Vinous Monfortino Dinner with Roberto Conterno; 2/1/2024-2/2/2024 (Legacy Records, NYC): The '78 is a wine I have dreamed of tasting, and it did not disappoint, although even so I found myself preferring the more recent vintages. This is such a youthful, vibrant wine that will seemingly be immortal with proper storage. On the nose, I found dark red cherry fruit, iron / blood, roast meats, balsamic spices, and a hint of VA. On the palate, the wine is so youthful, full in body with the tannins having largely integrated by now, creating a perfect mouthfeel. Dark red fruit, leather, balsamic, sweet spices, and iron are among the many notes in this complex wine. As with most of the wines, there is a perfect blend of fruit and savory characteristics and the wine is very vibrant with high acidity.
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Tasted blind, this wine had a deep red center with light red / orange rims. The medium intensity nose put forth cola, black cherry, black spices, and fresh tobacco.
In the mouth, this wine was rich, balanced, and showed notable rounded tannin. It seem a touch tight even though it had received several hours of air.
This wine came across like a heavy duty Burgundy until some of the Nebbiolo flavors started to show themselves. It was beautiful and I would expect it to improve over the next 10 years and last many decades.
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All bottles opened 12 hours in advance for bottle breath.
Dark and brooding at first even after 12 hours of bottle breath. Then waves of balsamic-laced fruit hits you head-on, very deep but lifted. Laser focus mid-palate opens to impressive finish that goes on and on. This bottle feels so young and has the stuffing to go on for another 20 years with ease.
Noble and fascinating.
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Did need 3 hours decanting but then great overwhelming complex nose lots of different fruits first layers of mushroom and truffle dark chocolate and sweet spices a great wine with a glorious future. Still grippy tannins and endless finish.
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Tasted blind, This wine had a deep red center and orange rims. The medium+ intensity nose showed black cherries, cola, minerals, and brown spices.
In the mouth, this wine was medium bodied with light, rounded tannin, firm acidity, and very good length. It was sweet lucious, long, and gorgeously integrated.
This wine was more feminine in relation to the more masculine Giacosa. They were both great. I would guess this is at its peak but it will easily last 10-20 years at this level. Does it have sneaky upside?
Several layers of dark red and black fruit. Varied soil tones and black cherry. Violet and rose petal notes. Great depth. This bottle required more time. 98+
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Monumental Barolo dinner - Monfortino, Giacosa, Taurasi and La Romanee (Fleet Street Kitchen - Baltimore, MD): Very youthful nose, starts with a hint of VA then strong pine needle/eucalyptus note, black cherries, licorice, petrol, raisin, dark spices and earth. Incredibly youthful palate, cool yet decadent dark fruits, clean and focused palate, bright acidity and lovely long clean finish. The pine resin/eucalyptus note remains very noticeable and the overall impression don’t change significantly. Quite cool and youthful, I would have love to find a bit more balsamico and a bit less pine needle. Nevertheless, this is a great wine with a long life a head and still time to improve based on this bottle.
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Very intense and complex nose. Clearly a 100-pointer. Very, very concentrated. However, massive acidity and tannins on the palate. I don't have enough experience to venture a guess whether they will ever integrate fully. I would not bet the current market value of a bottle, though.
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Very intense, eucalyptus, morrocan mint tea in the nose. Extremely concentrated in the palate, tannin are still not fully integrated, so needs more time still. Chocolate and mint. Great wine!!
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MONFORTINO VERTICALE (ENOTECA ROSSORUBINO TORINO): Stenta ad aprirsi, naso più muto e compresso rispetto all 85, frutto più scuro. I toni sono più freschi, più verdi e vegetali, però tutto è molto fine e fresco, molto sussurrato. Con il tempo esce una grande eleganza e toni vegetali di foglie di pomodoro, mi ha ricordato un vino di Margaux. Anche qui l' acidità spicca in ingresso, ma è ben equilibrata da un frutto maturo e dal tono floreale di rose appassite. Davvero buono. Il migliore del gruppo
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Thursday Night Dinner (RPM Italian - Chicago, IL): Hard to find fault with this wine. Aromas were soft, delicate, and at times powerful. The palate vacillated from elegance to power (most wines don't do that). Just incredible stuff. You'll get it, too.
