The one with Tai Wah BCM: Leftovers from the previous night. Unfortunately bottle variation has claimed another victim - came from same case but drastically different from the last I had it - no TNs posted the last time but back then it was hauntingly beautiful with red silky fruit, elegance, power and sensuality. This was just a little dull and boring.
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Some debate on whether this was a perfect bottle, though its from the same source as the very sound / signing 01 white label side-by-side. None the less, this showed rather closed and muted, even with 8+ hours of air. I look forward to TM's bottle next year.
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Nebbiolos, white truffles, Volume VIII (Chicago, IL): #6553. Opened at 9:30am, and left in a decanter starting at 11. Honestly, just not showing very well tonight, despite all the air we gave it. There was a slight brown note here that could have potentially indicated past (and slight) heat damage, because the fruit profile certainly wasn't as clean and precise as other examples of red labels and 2001s ought to have been. Nevertheless, there's a good sense that this wine is also nowhere near mature. As a bit of a note to self: T. M. says that when he brings his bottle to a future edition of this dinner (at a year he judges appropriate), it will be the wine of the night.
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Vinous Piedmont Icons Dinner @ Legacy Records (Legacy Records, NYC): I found the '01 Rocche to be a perfect bridge of the old-school wines of the '90s and the slightly modern, exotic style of the Giacosa '04. This is a full-bodied, rich and powerful wine that begs for another decade or two in the cellar.
The '01 Rocche showed stunning aromatics with black fruit, tar, bitter chocolate, sweet spices, and dark red floral tones. On the palate, this is a beast of a wine, full bodied and highly concentrated, but the tannins are so fine grained and coupled with the sweetness of the fruit, it makes the wine very easy to drink already. But this is likely to take another 10-20 years to peak.
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Piemontese Legends Dinner (Seattle): Lighter color and weight than the ‘96 Asili. Fragrant, floral aromas with ripe red fruit that gush out of the glass. Beautiful lightness and complexity with light herb sprinkled in with the glorious fruit, and great acidity. At first, a shorter finish with more grainy tannins but this harmonized and lengthened with more time in the glass. This slays with its complexity and elegance, and we all might have sworn that this, not the Asili, was the Barbaresco. Probably my wine of the evening as it evoved.
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This bottle was a little cloudy and muted by suspended sediment. I stood it up for a few days but it perhaps got a bit shaken up between home and the restaurant. Meaty, muscular nose that grew in elegance with air. Firm, dark fruits on the palate, firm tannin, drinking youthfully on this showing.
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2 of 12 Opened @ 9:00, decanted @ noon served @ 5:30. This wine is drinking at close to peak. Enjoyed over three hours, couldn’t keep my nose out of the glass, power, elegance and persistence… wow
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blind I was touched from this beauty. Reaching his peak but no hurry. WOTN from the reds. Tar, violet and some spices, no annoying tannins. Fantastic.98-99
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I double decanted this 7 hours before dinner tonight. Out of the bottle, very tight and a bit green, but after a few hours this was singing. Exceptional aromatics, fruit is elegant and powerful. When red label Giacosa delivers, it’s my single favorite Barolo.
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2001 Barolo and Barbaresco (Chez Wolff): [Double-decanted around 1pm.] The muted nose of black fruit and tar opens slowly.After 20 minutes, the nose is vibrant and fabulous. In the mouth, this is rich, complex, and expansive. Just a wow wine. Every wine tonight was wonderful, but this is the best.
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Fresher than the 2000, herbal. With air the aromatics became fantastically complex, particularly when tasted alongside the more earthy Asili. Super elegant, quite tannic on the finish. The lease expressive of this flight of Rocche but still fabulous.
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WOTN (tie) in a tasting of 2001 Barolo & Barbaresco. Everything that makes Giacosa red labels great is in this bottle. Fruitcake for days, elegance, long finish....when you dream about Giacosa, this is is what you're dreaming about. Killer bottle.
NV 2001 Barbaresco and Barolo (Marta, NYC): [Double-decanted around 9am, then put back in a decanter for 2 hours in the late afternoon.] Muted nose of red and black fruit and tar opens slowly in the glass. In the mouth, it is mindblowing. Rich, complex, expansive. Wave after wave of rich complex flavors. One of the greatest wines ever.
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(at Foraged - Baltimore) Multiple personalities. On first pour, deep, complex, classic spice - wow. Then it closed tight - young. Will be a stunning bottle in time. (97++)
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After about an hour of being open this wine could best be described as very good Italian. Super easy to drink , backbone and tannins were very integrated into the wine , the nose was not in your face barolo but rather just a part of a smooth wine. I was expecting more from the bottle, the power that others have described just wasn't there for me, but it was still very nice.
Wedding Anniversary Celebration (Acquerello, San Francisco): Decanted 3 hours before serving. Glorious deep ruby color, quite saturated for its age. Asphalt and dark fruit surge out of the glass. Seamless, harmonious, sappy mouth feel with round tannins that frame everything and linger. Lower black fruit register than the Rabaja drunk alongside it, much more tar and licorice than that wine. It is easy to appreciate the great quality here from first sniff to last drop, but as good as it is now, it has so much power and balance that another 20+ years of positive development seems likelier than not. It was an honor to try this.
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Last had this 5 years ago and gave it the same score. This is from the era when these wines were the highlights of the Piedmont. Everything is in place and delicious. A thousand flavors flirt together and come across as a seamless whole. A lesson in fine wine.
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Quite intense and structured but showing beautiful dark cherry fruit with notes of tree bark and menthol. Layered and very fine with a wonderful mineral crunch on the complex finish. Double-decanted 5 hours before consumption and kept improving in the glass. This has a great future. At Ai Fiori. 94+
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Supple and smooth at this point. Flavors of tar and roses, forest floor, wet wood, licorice on the long finish. Right in the window. All balance and poise. Pop a cork now.
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After 3+ hours decant, gorgeous penetrating nose and deep intense palate of red fruit, earthy pepper. Long well balanced finish and still some tannins tamed by roast duck leg. In a great youthful place and long lovely life ahead.
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Dinner with the wine group (Zazie, SF): 14% alcohol. Light ruby; red cherry, aromatic, sweet spices, slight roses; palate is light bodied, red fruited, elegant, tannins still present but textural, delicious ref fruit, liquored without being overly ripe; finish is long. This surprisingly isn’t a blockbuster, just elegant and deliciously balanced with a nice long finish. 94-95 With air, the tannins become more prominent. Despite a few hours of air, this needs more time or age. Still a treat tonight.
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Another night in Ngaio (Trelissick Crescent, Ngaio, Wellington, New Zealand): Extraordinary Barolo - the exoticism of the nose is profound - dense and dark red fruits, both fresh and dried, rose, tar, tobacco, damp tree bark. In the mouth, stunning fruit quality, with perfect ripeness, a suave (yet still appropriately tannic) texture, perfect balance, and an intensity that never comes across as overbearing. While this is approachable, and is in maturity, there is only an upside for the future of this profound wine. Drunk the day after (18 hours in a decanter) resulted in even deeper palate notes without a hint of oxidation. If I had any, I would hold, hold hold... 97+++
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Opened up and decanted for 6 hours before drinking, which was really beneficial. Initially after opening this was pretty tightly wound but became more expressive with air. Just a really great Barolo here -- not too heavy, nicely balanced, good acidity and fruit. Elegant and powerful. Still very youthful, lots of room for improvement from here - but very tasty tonight with air.
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Drank on 大年初一for 开年酒!Took the red label as 喜庆 symbol in the Chinese New Year, this wine was one of the most impressive wines in 2020 to me, showing much happiness and return. It would do the same to me in the future. We served it in Zalto and Riedle Tulips Burgundy wine glasses, both gave many pleasures of wonderful dry roses aroma. Zalto glass gave more in-depth aroma of smoke and coffee.
