with very young tannins and acidity. This shows a lovely and elegant style to it that is on the understated side.
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3/23/2013 - Xavier Auerbach wrote: flawed
Académie des Cinquante Piemonte tasting (Restaurant De Burgemeester *, Linschoten, Netherlands): Oxidised. Dead.
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1/26/2013 - otisabdul Likes this wine: 91 Points
Still a little stern, but cleary well-made. Hold for 3+ years or decant heavily.
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1/26/2013 - Vino Me wrote: 91 Points
Opened by Otis and paired with osso bucco. Decanted for 4 hours. Lighter than the 1996 Giacosa Barolo we also had. Floral nose. More acidic. The fruit was tarter with notes of cherry and plum. An outstanding wine but not as good as the 2000 Giacosa Barbaresco Asili Riserva that I had 8 years ago. 91-92 points.
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10/14/2012 - ChicagoBas wrote: 92 Points
Fig, tar, cherry and tannins. Some age funk flavor that complements the structure and fruit of this wine. This is drinking lovely right now. Plenty of fruit and tannins left. Drank nice right out of the bottle and still holding strong an hour later. No doubt this is a classic I will compare other Nebiolo to for some time. Cork and bottle were in great shape.
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1/18/2012 - kenv wrote: 89 Points
WCC Domenico Selections Tasting with Jeff Mazen (The Chef's Table at Cafe Capriccio, Albany, NY): Continues the mixed experience I have had with this wine. It's elegant, but has more tannin than I think the fruit can carry. Not an estate bottled wine.
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11/12/2011 - 1800kidney wrote: 94 Points
Dinner with Great Friends at Fountain Restaurant (Four Seasons Hotel, Philadelphia): Wonderful Barbaresco! deep color, great presence with well rounded tannins, beautiful fruit and long finish...has the stuffing to last another 10-20 years
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9/18/2011 - Loren Sonkin wrote: flawed
Corked
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9/10/2011 - steffenpelz wrote:
Classy stuff. Silky red berry and plum, floral notes, garbed leather, earth, and scents of wet leaves in autumn. On the palate, red fruit, orange zest, earth and dried herbs. Wonderful intensity while remaining cool and sappy. Orange bricking around the rim. Tremendous finish and a great wine for a variety of food pairings. This is why Giacosa is a true master.
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8/21/2011 - cadamson wrote: 94 Points
Same as 3 years ago. Amazing bottle of wine. Pretty much a field of flowers on the nose, great on the palate, outstanding with food.
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11/16/2010 - DaleW wrote:
I'm getting just a hint of brett on this, but for Jacques this is undrinkable. I just assume this is differing sensitivities to
different strains of brett. Good acids, spice, red fruit. B/B+
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4/2/2010 - jshufelt wrote: 95 Points
Pop and pour. Pale mahogany at the rim of the glass, fading to deep burnt auburn at the center. Thick legs. On the nose, aromatics of rose petals, mint, and port. On the palate, completely integrated tannins, cherries, rosewater, and hints of sherry, with a smooth texture and a long finish. A perfect match with braised short ribs and glazed root vegetables.
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2/27/2010 - otisabdul wrote: 92 Points
Fantastically floral nose. Violets, roses, and cherry blossoms. Lean and lithe on the palate, with focused blackberry fruit and some herbal and spice overtones. Resolute finish. Drinking pretty well now, but probably a couple years away from peaking. Very classy.
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12/28/2009 - randalleron wrote:
Laurn was not a fan. (I was.) The initial nose -- which was port-like -- really put her off. Cola and coffee immediately. Dark cherries emerged after 4 hours. Chewey. Nothing subtle about this - showcasing both Giacosa style and Barbaresco generally in a big & powerful expression. Looking forward to trying again night 2.
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11/12/2009 - Omar Khayyam wrote: 91 Points
Sotheby's pre-auction tasting: My, this has a particular taste and aroma which just jumps at you. Wild cherries and then some cola nut. Really powerful stuff.
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10/11/2009 - MC wrote:
Drinking well, but time to go. Give it a little air to get started. I think the previous note was just an off bottle. B+/A-
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7/17/2009 - baroloboy55 wrote: 89 Points
Very good Barbaresco; fair Giacosa. Chewy ripe tannins typical of the vintage. Pretty aroma of cherry fruit fading to strawberry. With some time, the wine took on some complexity, with some truffles and slight anise emerging on the edge. I'm not sure I'm ever going to get into the tannins of the 98 vintage, but this was pretty tasty nebbiolo fruit with emerging complexity that fared rather well over the course of the evening. I enjoyed this bottle, which seemed to have more weight and darker fruit, over the last bottle. Definitely not a value, however...