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Kleur: Helder dieprood. Aroma / bouquet: Expressief. Aardbeien, rozenbottel, tomatenjam, donker fruit. Tertiaire tonen als paddenstoel, herfstbos, leer en teer. Smaak / Afdronk: Zachte kracht. Deze wijn heeft alles wat er nodig is , in een volmaakte balans. Breed en intens, enorm lange afdronk. Algemeen / potentieel: Prachtige Barolo, kracht èn zachtheid. Een rijpe wijn met rijpingspotentieel. 50 + Kleur: 5 + Aroma / bouquet: 13 + Smaak / Afdronk: 20 + Algemeen / potentieel: 10 = 98/100
Color: Bright deep red. Aroma / Bouquet: Expressive. Strawberries, rosehip, tomato jam, dark fruit. Tertiary aromas like mushroom, autumn forest, leather and tar. Taste / Finish: Soft power. This wine has all it takes, in a perfect balance. Broad and intense, very long aftertaste. General / potential: Beautiful Barolo, strength and softness. A mature wine with aging potential. 50 + Colour: 5 + Aroma / Bouquet: 13 + Taste / Finish: 20 + General / potential: 10 = 98/100
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Compared to the other '78's at the table, this is more like a thoroughbred. Sleek and structured with great purity, it is way earlier in its development than any other '78 Barolo. Incredibly balanced and pure with great flavors of dark cherries, rich dark earth and minerals. The tannins are ultra-polished like in a first growth Bordeaux and the finish is endless with great breed and complexity. This beauty will only improve but its gorgeous now and has no faults. 99+
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1978 Piedmont Horizontal (Eleven Madison Park): Turns everything to 11. Incredible depth of fruit. Menthol, tar, earth and lots of ripe dark fruits on the nose. Impeccable balance. Dense but not at all heavy. Beautiful mouthfeel, silky and mouthcoating with as long a finish as I have experienced. All you can expect a wine to be - but I think it will be even better in 10 years, hence the 99. Ageless and Immortal.
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Garnet color, tannins still present but clearly drinking beautifully. Very earthy with notes of tree bark & dark red fruit. Wine continued to evolve throught the evening. Excellent length & balance on this legendary wine.
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Chiuso inizialmente, poi subentra un naso di carne cruda, forte, anguria, ricco, ancora indietro, poi entra in una progressione pazzesca, che arriva fino ad un arancio davvero esplosivo. Il punto davvero di forza è la bocca, assolutamente perfetta, ancora molto presente dovunque, lunghissima, con un tannino fitto e carezzevole.
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Wow!! This is so much alive. Good medium red colour, clean and clear. Very complex bouquet of violets, roses, animal fur, raw meat, smoke/charred wood. I smelled it for 15 minutes before I took the first sip. Medium body, seamless, no hard edges. Incredible balance. Best Italian wine I have ever had!
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Another night with old friends... (New York City): Que the music form 2001 A Space odyssey. A wall of a nose redolent of dark cherries, nettles, sweet licorice, moist earth with airing the fruit turns a bit macerated and the citrus tones pop a bit. In the mouth this starts out monolithic, dense and chewy with great structure, massive yet seamless without any clumsiness at all. This remains very tight and youthful throughout the entire evening slowly revealing notes of gunpowder, tea, and fresh rose on the nose until, of course, the final sip when the parts have aligned to allow one a glimps of what is to come. It is though a flag is unfurled in ones mouth reaching up into the sinuses and down the gullet enveloping all in an etheral blanket of sweet and complex fruit. this still needs 10 years plus to peak. Monumental.
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(at Della Note – Baltimore) Truly one of the better wines I think I have ever tasted. Deep garnet – almost inky it is so rich. The nose is monumental – the essence of minerals, sweet black and red fruits to supplement a beefy boldness. There is also a mild herbaciousness / menthol touch that only adds to the complexity. With a bit of time in the glass a distinct perfume lightness emerges through all the power. This tastes like a 10 year old wine. A perfect combination of power and grace. Sweet, tartness, herbs, minerals – this has it all. This should last and improve for another 20+ years. (98+)
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2/2/2024 - Robmcl920 Likes this wine: 97 Points
Vinous Monfortino Dinner with Roberto Conterno; 2/1/2024-2/2/2024 (Legacy Records, NYC): The '78 is a wine I have dreamed of tasting, and it did not disappoint, although even so I found myself preferring the more recent vintages. This is such a youthful, vibrant wine that will seemingly be immortal with proper storage. On the nose, I found dark red cherry fruit, iron / blood, roast meats, balsamic spices, and a hint of VA. On the palate, the wine is so youthful, full in body with the tannins having largely integrated by now, creating a perfect mouthfeel. Dark red fruit, leather, balsamic, sweet spices, and iron are among the many notes in this complex wine. As with most of the wines, there is a perfect blend of fruit and savory characteristics and the wine is very vibrant with high acidity.
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5/22/2023 - fclarity wrote: 95 Points
Tasted blind, this wine had a deep red center with light red / orange rims. The medium intensity nose put forth cola, black cherry, black spices, and fresh tobacco.
In the mouth, this wine was rich, balanced, and showed notable rounded tannin. It seem a touch tight even though it had received several hours of air.