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SLDS New Year (Quay, Sydney): Licorice, smoke, graphite, chocolate and dense florals on the nose. The palate has lift and verve, with the red fruit soaking the palate along with superb texture and effortless control. Loved this, fantastic wine.
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I opened 7-8 hours in bottle and poured out with lovely brick red colour, rose aroma, silky palate, medium body but still had closed structure and acidity to age for another decade. This was one of my WOW wines from Italian territory, the other two for me so far were 01' Sassicaia and 06' Masseto. But this wine reminded me 07' Chateau Rayas, the lovely rose aroma captured most hearts of Burgundy lovers.
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Jason’s’ 49th Birthday Dinner - #1 of 12. Decanted in the early afternoon. Deep youthful ruby color, floral and fruit scents were immediately everywhere. By dinner this was singing, richly fruited, lovely texture, perfectly balanced, persistent through an extended finish. Delicious and will get better with another 5, 10, even 20 more years of proper cellaring
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Poise and elegance. So balanced, roses lofting from the glass. Flush with fruit and saturated flavors, right through the long and generous finish. Decant for an hour.
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The nose was initially a bit restrained but later in the evening with more air began to open up nicely, with high toned aromatics of dark red to black cherry, sweet spices, espresso, menthol, and licorice. On the palate, the wine came across as much more clenched down but shows a great combination of power and elegance, with black fruit, licorice, and minerality, and present but incredibly refined tannins.
The ‘01 Rocche remains very youthful and based on this bottle is in need of a while longer in the cellar to reach its full potential. It’s clearly a very good wine and as the palate opens up, it may turn out to be a profound one.
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Flirts with perfection paired with Easter lamb and orange mint gremolata. Ruby with slight bricking at very edge with a healthy dense and fuller color in the middle. Classic Giacosa fruitcake note coming from decanter at first with super high-pitched red fruit and floral aromas. After a few hours in the decanter and once poured into the glass, unbelievably pure and fresh aromas in terms of the super red fruit/floral spectrum. Just gorgeous varietal nebbiolo purity to this--call it rose, strawberry, raspberry, black cherry--the analogies do not do it justice: it's on the higher registers where only grapes can sing. In the mouth, powerful vein of structure in terms of the brisk acidity and gently lingering tannins, however, Giacosa's management of the tannins is nothing short of alchemy. He makes nebbiolo seem exquisitely refined and plush without giving up any of its varietal character while maintaining power and adding no weight. Honest. Focused. Brilliant. Drink up or save for the grandchildren. This was a one-off purchase for me and I have no more bottles. No regrets.
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Took an hour to fully open but then displayed quite bright red fruit, licorice notes and good minerality. Still a baby, this was nonetheless quite good
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Barry’s bottle. So this is where I get to isolate my personal wine preferences from the quality of what is in the glass. I didn’t particularly enjoy drinking this but there is no denying it is an outstanding exemplar of Barolo. Murky maroon despite decanting. Singed red cherry aroma and on the attack. It’s dense and powerful and high in acid. Lots of creosote and tertiary character but young mature rather than senescent. A bold statement that begs for grilled meat instead of the Italian fish we used instead. I’m grateful for the experience.
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Many of the notes are spot on. In a very nice place, drinking well for it's relative youth, but no hurry. Two hours was barely enough air, give it four hours next time.
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This was probably the WOTN for me during a lovely dinner with 10 very classy wines from various regions. This was served alongside Sassicaia 99. It kept changing in the glass. This should have had more air as it was just splash decanted, I would think this needs three hours plus. Still amazing and although no detailed notes it just pipped Margaux 96 and Haut Brion 98 served alongside by a whisker.
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drun with a lot of other barolo and this was deep dark and brooding a bit.. i could taste how serious it was nad it should great balance but out of mag it was just too young
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Bricking. Elegance in a glass. Poise and balance, creamy cherry seemingly supported by smoke. All in balance, with tannins melded and exceptional length.
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Leftovers from Alt Festa. Around 3 ounces left over form the preceding night
Intoxicating nose, with a deeper tone than the Rabaja. Dark nebbiolo fruit, more savory than the Rabaja, with some herbal- olive, balsam, and saline notes. Rich and very deep, expansive on the palate, turning up the intensity of the Rabaja with more overt power. Deep and rich, with amazing clarity and focus. Wonderful sap, density, and power all in great balance. A wine of great harmony, drinking more youthful than the Rabaja. Great but better in a decade. 98
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A Study of Falletto di Serralunga (La Pizza Fresca): The 2001 Le Rocche riserva was a model of grace and balance with the classic Giacosa sweet florality that we all seem to crave. The nose was dark and generous, verging on rich, yet lifted by sweet spice, floral tones and tart, savory cherry. Earth, undergrowth and hints of animal musk developed in the bouquet as the evening wore on, adding further depth. On the palate, I found silky, refined textures with classically lean red fruits, inner floral tones, sweet minerality and fine tannin. It was impressive on its balance alone and still so youthful, as the long finish displayed dried floral tones, smoky minerality and tart red fruits over a coating of sweet tannin.
This is one of the best Italian wines I've ever tasted. After several hours in the decanter, its deep and profound bouquet unfolds, revealing notes of red-black cherry, roses, espresso roast and subtle hints of grilled meat. On the palate, the wine is utterly seamless and multidimensional, with a bottomless core of sappy fruit and an ample, even expansive, chassis of fine-grained tannins; while its structural elements are incredibly refined for a wine of the scale, it remains quite tight knit. This is brighter and more precise than the 2004, but without the slight asperity of the 1996, which makes this plausibly the best Giacosa Rocche dell Falletto since 1989.
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Now we're talking. Sb_Guido se sert en premier et me fait sentir son verre….watatow! Quel nez! C'est une explosion de fruits rouges/roses telle la framboise et la fraise avec du bonbon anglais, exubérant, absolument délectable. Rien qui cloche en bouche l'équilibre est parfait ce fut une autre des belles surprises de la soirée. 98 pts
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Served alongside DRC GE and Richebourg '09 (young, I know!!) and the nose of the barolo was way more expressive. Beautiful nose of raspberry-strawberry candy and also very flora! Mouth was fruity with a touche of cedar but was still quite tannic from my POV. Some said it was at its peak but I think a few more years will definitely help!! 96(+ probably!)
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Softer and more elegance than the 04 today. Good red cherries and red fruit with some wood spices and cedar notes. Plenty of tannins. Slightly drying but not bothersome. I liked this but clearly too young. 93 today with upside.
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Decanted 2 hours. I thought this would be too young to drink and while it is very young, it's a sleek beauty and it drank quite well with beef short-ribs at Mas Farmhouse. Full-bodied but very fine and full of menthol and minerals with great intensity and a beautifully smooth texture. There are substantial tannins on the finish but they are perfectly rendered and the finish is grippy and endless. A great version of this wine in the making. 95+
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A 2 hour decant. Classic in all ways - intensity, floral nose, strawberry notes, tar, soy, bright and deep. Medium depth and nicely clean, the tannins have subsided nicely.
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Tuesday Night Double Blind $50+ (Alpharetta, GA): Pale dull crimson, onion skin rim, age; fennel, dried cherry, herbs, menthol, hints at cedar, balsamic note, smells fairly soft and resolved, burnt orange, savory, a subtle punch to the gut, subtle power and intensity, noble Nebbiolo, rounded Burgundian tannin, very balanced; loved it, a special wine; called '96 Giacosa Red Label Asili.
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A bottle with 2003 Cork..... I purchased the wine from Auction and not sure if this is a fake wine or not. Asking the winery and waiting for their reply...