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6/19/2009 - jsebiri wrote: 88 Points
nice wine , one dimensional , a little burnt looking on the color , opened up a bit after an hour the nose had more going on than the pallette did unfotunately easy drinking pleasant
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5/30/2009 - MC wrote:
Advanced color, some stewed fruit on the nose and palate. I would not pick this for a 98, but good - with tannin to go. I do worry this may have been baked somewhere in transport. Not bad, but just doesn't feel like a '98. B+/A-
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5/15/2009 - Pknut wrote:
On Bruce's boat. Much more shy than a bottle two months ago, this wine took longer to open up. There's a good depth of sappy, red cherry fruit and this relatively young Barbaresco is showing the heady nose that good quality Nebbiolo delivers with age. In fact, I'm repeatedly enticed by its aroma, palate depth and feminine qualities (especially compared to the much darker 00 Scavino Carobric that Bruce opened). I think the bottle two months ago was more precocious, while this bottle is like the quiet beautiful woman who, at the end of the night, starts warming up to you.
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2/25/2009 - pbjosh wrote: 92 Points
With several hours of air this becomes more interesting with sweet strawberry and cranberry fruit coming out to play with the balsam and tar. Floral and dusty with cinnamon and some baking spices. Decent ripeness. Ample structure. This is not profound, and it is not the best vintage of the base Giacosa Barbaresco, but it's still a very nice bottle and is still several years from mature, but I will have long since drunk all mine as my 99s and 01s will take even longer to come around :)
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2/24/2009 - Pknut wrote:
It only took about 30 minutes for this wine to open up, with cranberry, dusty strawberry and some cinammon, briary underbrush notes (the underside of a rose bush, perhaps?) and iron on the palate. Smooth and cohesive, the tannins seem more dusty than firm, the wine is entering its plateau. I saved some for the next night, where it seemed that the bottom had deepened, yet it did not broaden horizontally or gain in complexity. Just an honest, good but not profound Barbaresco. Josh's TN on this wine (which he drank the day after I did) is very apt. B
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2/9/2009 - MC wrote:
Drinking well right now. B+
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12/26/2008 - randomly wrote: 92 Points
Very effusive burgundian nose; rustic grippy mouthfeel.
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12/21/2008 - MauriceE wrote: 92 Points
After being decanted nearly an hour still closed. But then... after nearly two hours this wine opens up and shows its worth. You smell delicate raisin, some rose-scent, red wood. Beautiful, hard to believe this is just an "ordinary" Barbaresco-"villages"! Super, it just keeps on opening up. Bruno Giacosa is definitely one of the best wine-makers of Italy. Two days ago I had its peer from Gaja: completely different, much friendlier, but this wine has a class that is hard to corner, but is very much sophisticated indeed. Lovely.
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10/19/2008 - cadamson wrote: 95 Points
Amazing bottle, time is being good to this. Still somewhat young with some tannins on the finish, but the nose is amazing (roses, tar and a myriad of other scents), light bodied, almost dark pink/light red and what a finsh.
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8/7/2008 - Rupert wrote: 91 Points
This started off thin, lean, mean - a tarry fragrance, but not much fun, and I'm thinking that the rest of the case is off to auction... but then, 45 mins in the glass, and it gets fuller, the texture becomes velvet, and a violet fragrance comes through the smell of old furniture and it ends up dense, fruity and thoroughly charming. And profound. Wine, eh. Bloody hell.
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6/22/2008 - cadamson wrote: flawed
Cork was completely dried out and just crumbled when trying to open. Eventually opened. Color was good, but nose was definitely off - almost brandy scented. Taste was actually reasonable, but not as complex or delicate as it should have been. Bought from Woodland Hills a year or so ago.
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4/13/2008 - pbjosh wrote: 93 Points
This is still at the "starting to show maturity but clearly in need of age" stage -- vibrant acidity and clenching tannins married to truffles, rosewater, tar, candied red fruits, menthol. Will never be a legendary wine but it is very aromatic and very fine. It should continue to improve for several years, at least to my tastes.