This wine came across like a heavy duty Burgundy until some of the Nebbiolo flavors started to show themselves. It was beautiful and I would expect it to improve over the next 10 years and last many decades.
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2/5/2022 - Mentat Likes this wine: 98 Points
1978 Piedmont Horizontal:
All bottles opened 12 hours in advance for bottle breath.
Dark and brooding at first even after 12 hours of bottle breath. Then waves of balsamic-laced fruit hits you head-on, very deep but lifted. Laser focus mid-palate opens to impressive finish that goes on and on. This bottle feels so young and has the stuffing to go on for another 20 years with ease.
Noble and fascinating.
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3/24/2021 - The_Cat Likes this wine: 99 Points
Did need 3 hours decanting but then great overwhelming complex nose lots of different fruits first layers of mushroom and truffle dark chocolate and sweet spices a great wine with a glorious future. Still grippy tannins and endless finish.
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10/28/2019 - englishman's claret wrote: 94 Points
Huge nose - super effusive red cherry, cocoa power, and spice, but unfortunately marred by a bit of VA. Good, but not profound.
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5/28/2018 - fclarity wrote: 95 Points
Tasted blind, This wine had a deep red center and orange rims. The medium+ intensity nose showed black cherries, cola, minerals, and brown spices.
In the mouth, this wine was medium bodied with light, rounded tannin, firm acidity, and very good length. It was sweet lucious, long, and gorgeously integrated.
This wine was more feminine in relation to the more masculine Giacosa. They were both great. I would guess this is at its peak but it will easily last 10-20 years at this level. Does it have sneaky upside?
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7/11/2017 - tinybubbles wrote: flawed
Corked.
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5/25/2017 - tinybubbles wrote: flawed
Advanced and oxidizing.
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1/31/2017 - tinybubbles Likes this wine: 98 Points
Several layers of dark red and black fruit. Varied soil tones and black cherry. Violet and rose petal notes. Great depth. This bottle required more time. 98+
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4/21/2016 - tinybubbles Likes this wine: 96 Points
Not yet at the level of the '71, but still with upside; currently one notch lower in terms of complexity, balance, and integration. 96+
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7/16/2015 - dcwino wrote: 96 Points
Monumental Barolo dinner - Monfortino, Giacosa, Taurasi and La Romanee (Fleet Street Kitchen - Baltimore, MD): Very youthful nose, starts with a hint of VA then strong pine needle/eucalyptus note, black cherries, licorice, petrol, raisin, dark spices and earth. Incredibly youthful palate, cool yet decadent dark fruits, clean and focused palate, bright acidity and lovely long clean finish. The pine resin/eucalyptus note remains very noticeable and the overall impression don’t change significantly. Quite cool and youthful, I would have love to find a bit more balsamico and a bit less pine needle. Nevertheless, this is a great wine with a long life a head and still time to improve based on this bottle.
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3/15/2015 - Leoville_2012 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Very intense and complex nose. Clearly a 100-pointer. Very, very concentrated. However, massive acidity and tannins on the palate. I don't have enough experience to venture a guess whether they will ever integrate fully. I would not bet the current market value of a bottle, though.
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3/15/2015 - G_H wrote: 97 Points
Very intense, eucalyptus, morrocan mint tea in the nose. Extremely concentrated in the palate, tannin are still not fully integrated, so needs more time still. Chocolate and mint. Great wine!!
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2/18/2015 - BaroloRob wrote: 98 Points
Ultimate Conterno versus Giacosa battle (Troquet): See event notes.
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10/16/2014 - galenico wrote:
MONFORTINO VERTICALE (ENOTECA ROSSORUBINO TORINO): Stenta ad aprirsi, naso più muto e compresso rispetto all 85, frutto più scuro. I toni sono più freschi, più verdi e vegetali, però tutto è molto fine e fresco, molto sussurrato.
Con il tempo esce una grande eleganza e toni vegetali di foglie di pomodoro, mi ha ricordato un vino di Margaux.
Anche qui l' acidità spicca in ingresso, ma è ben equilibrata da un frutto maturo e dal tono floreale di rose appassite.
Davvero buono. Il migliore del gruppo
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10/10/2013 - tooch wrote: 99 Points
Thursday Night Dinner (RPM Italian - Chicago, IL): Hard to find fault with this wine. Aromas were soft, delicate, and at times powerful. The palate vacillated from elegance to power (most wines don't do that). Just incredible stuff. You'll get it, too.