Medium red; wonderful expressive nose, hint of light caramel, loads of fruit, licorice (?), very charming; silky and mild attack, red flowers, roses, bit dry at the end, bot otherwise very good, elegant and feminine
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Clear, pale garnet. Gentle bricking. Legs. A clean, aromatic nose of leather, tar, tea, red cherries, roses and earth, with some fainter notes of dark berries, violets and spice box. On the palate: Medium(+) acidity, medium(+) body, medium(+) flavour intensity with creamy red fruits, fresh roses, earth, tar and spice notes. The mouthfeel was slightly rustic, but this was beautifully contrasted by the pure, ripe red fruits dancing on the tongue. High grippy tannins and a long, slightly spicy finish. This has got to be what a top barolo tastes like. At 15 years old, the secondary and tertiary flavours are emerging, yet the nose was very much still developing. The abundance of ripe fruit and the strong tannins bode well for drinking this wine in 10 years time. 94 pts today, 96 pts next time round?
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Drank over 3 hours. Appearance was clear, pale to medium intensity, garnet in colour. Pronounced, and complex aromas of tea leaves, earth, tobacco, red cherries, leather, sweet spices, (and some plummy notes?) Palate was dry, medium+ acidity, high (and grippy) tannin, full bodied. Layers of flavours that just reveals itself over the course of session. Red cherries, sweet spices, vanilla, earth and a familiar austerity in this wine. Long finish.
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Tim + Ching Birthday 2016 (Extra Space): Appearance is clear, medium intensity, garnet colour. Legs. Nose is clean, medium intensity, with aromas of perfumed floral violets and roses, tarry earth, slight savoury soy sauce. Developing. On the palate, dry, high acidity, medium+ alcohol, very grippy and gum-drying high tannins, full body. Medium+ flavour intensity, with flavours of fresh tar, earth, sweet spices, extremely concentrated red cherries with massive depth and layers. Long finish. Outstanding quality. This is such a coiled up ball of potential. The massive tannins and tightly concentrated red cherry fruit spell another 10 years for this to perform at its best. Traditional Barolo at its apogee (but the best is yet to be). I am aiming to re-explore this again in 10 years' time.
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Wish I had loaded up on this when I had the chance. Textbook Giacosa with gorgeous fruit, secondary flavors emerging, fabulous nose and a dash of spice. This one gives you something to think about. At a large tasting of Italian wines of various kinds from many vintages, the 01s, both Piedmont and Tuscan, were really showing well. Don't hesitate to start drinking those that you have.
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Eleventh Annual White Truffle Dinner (Chez Weber - Chicago IL): Open and decanted 4+ hours before serving. A top highlight of the night, this is a powerhouse. Lots of black and red cherry, baking spice, black pepper and background floral notes. Very long and still rather firm, this requires patience.
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A really wow wine. It has everything going on. Great classic aromas of tar and roses, but also with wonderful lift from red fruits. Perfectly balanced and full of life. A showy wine with concentrated sweet cherry and strawberry intermingle with black spices, graphite, and finely grained tannins. Quite complex with multiple layers of nuanced character that simply do not quit. Sophisticated and elegant with lots of life ahead. A truly great bottle of wine, this is special stuff. Look at all the notes on CT, this is the real deal. Drink or hold.
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Per fortuna oltre alla proverbiale passata/conserva di pomodoro (prevaricante all'inizio) c'è altro. C'è la fragolina, la radice, la carruba come in alcuni Sangiovesi maturi, c'è un bel ritorno della dolcezza del frutto in bocca, c'è un tannino levigato, c'è una bella mineralità e una persistenza mica da ridere.
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Garnet. Perfumed, lush, gorgeous nose of fig paste and rose petal jam. Dark fruits and exotic spice in the mouth. The aromatics saturate the room. A stunning Barolo from Falletto. The nose is epic now, but I'd give this a few more years. Drink starting 2018. (Bottle 0660.)
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Tasting dinner at Christies (London) with Bruna Giacosa. Limited notes. A Pointe. Forward wine with ripe juicy cherry fruit, great concentration and enough bitter edge to provide balance. On its plateau with perhaps another 5 years at this level.
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Gala Dinner at Antonio Galloni's La Festa del Barolo (Four Seasons Restaurant, NYC): [Double decanted around 11am. Broke the decanter, but managed to save about 700ml of wine which I filtered back into the bottle.] An OMFG wine. Just brilliant. Heavenly aromas. Fabulously expansive in the mouth. I can't give a detailed description this late in the evening, but this is one glorious wine which will surely be great for decades to come.
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Red brillant rubin color , nose of sweet candid , flowers , red fruits , on the palate balanced , gentle with a savory taste that remain in the mouth for long
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Barolo 1999 vs. 2001 Blind (New York Vintners, NYC): Oh my my. Sweet black fruit. Incredible depth and richness. This must be the 01 Riserva. Still very young, but so complex and vibrant. WOTN for me. I could drink this forever. A hint of chocolate. Could this have seen a bit of not-too-old oak?
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Dueling Blind Barolo Vintages (New York Vintners): The nose showed a ripe mix of crushed berries, dry spice, menthol, leather and hints of herbs in a dark, warm and inviting bouquet. On the palate, it started youthfully lean with tart cherry, gaining mass and riper character as it wrapped around the senses. A woody balsamic note lingered long with sweet exotic spice and violet floral tones. The finish was the epitome of dried flowers and fruit with dry spice lingering long.
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I tried another bottle from the case and thankfully, this was not corked. I loved this wine. The purity of fruit and fresh roses were just outstanding. This has a long way to go but will be worth the wait.
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Unfortunately this bottle was corked but I didn't care. The fruit was so fresh and pure that I was able to think past that wet cardboard taint. Roses, some plums, raspberries etc on the nose and palate. Quite structured and tannic but the fruit will prevail.
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Nebbiolo: Rose macerate in acqua di mare, sensualissimo, racconta di un sorriso, un sorriso alla vita. Le olive verdi, peperoncino, splendido frutto (denominatore comune e vera ossessione in tutti i vini di giacosa), arancia, terra rossa, menta piperita, mollica di pane. Bocca rilassata rispetto al monfortino, scivola, accarezzando la bocca e lascia il palato come graziato dal suo passaggio. Effetto pietra filosofale: quello che tocca diventa oro. wow.
Chicago Wine Flock...Giacosa Dinner Courtesy of Tim (Telegraph - chicago IL): First time I've had this wine. Glad I bought that 6-pack at release! Wow, this was beautiful tonight after lots of decanter time, but clearly showing amazing potential. Sensational aromas of red berries and cherries with amazing rose, fresh herbs, cloves, anise complements. starts with big fruit, then a bit austere in the middle, but an explosive, powerful finish.
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Double decanted. Great wine. Pure and focused. One of the best bouquets I have ever experienced in a wine. Kaleidoscopic nose with all kinds of flowers, dark berries and spices, incredibly complex. On the palate this is just perfect. Very creamy and complex fruit, layer upon layer. Perfectly balanced and pure. One of the best wines I have ever had. Tasted alongside the Rabaja Ris 2001, this was the clear winner.
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Pure, perfumed, powerful Barolo that is not forced and without any makeup (although it does smell of lipstick). It has the most ethereal and cerebral nose offering up all sorts of flora, fruit, liquorice, spice and earthy notes. The pastel fruits really sweeten up in the glass but always maintain crisp, sharp focus with a savoury truffle/tar/earthy edge. Tannins gently dab away all of the saliva from one’s mouth without any malice or hard astringency and the wine’s balance, proportion and length are phenomenal. It leaves the most sensual of mouth aromas once swallowed and it hands down the best Barolo I have had this year.