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12/8/2007 - RMC wrote: 94 Points
Compared it with a 1998 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Fuées of Louis Jadot. It came out better balanced and more elegant on the palate. However the Chambolle Musigny had a much fresher nose. Overall, both are top-class wines, but the Giacosa was just that bit more outstanding. France - Italy: 0-1.
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10/14/2007 - Spencer wrote: 92 Points
I think this needs more time to show its best, but very enjoyable now. Classic Barbaresco nose and mouthfeel. Long finish. Great balance.
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10/7/2007 - Winetex wrote: 91 Points
Dark garnet in color with orange tint on the rim. This bottle seemed mature and was drinking very well. Not much to add to previous notes except that the finish was extremely long and floral. Good Barbaresco. [Decanted 30 minutes with good results]
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6/14/2007 - Spencer wrote: 91 Points
This tastes fully mature to me, although it should certainly hold for a while. Complex, classic/traditional Barbaresco.
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6/12/2007 - markellen.foodies@gmail.com wrote: 92 Points
DUO, Miami Barbareco BYO Dinner 1 & 2; 6/11/2007-6/12/2007: Tuesday, Flight 4, #2. Cesar's wine. Clearly best in this flight, and to my mind Tuesday's WOTN. I preferred it slightly to the 97 Moccagatta's, and the 98 Poderi Colla. Another note aptly described this as a classic Barbaresco, and I wouldn't argue with that assesment. Very good, but was eclipsed by the 2000 La Spinetta Starderi on Monday.
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5/26/2007 - Winetex wrote: 91 Points
No bottle variation with this bottle. It actually improved when tasted on day 2.
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4/8/2007 - Winetex wrote: 90 Points
Notes similar to the previous bottle but this bottle lacked overall complexity. Still good but just not quite to the level of the other bottles. There appears to be some bottle variation with this wine based on various reviews. I believe that my lot is one of the better ones as all of the previous bottles have been good.
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3/2/2007 - BlumJ wrote: 88 Points
My first Giacosa. Not entirely disappointing, but not mind-blowing. I must say that the wine improved greatly on day #2. Nice ruby with a hint of brown, darkened with time in the glass. Nice leathery aromatics intertwined small hints of cherry pipe-tobacco. Medium rich in the mouth. Didn't get many pinpoint flavors here to be honest. The finish is long, tannins are still evident. Not a whole lot of acidity left and thus the wine lacked a sense of freshness.
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1/2/2007 - Winetex wrote: 92 Points
Clear garnet in color with an orange tinted rim; This was a Barbaresco entering maturity. There were cherry, floral and earthy aromas carrying through with the same flavors. The finish was very long and aromatic with cherry and minerals. Velvet texture. It was balanced with some evident acid and tannin and room for additional improvement. A wine that should always be with food.
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12/30/2006 - Rupert wrote: 90 Points
Cherry and rosehip plus something more mineral, both on the nose and the palate, lots of tannin there but well buffered, and the power became evident on the long almond tinged finish - a deep wine
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12/2/2006 - 97mjr wrote:
not decanted. Balanced, concentrated, accessible. Nose of balsamic, roses, tar. Cherry and earth, high acidity on the palate. Requires food.
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10/31/2006 - pbjosh wrote: 92 Points
Opened 2 hours before consumption and left standing. Some orange / lightening at the rim shows this is maturing already. Immense pure nose of meat/blood, tar, roses, fennel, sweet cherries and cranberries, salty earth. Very well integrated and well built with great acidic verve, some healthy tannic bite remaining but secondary characteristics emerging already. Surprisingly full bodied and dense on the palate yet still pure and focused. Finishes with nice length with some slightly drying/puckering tannins. Huge typicity and purity and showing well now but give it a couple more years - still some room to improve a bit...
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10/20/2006 - danibus wrote: 92 Points
Exquisite, but so difficult to explain exactly why. It's just so balanced, with tangy cherry and a little anise and coffee. Velvety, seductive, and great concentration of fruit, with a dry finish that paired perfectly with sea salt & herb de provence rubbed steak. Very long finish. Now I know what the fuss is about.
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1/8/2006 - carlwhat wrote: 94 Points
Absolutely wonderful. Such a balanced and nuanced wine.... Not a big fruit bomb, but light cherry aromas framed by a light acidity... truly a beautifully drinking wine...
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1/10/2005 - Tubbs wrote: 91 Points
This is what Barbaresco is all about. Wonderful cherry with a touch of coffee and tar. Drinking well now but will age many more years. For best results decant for an hour prior to serving. 91
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