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1/18/2013 - boston Likes this wine: 98 Points
Integro, eterno, commovente, naso cangiante su note balsamiche, di frutto vivo, humus, radici e fiori secchi, bocca monumentale dalla progressione irrefrenabile
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1/11/2013 - WildeMeeuw Likes this wine: 98 Points
Kleur: Helder dieprood. Aroma / bouquet: Expressief. Aardbeien, rozenbottel, tomatenjam, donker fruit. Tertiaire tonen als paddenstoel, herfstbos, leer en teer. Smaak / Afdronk: Zachte kracht. Deze wijn heeft alles wat er nodig is , in een volmaakte balans. Breed en intens, enorm lange afdronk. Algemeen / potentieel: Prachtige Barolo, kracht èn zachtheid. Een rijpe wijn met rijpingspotentieel. 50 + Kleur: 5 + Aroma / bouquet: 13 + Smaak / Afdronk: 20 + Algemeen / potentieel: 10 = 98/100
Color: Bright deep red. Aroma / Bouquet: Expressive. Strawberries, rosehip, tomato jam, dark fruit. Tertiary aromas like mushroom, autumn forest, leather and tar. Taste / Finish: Soft power. This wine has all it takes, in a perfect balance. Broad and intense, very long aftertaste. General / potential: Beautiful Barolo, strength and softness. A mature wine with aging potential. 50 + Colour: 5 + Aroma / Bouquet: 13 + Taste / Finish: 20 + General / potential: 10 = 98/100
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4/28/2012 - dream Likes this wine: 99 Points
Compared to the other '78's at the table, this is more like a thoroughbred. Sleek and structured with great purity, it is way earlier in its development than any other '78 Barolo. Incredibly balanced and pure with great flavors of dark cherries, rich dark earth and minerals. The tannins are ultra-polished like in a first growth Bordeaux and the finish is endless with great breed and complexity. This beauty will only improve but its gorgeous now and has no faults. 99+
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4/26/2012 - jlemerond wrote: 99 Points
1978 Piedmont Horizontal (Eleven Madison Park): Turns everything to 11. Incredible depth of fruit. Menthol, tar, earth and lots of ripe dark fruits on the nose. Impeccable balance. Dense but not at all heavy. Beautiful mouthfeel, silky and mouthcoating with as long a finish as I have experienced. All you can expect a wine to be - but I think it will be even better in 10 years, hence the 99. Ageless and Immortal.
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4/25/2011 - nebbhead9 wrote: 98 Points
Garnet color, tannins still present but clearly drinking beautifully. Very earthy with notes of tree bark & dark red fruit. Wine continued to evolve throught the evening. Excellent length & balance on this legendary wine.
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3/26/2011 - kenv Likes this wine: 97 Points
Gala Dinner of La Festa del Barolo (Del Posto Restaurant, NYC): Don't think this was decanted long. Very tight. Dark black fruit. Great length. Showing only potential at this point. 96-99 points.
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11/27/2010 - Jossik wrote: 100 Points
Chiuso inizialmente, poi subentra un naso di carne cruda, forte, anguria, ricco, ancora indietro, poi entra in una progressione pazzesca, che arriva fino ad un arancio davvero esplosivo. Il punto davvero di forza è la bocca, assolutamente perfetta, ancora molto presente dovunque, lunghissima, con un tannino fitto e carezzevole.
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5/16/2010 - UTPK wrote:
Wow!! This is so much alive. Good medium red colour, clean and clear. Very complex bouquet of violets, roses, animal fur, raw meat, smoke/charred wood. I smelled it for 15 minutes before I took the first sip. Medium body, seamless, no hard edges. Incredible balance. Best Italian wine I have ever had!
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3/29/2010 - SageCellarage wrote:
need more time
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7/29/2007 - Gregory Dal Piaz wrote: 98 Points
Another night with old friends... (New York City): Que the music form 2001 A Space odyssey. A wall of a nose redolent of dark cherries, nettles, sweet licorice, moist earth with airing the fruit turns a bit macerated and the citrus tones pop a bit. In the mouth this starts out monolithic, dense and chewy with great structure, massive yet seamless without any clumsiness at all. This remains very tight and youthful throughout the entire evening slowly revealing notes of gunpowder, tea, and fresh rose on the nose until, of course, the final sip when the parts have aligned to allow one a glimps of what is to come. It is though a flag is unfurled in ones mouth reaching up into the sinuses and down the gullet enveloping all in an etheral blanket of sweet and complex fruit. this still needs 10 years plus to peak. Monumental.
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3/11/2007 - dbkitc wrote: 98 Points
(at Della Note – Baltimore) Truly one of the better wines I think I have ever tasted. Deep garnet – almost inky it is so rich. The nose is monumental – the essence of minerals, sweet black and red fruits to supplement a beefy boldness. There is also a mild herbaciousness / menthol touch that only adds to the complexity. With a bit of time in the glass a distinct perfume lightness emerges through all the power. This tastes like a 10 year old wine. A perfect combination of power and grace. Sweet, tartness, herbs, minerals – this has it all. This should last and improve for another 20+ years. (98+)
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