Rare Wine Co's Giacosa Riserva Dinner (Del Posto Restaurant, NYC): 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.
Interesting nose of red fruit, tar, figs, plum and iron. Beautiful pure red and black fruit with cinnamon on the palate. Glossy texture. Rich and creamy with a long finish emphasizing dusty tannin. Really nice.
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Acker BYO 2012 (Tribeca Grill, Tribeca, NY): Way way too young - tried this a couple of times tonight. Like trying to drink a red brick wall. Give it 20 years, then try again.
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1st time trying barolo.its definitely a veri gd xperience.after 5 hrs of decanting,tis bttl stil alive n kicking tks to its well structure plus high acidity.a veri elegance bttl veri similiar to pinot noir if im nt wrong.lots of red fruits intially.after few hrs of decanting,start to show some black cherries.the onli setback is tis bttl nd at least another 10-15 yrs of time to show its potential.in the meantime base on tasting nw,tis is a veri over price bttl due to veri lack of depth especially with its price tag $500 sing dollars
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Inaugural Great Steak-Off (Clarksville, Maryland): Very tight, still way too young. This displays deeper and darker fruit expression with noticeable licorice, caramel and balsamic note. Excellent concentration and extremely sweet fruits. This day, the Asili was preferred slightly as it was more open.
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Blind 2001 Barolo Tasting - Nice nose, fresh, sweet red fruits, I thought this wine was very nice, but the group as a whole did not like it as they thought it was less sophisticated
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Powerful elegant and lasted all throughout dinner. The wine has great earth powerful well balanced fruit and deep complexity. Really enjoyable so young.
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Granato unghia aranciata con qualche residuo nel mio bicchiere, naso sempre "sussurrato" mai esplosivo, dolcezze di fruttino in primis poi si scurisce , radicoso, carruba , note di caramelle dolci alla frutta, leggero cartonato sul finale con qualche spezie piccante, bocca fresca, bella materia anche se minore rispetto al 2004, tannino sottile, finale lungo e minerale con ritorno un pò "aromatico" .
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A great barolo from a great year and had at the Ciau Del Tornavento, prob the best restaurant in Piedmont. Dense, pure, powerfull yet very nicely balanced. Nice fruit and earth some vanilla. Superb mouthfeel with big body yet full of finesse and complexity and with a long long finish. We can go on and on here but really supeb.
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(Verticale Red Label Giacosa. Falletto 85, 90, 96.Collina Rionda 1990.Le Rocche del Falletto 00, 01 - Roma 27/11/2008) Grande espressione del territorio di Langa. Ampio nei profumi di scorza di arancia, anguria, fragoline di bosco, lampone, fiori rossi appassiti, spezie (noce moscata, chiodi di garofano, pepe) foglie secche, tabacco. Complesso e profondo all'indagine gustativa presenta tannini finissimi e setosi, notevole sapidità e importante spalla acida perfettamente integrata con la dolcezza del frutto. Vino armonico e capace di suscitare grandi emozioni, che potrà evolvere felicemente per moltissimi anni ancora. Voto: 95/96(0 views)
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Uncorked DK does Piemonte Greatest (Peter Gade): Red. Extremely intense and fruity nose of strawberries and some toffee. In the mouth this appears round as the immense amount of fruit completely hides the structure. The fruit has a spicy edge to it on the backend, but other than that it is difficult to coax anything but very fresh and immensely intense red fruit out of it. In that sense this is very primary and a bit onedimensional. A bit like the 2005 Vogue Musigny VV that I reported on resently, only even more extreme. It probably has a very great life ahead of it, but I find it difficult to judge and will rate it (92-95++?) Some of the tasters felt on safer ground and rated it a good deal higher.
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this is the real deal; absolutely delicious. yeah, it had some massive tannin going on, but it's just so complex and fruit heavy, i didn't really mind. a future legend.
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Backstreet wine bar Italian tasting- WOW! Hudge Everything, impecably balance pure power and finese.Waves of sweet fruit, spices, menthol, scorched earth. This is absolutely stunning.
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these were opened and sat during the tasting (2-3 hours, but no decant). WOW!!! this is it! this wine has it all. wonderful nose of cherries, raspberries, flowers and licorice. wonderfully powerful mouth but soft and supple at the same time. round caressing tanning, complexity and a finish that goes forever. I think I LIKE THIS WINE. WOTN
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Phoenix eRP Offline - Italian (Backstreet Wine Salon, Phoenix): Cherry, blackberry, exotic spices and earth. Unbelievable complexity and depth. Huge concentration and structure. Impressive, silky finish that lasts for minutes. My WOTF and WOTN. What a pleasure to drink!
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Winery Visit and Tasting - Bruno Giacosa (Neive, Piedmont, Italy): Tasted at the winery from magnum; The nose was shy to start but became expansive after a few minutes in the glass. The aromas included cherries and spices and minerals. Similar flavors but the rose element was present in the middle and on the finish. Structurally this wine was immense, elegant and complex all at the same time. Silky in texture with a very long finish. The tannins were fine but present on the finish. This score was in the moment for a very young wine. How much better can it become? Potentially the best Barolo I've tried to date.
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3/15/2024 - RobinTeo wrote: 90 Points
The one with Tai Wah BCM: Leftovers from the previous night. Unfortunately bottle variation has claimed another victim - came from same case but drastically different from the last I had it - no TNs posted the last time but back then it was hauntingly beautiful with red silky fruit, elegance, power and sensuality. This was just a little dull and boring.
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12/29/2023 - soyhead wrote:
#1314
nose - figs,chocolate,mint
mouth - stewed fruit, tar, balsamic, rich but not necessarily fresh. others liked it considerably more than I.
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11/18/2023 - Nanda wrote:
Some debate on whether this was a perfect bottle, though its from the same source as the very sound / signing 01 white label side-by-side. None the less, this showed rather closed and muted, even with 8+ hours of air. I look forward to TM's bottle next year.
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11/18/2023 - acyso wrote:
Nebbiolos, white truffles, Volume VIII (Chicago, IL): #6553. Opened at 9:30am, and left in a decanter starting at 11. Honestly, just not showing very well tonight, despite all the air we gave it. There was a slight brown note here that could have potentially indicated past (and slight) heat damage, because the fruit profile certainly wasn't as clean and precise as other examples of red labels and 2001s ought to have been. Nevertheless, there's a good sense that this wine is also nowhere near mature. As a bit of a note to self: T. M. says that when he brings his bottle to a future edition of this dinner (at a year he judges appropriate), it will be the wine of the night.
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10/17/2023 - Robmcl920 Likes this wine: 96 Points
Vinous Piedmont Icons Dinner @ Legacy Records (Legacy Records, NYC): I found the '01 Rocche to be a perfect bridge of the old-school wines of the '90s and the slightly modern, exotic style of the Giacosa '04. This is a full-bodied, rich and powerful wine that begs for another decade or two in the cellar.
The '01 Rocche showed stunning aromatics with black fruit, tar, bitter chocolate, sweet spices, and dark red floral tones. On the palate, this is a beast of a wine, full bodied and highly concentrated, but the tannins are so fine grained and coupled with the sweetness of the fruit, it makes the wine very easy to drink already. But this is likely to take another 10-20 years to peak.
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9/30/2023 - MauriceE wrote:
Opened around 11h in the morning to check. Drank late in the evening. Absolutely mesmerising nose, stunning, breathtaking. Made us hug each other.
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7/22/2023 - kr522 wrote: 95 Points
Red fruited, licorice, earth deliciousness. Still mostly primary….hard to put the glass down
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3/1/2023 - Beachfan Likes this wine: 94 Points
Gorgeous in many wsys, but missing a bit of the strong core that I associate with Barolo.
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2/24/2023 - drwine2001 wrote:
Piemontese Legends Dinner (Seattle): Lighter color and weight than the ‘96 Asili. Fragrant, floral aromas with ripe red fruit that gush out of the glass. Beautiful lightness and complexity with light herb sprinkled in with the glorious fruit, and great acidity. At first, a shorter finish with more grainy tannins but this harmonized and lengthened with more time in the glass. This slays with its complexity and elegance, and we all might have sworn that this, not the Asili, was the Barbaresco. Probably my wine of the evening as it evoved.
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12/5/2022 - jamesabdavis wrote:
This bottle was a little cloudy and muted by suspended sediment. I stood it up for a few days but it perhaps got a bit shaken up between home and the restaurant.
Meaty, muscular nose that grew in elegance with air. Firm, dark fruits on the palate, firm tannin, drinking youthfully on this showing.
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11/15/2022 - paul195 wrote: 97 Points
2 of 12 Opened @ 9:00, decanted @ noon served @ 5:30. This wine is drinking at close to peak. Enjoyed over three hours, couldn’t keep my nose out of the glass, power, elegance and persistence… wow
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10/30/2022 - aquacongas Likes this wine: 98 Points
blind
I was touched from this beauty. Reaching his peak but no hurry. WOTN from the reds. Tar, violet and some spices, no annoying tannins. Fantastic.98-99
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10/27/2022 - joshabramson Likes this wine: 96 Points
I double decanted this 7 hours before dinner tonight. Out of the bottle, very tight and a bit green, but after a few hours this was singing. Exceptional aromatics, fruit is elegant and powerful. When red label Giacosa delivers, it’s my single favorite Barolo.
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10/14/2022 - kenv Likes this wine: 100 Points
2001 Barolo and Barbaresco (Chez Wolff): [Double-decanted around 1pm.] The muted nose of black fruit and tar opens slowly.After 20 minutes, the nose is vibrant and fabulous. In the mouth, this is rich, complex, and expansive. Just a wow wine. Every wine tonight was wonderful, but this is the best.
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10/13/2022 - jamesabdavis wrote:
Fresher than the 2000, herbal. With air the aromatics became fantastically complex, particularly when tasted alongside the more earthy Asili.
Super elegant, quite tannic on the finish. The lease expressive of this flight of Rocche but still fabulous.
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5/1/2022 - RayOB Likes this wine: 95 Points
Drank in London
A real beauty and open
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4/11/2022 - Michael T. Zoppo Likes this wine:
WOTN (tie) in a tasting of 2001 Barolo & Barbaresco. Everything that makes Giacosa red labels great is in this bottle. Fruitcake for days, elegance, long finish....when you dream about Giacosa, this is is what you're dreaming about. Killer bottle.
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4/7/2022 - kenv Likes this wine: 100 Points
NV 2001 Barbaresco and Barolo (Marta, NYC): [Double-decanted around 9am, then put back in a decanter for 2 hours in the late afternoon.] Muted nose of red and black fruit and tar opens slowly in the glass. In the mouth, it is mindblowing. Rich, complex, expansive. Wave after wave of rich complex flavors. One of the greatest wines ever.
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3/28/2022 - dbkitc wrote: 97 Points
(at Foraged - Baltimore) Multiple personalities. On first pour, deep, complex, classic spice - wow. Then it closed tight - young. Will be a stunning bottle in time. (97++)
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2/6/2022 - BLam Likes this wine: 96 Points
Another bottle for 开年 (虎年).
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1/27/2022 - jsebiri wrote:
After about an hour of being open this wine could best be described as very good Italian. Super easy to drink , backbone and tannins were very integrated into the wine , the nose was not in your face barolo but rather just a part of a smooth wine. I was expecting more from the bottle, the power that others have described just wasn't there for me, but it was still very nice.
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12/4/2021 - Burgundy Al wrote: flawed
Sixteenth Annual White Truffle Dinner (Inovasi - Lake Bluff IL): Sadly corked. In mid-aged Giacosa red label flight.
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11/20/2021 - drwine2001 wrote:
Wedding Anniversary Celebration (Acquerello, San Francisco): Decanted 3 hours before serving. Glorious deep ruby color, quite saturated for its age. Asphalt and dark fruit surge out of the glass. Seamless, harmonious, sappy mouth feel with round tannins that frame everything and linger. Lower black fruit register than the Rabaja drunk alongside it, much more tar and licorice than that wine. It is easy to appreciate the great quality here from first sniff to last drop, but as good as it is now, it has so much power and balance that another 20+ years of positive development seems likelier than not. It was an honor to try this.
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11/19/2021 - Topper wrote: 97 Points
Last had this 5 years ago and gave it the same score. This is from the era when these wines were the highlights of the Piedmont. Everything is in place and delicious. A thousand flavors flirt together and come across as a seamless whole. A lesson in fine wine.
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11/2/2021 - dream Likes this wine: 94 Points
Quite intense and structured but showing beautiful dark cherry fruit with notes of tree bark and menthol. Layered and very fine with a wonderful mineral crunch on the complex finish. Double-decanted 5 hours before consumption and kept improving in the glass. This has a great future. At Ai Fiori. 94+
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10/2/2021 - Lipsman Likes this wine: 96 Points
Supple and smooth at this point. Flavors of tar and roses, forest floor, wet wood, licorice on the long finish. Right in the window. All balance and poise. Pop a cork now.
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9/14/2021 - Richard P Howden Likes this wine: 94 Points
After 3+ hours decant, gorgeous penetrating nose and deep intense palate of red fruit, earthy pepper. Long well balanced finish and still some tannins tamed by roast duck leg. In a great youthful place and long lovely life ahead.
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9/14/2021 - aagrawal wrote: 94 Points
Dinner with the wine group (Zazie, SF): 14% alcohol. Light ruby; red cherry, aromatic, sweet spices, slight roses; palate is light bodied, red fruited, elegant, tannins still present but textural, delicious ref fruit, liquored without being overly ripe; finish is long. This surprisingly isn’t a blockbuster, just elegant and deliciously balanced with a nice long finish. 94-95
With air, the tannins become more prominent. Despite a few hours of air, this needs more time or age. Still a treat tonight.
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6/7/2021 - Marc wrote: 97 Points
Another night in Ngaio (Trelissick Crescent, Ngaio, Wellington, New Zealand): Extraordinary Barolo - the exoticism of the nose is profound - dense and dark red fruits, both fresh and dried, rose, tar, tobacco, damp tree bark. In the mouth, stunning fruit quality, with perfect ripeness, a suave (yet still appropriately tannic) texture, perfect balance, and an intensity that never comes across as overbearing. While this is approachable, and is in maturity, there is only an upside for the future of this profound wine. Drunk the day after (18 hours in a decanter) resulted in even deeper palate notes without a hint of oxidation. If I had any, I would hold, hold hold... 97+++
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5/1/2021 - joshabramson Likes this wine: 96 Points
Opened up and decanted for 6 hours before drinking, which was really beneficial. Initially after opening this was pretty tightly wound but became more expressive with air. Just a really great Barolo here -- not too heavy, nicely balanced, good acidity and fruit. Elegant and powerful. Still very youthful, lots of room for improvement from here - but very tasty tonight with air.
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2/12/2021 - BLam Likes this wine: 96 Points
Drank on 大年初一for 开年酒!Took the red label as 喜庆 symbol in the Chinese New Year, this wine was one of the most impressive wines in 2020 to me, showing much happiness and return. It would do the same to me in the future. We served it in Zalto and Riedle Tulips Burgundy wine glasses, both gave many pleasures of wonderful dry roses aroma. Zalto glass gave more in-depth aroma of smoke and coffee.
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1/8/2021 - CamWheeler wrote: 96 Points
SLDS New Year (Quay, Sydney): Licorice, smoke, graphite, chocolate and dense florals on the nose. The palate has lift and verve, with the red fruit soaking the palate along with superb texture and effortless control. Loved this, fantastic wine.
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1/8/2021 - BLam Likes this wine: 96 Points
I opened 7-8 hours in bottle and poured out with lovely brick red colour, rose aroma, silky palate, medium body but still had closed structure and acidity to age for another decade. This was one of my WOW wines from Italian territory, the other two for me so far were 01' Sassicaia and 06' Masseto. But this wine reminded me 07' Chateau Rayas, the lovely rose aroma captured most hearts of Burgundy lovers.
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12/13/2020 - paul195 wrote: 96 Points
Jason’s’ 49th Birthday Dinner - #1 of 12. Decanted in the early afternoon. Deep youthful ruby color, floral and fruit scents were immediately everywhere. By dinner this was singing, richly fruited, lovely texture, perfectly balanced, persistent through an extended finish. Delicious and will get better with another 5, 10, even 20 more years of proper cellaring
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12/2/2020 - Lipsman wrote: 96 Points
Poise and elegance. So balanced, roses lofting from the glass. Flush with fruit and saturated flavors, right through the long and generous finish. Decant for an hour.
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5/9/2020 - Robmcl920 Likes this wine: 96 Points
The nose was initially a bit restrained but later in the evening with more air began to open up nicely, with high toned aromatics of dark red to black cherry, sweet spices, espresso, menthol, and licorice. On the palate, the wine came across as much more clenched down but shows a great combination of power and elegance, with black fruit, licorice, and minerality, and present but incredibly refined tannins.
The ‘01 Rocche remains very youthful and based on this bottle is in need of a while longer in the cellar to reach its full potential. It’s clearly a very good wine and as the palate opens up, it may turn out to be a profound one.
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4/12/2020 - bjresto Likes this wine: 98 Points
Flirts with perfection paired with Easter lamb and orange mint gremolata. Ruby with slight bricking at very edge with a healthy dense and fuller color in the middle. Classic Giacosa fruitcake note coming from decanter at first with super high-pitched red fruit and floral aromas. After a few hours in the decanter and once poured into the glass, unbelievably pure and fresh aromas in terms of the super red fruit/floral spectrum. Just gorgeous varietal nebbiolo purity to this--call it rose, strawberry, raspberry, black cherry--the analogies do not do it justice: it's on the higher registers where only grapes can sing. In the mouth, powerful vein of structure in terms of the brisk acidity and gently lingering tannins, however, Giacosa's management of the tannins is nothing short of alchemy. He makes nebbiolo seem exquisitely refined and plush without giving up any of its varietal character while maintaining power and adding no weight. Honest. Focused. Brilliant. Drink up or save for the grandchildren. This was a one-off purchase for me and I have no more bottles. No regrets.
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2/7/2020 - cubswinws Likes this wine: 96 Points
Still quite young and intense. Nevertheless a thrill to drink but this wine is a 50 year wine!
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12/1/2019 - tinybubbles Likes this wine: 94 Points
Took an hour to fully open but then displayed quite bright red fruit, licorice notes and good minerality. Still a baby, this was nonetheless quite good
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8/13/2019 - sdr Likes this wine: 95 Points
Barry’s bottle. So this is where I get to isolate my personal wine preferences from the quality of what is in the glass. I didn’t particularly enjoy drinking this but there is no denying it is an outstanding exemplar of Barolo. Murky maroon despite decanting. Singed red cherry aroma and on the attack. It’s dense and powerful and high in acid. Lots of creosote and tertiary character but young mature rather than senescent. A bold statement that begs for grilled meat instead of the Italian fish we used instead. I’m grateful for the experience.
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8/13/2019 - Beachfan Likes this wine: 96 Points
With Stu and Kathy
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7/15/2019 - BradE wrote:
Many of the notes are spot on. In a very nice place, drinking well for it's relative youth, but no hurry. Two hours was barely enough air, give it four hours next time.
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5/25/2019 - collin wrote:
Wow. Needs time. Seems like it would put all other nebbiolo I've had to shame... But a decade wouldn't hurt.
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2/24/2019 - BenBlu Likes this wine: 97 Points
This was probably the WOTN for me during a lovely dinner with 10 very classy wines from various regions. This was served alongside Sassicaia 99. It kept changing in the glass. This should have had more air as it was just splash decanted, I would think this needs three hours plus. Still amazing and although no detailed notes it just pipped Margaux 96 and Haut Brion 98 served alongside by a whisker.
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2/3/2019 - reichken wrote: 97 Points
drun with a lot of other barolo and this was deep dark and brooding a bit.. i could taste how serious it was nad it should great balance but out of mag it was just too young
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2/3/2019 - Lipsman wrote: 96 Points
Bricking. Elegance in a glass. Poise and balance, creamy cherry seemingly supported by smoke. All in balance, with tannins melded and exceptional length.
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11/7/2018 - dcwino wrote: flawed
2018 Villa d’Este Wine Symposium – Kelly, RJ, Justin and Kevin's excellent adventure; 11/7/2018-11/11/2018 (Villa D’este, Lake Como): Some controversy but clearly corked.
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2/3/2018 - cct wrote: 98 Points
Leftovers from Alt Festa. Around 3 ounces left over form the preceding night
Intoxicating nose, with a deeper tone than the Rabaja. Dark nebbiolo fruit, more savory than the Rabaja, with some herbal- olive, balsam, and saline notes. Rich and very deep, expansive on the palate, turning up the intensity of the Rabaja with more overt power. Deep and rich, with amazing clarity and focus. Wonderful sap, density, and power all in great balance. A wine of great harmony, drinking more youthful than the Rabaja. Great but better in a decade. 98
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2/3/2018 - reichken wrote: 95 Points
deep dark color, sweet red fruit on the nose, smooth in the mouth with bursting thick red fruit, great texture and length. very young
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1/25/2018 - xzwine wrote:
Expressive, complex and powerful on the nose. Tamed tannins, balanced, and big structure. Lingering finish.
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1/10/2018 - Eric Guido Likes this wine: 98 Points
A Study of Falletto di Serralunga (La Pizza Fresca): The 2001 Le Rocche riserva was a model of grace and balance with the classic Giacosa sweet florality that we all seem to crave. The nose was dark and generous, verging on rich, yet lifted by sweet spice, floral tones and tart, savory cherry. Earth, undergrowth and hints of animal musk developed in the bouquet as the evening wore on, adding further depth. On the palate, I found silky, refined textures with classically lean red fruits, inner floral tones, sweet minerality and fine tannin. It was impressive on its balance alone and still so youthful, as the long finish displayed dried floral tones, smoky minerality and tart red fruits over a coating of sweet tannin.
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12/10/2017 - William Kelley Likes this wine: 98 Points
This is one of the best Italian wines I've ever tasted. After several hours in the decanter, its deep and profound bouquet unfolds, revealing notes of red-black cherry, roses, espresso roast and subtle hints of grilled meat. On the palate, the wine is utterly seamless and multidimensional, with a bottomless core of sappy fruit and an ample, even expansive, chassis of fine-grained tannins; while its structural elements are incredibly refined for a wine of the scale, it remains quite tight knit. This is brighter and more precise than the 2004, but without the slight asperity of the 1996, which makes this plausibly the best Giacosa Rocche dell Falletto since 1989.
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11/4/2017 - jee27 wrote: 98 Points
Now we're talking. Sb_Guido se sert en premier et me fait sentir son verre….watatow! Quel nez! C'est une explosion de fruits rouges/roses telle la framboise et la fraise avec du bonbon anglais, exubérant, absolument délectable. Rien qui cloche en bouche l'équilibre est parfait ce fut une autre des belles surprises de la soirée. 98 pts
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11/3/2017 - sb_guido Likes this wine: 96 Points
Opened bottles 2 hrs before serving.
Served alongside DRC GE and Richebourg '09 (young, I know!!) and the nose of the barolo was way more expressive. Beautiful nose of raspberry-strawberry candy and also very flora! Mouth was fruity with a touche of cedar but was still quite tannic from my POV. Some said it was at its peak but I think a few more years will definitely help!!
96(+ probably!)
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10/25/2017 - Kemo Sabe Likes this wine: 93 Points
Softer and more elegance than the 04 today. Good red cherries and red fruit with some wood spices and cedar notes. Plenty of tannins. Slightly drying but not bothersome. I liked this but clearly too young. 93 today with upside.
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10/13/2017 - dream Likes this wine: 95 Points
Decanted 2 hours. I thought this would be too young to drink and while it is very young, it's a sleek beauty and it drank quite well with beef short-ribs at Mas Farmhouse. Full-bodied but very fine and full of menthol and minerals with great intensity and a beautifully smooth texture. There are substantial tannins on the finish but they are perfectly rendered and the finish is grippy and endless. A great version of this wine in the making. 95+
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8/10/2017 - lepetitchateau wrote: 95 Points
A 2 hour decant. Classic in all ways - intensity, floral nose, strawberry notes, tar, soy, bright and deep. Medium depth and nicely clean, the tannins have subsided nicely.
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5/30/2017 - Rezy13 Likes this wine:
Tuesday Night Double Blind $50+ (Alpharetta, GA): Pale dull crimson, onion skin rim, age; fennel, dried cherry, herbs, menthol, hints at cedar, balsamic note, smells fairly soft and resolved, burnt orange, savory, a subtle punch to the gut, subtle power and intensity, noble Nebbiolo, rounded Burgundian tannin, very balanced; loved it, a special wine; called '96 Giacosa Red Label Asili.
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3/6/2017 - Raycheng77 wrote:
A bottle with 2003 Cork..... I purchased the wine from Auction and not sure if this is a fake wine or not. Asking the winery and waiting for their reply...
Finger cross
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12/24/2016 - Miceri Likes this wine: 98 Points
Medium red; wonderful expressive nose, hint of light caramel, loads of fruit, licorice (?), very charming; silky and mild attack, red flowers, roses, bit dry at the end, bot otherwise very good, elegant and feminine
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10/4/2016 - ozyloy Likes this wine: 95 Points
Clear, pale garnet. Gentle bricking. Legs.
A clean, aromatic nose of leather, tar, tea, red cherries, roses and earth, with some fainter notes of dark berries, violets and spice box.
On the palate: Medium(+) acidity, medium(+) body, medium(+) flavour intensity with creamy red fruits, fresh roses, earth, tar and spice notes. The mouthfeel was slightly rustic, but this was beautifully contrasted by the pure, ripe red fruits dancing on the tongue. High grippy tannins and a long, slightly spicy finish.
This has got to be what a top barolo tastes like. At 15 years old, the secondary and tertiary flavours are emerging, yet the nose was very much still developing. The abundance of ripe fruit and the strong tannins bode well for drinking this wine in 10 years time. 94 pts today, 96 pts next time round?
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10/4/2016 - kelvchua wrote: 97 Points
Drank over 3 hours. Appearance was clear, pale to medium intensity, garnet in colour.
Pronounced, and complex aromas of tea leaves, earth, tobacco, red cherries, leather, sweet spices, (and some plummy notes?)
Palate was dry, medium+ acidity, high (and grippy) tannin, full bodied. Layers of flavours that just reveals itself over the course of session. Red cherries, sweet spices, vanilla, earth and a familiar austerity in this wine. Long finish.
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10/4/2016 - Derek Darth Taster wrote: 96 Points
Tim + Ching Birthday 2016 (Extra Space): Appearance is clear, medium intensity, garnet colour. Legs.
Nose is clean, medium intensity, with aromas of perfumed floral violets and roses, tarry earth, slight savoury soy sauce. Developing.
On the palate, dry, high acidity, medium+ alcohol, very grippy and gum-drying high tannins, full body. Medium+ flavour intensity, with flavours of fresh tar, earth, sweet spices, extremely concentrated red cherries with massive depth and layers. Long finish.
Outstanding quality. This is such a coiled up ball of potential. The massive tannins and tightly concentrated red cherry fruit spell another 10 years for this to perform at its best. Traditional Barolo at its apogee (but the best is yet to be). I am aiming to re-explore this again in 10 years' time.
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7/27/2016 - Topper wrote: 97 Points
Wish I had loaded up on this when I had the chance. Textbook Giacosa with gorgeous fruit, secondary flavors emerging, fabulous nose and a dash of spice. This one gives you something to think about. At a large tasting of Italian wines of various kinds from many vintages, the 01s, both Piedmont and Tuscan, were really showing well. Don't hesitate to start drinking those that you have.
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12/5/2015 - Burgundy Al wrote: 96 Points
Eleventh Annual White Truffle Dinner (Chez Weber - Chicago IL): Open and decanted 4+ hours before serving. A top highlight of the night, this is a powerhouse. Lots of black and red cherry, baking spice, black pepper and background floral notes. Very long and still rather firm, this requires patience.
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11/24/2015 - King Julien wrote: 97 Points
Decanted 4.5 hours.
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10/24/2015 - KenK Likes this wine: 99 Points
A really wow wine. It has everything going on. Great classic aromas of tar and roses, but also with wonderful lift from red fruits. Perfectly balanced and full of life. A showy wine with concentrated sweet cherry and strawberry intermingle with black spices, graphite, and finely grained tannins. Quite complex with multiple layers of nuanced character that simply do not quit. Sophisticated and elegant with lots of life ahead. A truly great bottle of wine, this is special stuff. Look at all the notes on CT, this is the real deal. Drink or hold.
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10/20/2015 - johnh1001 wrote: 97 Points
Another stunning bottle. This is so good now but still so young.
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10/13/2015 - boston Likes this wine: 94 Points
Per fortuna oltre alla proverbiale passata/conserva di pomodoro (prevaricante all'inizio) c'è altro. C'è la fragolina, la radice, la carruba come in alcuni Sangiovesi maturi, c'è un bel ritorno della dolcezza del frutto in bocca, c'è un tannino levigato, c'è una bella mineralità e una persistenza mica da ridere.
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9/19/2015 - rlove wrote: 97 Points
Garnet. Perfumed, lush, gorgeous nose of fig paste and rose petal jam. Dark fruits and exotic spice in the mouth. The aromatics saturate the room. A stunning Barolo from Falletto. The nose is epic now, but I'd give this a few more years. Drink starting 2018. (Bottle 0660.)
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4/12/2015 - FYC wrote:
Saturday with Some Charmers: Salon, Roulot, PYCM, Giacosa Riservas: Superb perfume! High toned, floral, spice, dark fruit. Slightly more tannic but surprisingly approachable and delicious. Wonderful and looks to have a long wonderful life ahead of it.
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2/26/2015 - NickBurwood Likes this wine: 93 Points
Tasting dinner at Christies (London) with Bruna Giacosa. Limited notes.
A Pointe. Forward wine with ripe juicy cherry fruit, great concentration and enough bitter edge to provide balance. On its plateau with perhaps another 5 years at this level.
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2/18/2015 - BaroloRob wrote: 95 Points
Ultimate Conterno versus Giacosa battle (Troquet): Tied for wine of the flight. See event notes.
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2/14/2015 - johnh1001 wrote: 96 Points
Wonderful perfume and depth. Another great bottle.
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2/13/2015 - Finn73 wrote: 95 Points
Festa del barolo
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2/6/2015 - kenv Likes this wine: 100 Points
Gala Dinner at Antonio Galloni's La Festa del Barolo (Four Seasons Restaurant, NYC): [Double decanted around 11am. Broke the decanter, but managed to save about 700ml of wine which I filtered back into the bottle.] An OMFG wine. Just brilliant. Heavenly aromas. Fabulously expansive in the mouth. I can't give a detailed description this late in the evening, but this is one glorious wine which will surely be great for decades to come.
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11/23/2014 - Gian wrote: 92 Points
Red brillant rubin color , nose of sweet candid , flowers , red fruits , on the palate balanced , gentle with a savory taste that remain in the mouth for long
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9/12/2014 - kenv Likes this wine: 100 Points
Barolo 1999 vs. 2001 Blind (New York Vintners, NYC): Oh my my. Sweet black fruit. Incredible depth and richness. This must be the 01 Riserva. Still very young, but so complex and vibrant. WOTN for me. I could drink this forever. A hint of chocolate. Could this have seen a bit of not-too-old oak?
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9/12/2014 - Eric Guido Likes this wine: 98 Points
Dueling Blind Barolo Vintages (New York Vintners): The nose showed a ripe mix of crushed berries, dry spice, menthol, leather and hints of herbs in a dark, warm and inviting bouquet. On the palate, it started youthfully lean with tart cherry, gaining mass and riper character as it wrapped around the senses. A woody balsamic note lingered long with sweet exotic spice and violet floral tones. The finish was the epitome of dried flowers and fruit with dry spice lingering long.
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9/1/2014 - johnh1001 wrote: 98 Points
I tried another bottle from the case and thankfully, this was not corked. I loved this wine. The purity of fruit and fresh roses were just outstanding. This has a long way to go but will be worth the wait.
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8/8/2014 - johnh1001 wrote:
Unfortunately this bottle was corked but I didn't care. The fruit was so fresh and pure that I was able to think past that wet cardboard taint. Roses, some plums, raspberries etc on the nose and palate. Quite structured and tannic but the fruit will prevail.
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5/29/2014 - paolonardi Likes this wine: 97 Points
Nebbiolo: Rose macerate in acqua di mare, sensualissimo, racconta di un sorriso, un sorriso alla vita. Le olive verdi, peperoncino, splendido frutto (denominatore comune e vera ossessione in tutti i vini di giacosa), arancia, terra rossa, menta piperita, mollica di pane. Bocca rilassata rispetto al monfortino, scivola, accarezzando la bocca e lascia il palato come graziato dal suo passaggio. Effetto pietra filosofale: quello che tocca diventa oro. wow.
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4/24/2014 - Burgundy Al wrote: 96 Points
Chicago Wine Flock...Giacosa Dinner Courtesy of Tim (Telegraph - chicago IL): First time I've had this wine. Glad I bought that 6-pack at release! Wow, this was beautiful tonight after lots of decanter time, but clearly showing amazing potential. Sensational aromas of red berries and cherries with amazing rose, fresh herbs, cloves, anise complements. starts with big fruit, then a bit austere in the middle, but an explosive, powerful finish.
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3/30/2014 - bza Likes this wine:
Double decanted. Great wine. Pure and focused. One of the best bouquets I have ever experienced in a wine. Kaleidoscopic nose with all kinds of flowers, dark berries and spices, incredibly complex. On the palate this is just perfect. Very creamy and complex fruit, layer upon layer. Perfectly balanced and pure. One of the best wines I have ever had. Tasted alongside the Rabaja Ris 2001, this was the clear winner.
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12/28/2013 - Jeremy Holmes wrote:
Pure, perfumed, powerful Barolo that is not forced and without any makeup (although it does smell of lipstick). It has the most ethereal and cerebral nose offering up all sorts of flora, fruit, liquorice, spice and earthy notes. The pastel fruits really sweeten up in the glass but always maintain crisp, sharp focus with a savoury truffle/tar/earthy edge. Tannins gently dab away all of the saliva from one’s mouth without any malice or hard astringency and the wine’s balance, proportion and length are phenomenal. It leaves the most sensual of mouth aromas once swallowed and it hands down the best Barolo I have had this year.
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10/27/2013 - kenv Likes this wine: 100 Points
Rare Wine Co's Giacosa Riserva Dinner (Del Posto Restaurant, NYC): 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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6/27/2013 - johnh1001 wrote: 94 Points
Interesting nose of red fruit, tar, figs, plum and iron. Beautiful pure red and black fruit with cinnamon on the palate. Glossy texture. Rich and creamy with a long finish emphasizing dusty tannin. Really nice.
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6/20/2013 - Greg Pierce wrote:
Drank wonderfully, but way too young.
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6/3/2013 - kstoddard wrote: flawed
G6 (Jock): Sadly an off bottle
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12/3/2012 - Seth Rosenberg wrote:
Acker BYO 2012 (Tribeca Grill, Tribeca, NY): Way way too young - tried this a couple of times tonight. Like trying to drink a red brick wall. Give it 20 years, then try again.
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7/30/2012 - clairenclarence wrote: 92 Points
1st time trying barolo.its definitely a veri gd xperience.after 5 hrs of decanting,tis bttl stil alive n kicking tks to its well structure plus high acidity.a veri elegance bttl veri similiar to pinot noir if im nt wrong.lots of red fruits intially.after few hrs of decanting,start to show some black cherries.the onli setback is tis bttl nd at least another 10-15 yrs of time to show its potential.in the meantime base on tasting nw,tis is a veri over price bttl due to veri lack of depth especially with its price tag $500 sing dollars
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6/17/2012 - Miceri wrote: flawed
Corked
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5/11/2012 - dcwino wrote: 96 Points
Inaugural Great Steak-Off (Clarksville, Maryland): Very tight, still way too young. This displays deeper and darker fruit expression with noticeable licorice, caramel and balsamic note. Excellent concentration and extremely sweet fruits. This day, the Asili was preferred slightly as it was more open.
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11/7/2011 - Federsin Likes this wine:
Blind 2001 Barolo Tasting - Nice nose, fresh, sweet red fruits, I thought this wine was very nice, but the group as a whole did not like it as they thought it was less sophisticated
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2/28/2011 - jhngo wrote: 97 Points
Powerful elegant and lasted all throughout dinner. The wine has great earth powerful well balanced fruit and deep complexity. Really enjoyable so young.
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12/13/2010 - vespa110 wrote: 89 Points
Granato unghia aranciata con qualche residuo nel mio bicchiere, naso sempre "sussurrato" mai esplosivo, dolcezze di fruttino in primis poi si scurisce , radicoso, carruba , note di caramelle dolci alla frutta, leggero cartonato sul finale con qualche spezie piccante, bocca fresca, bella materia anche se minore rispetto al 2004, tannino sottile, finale lungo e minerale con ritorno un pò "aromatico" .
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10/16/2010 - Papies wrote: 95 Points
A great barolo from a great year and had at the Ciau Del Tornavento, prob the best restaurant in Piedmont. Dense, pure, powerfull yet very nicely balanced. Nice fruit and earth some vanilla. Superb mouthfeel with big body yet full of finesse and complexity and with a long long finish. We can go on and on here but really supeb.
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11/27/2008 - Gelug wrote: 96 Points
(Verticale Red Label Giacosa. Falletto 85, 90, 96.Collina Rionda 1990.Le Rocche del Falletto 00, 01 - Roma 27/11/2008)
Grande espressione del territorio di Langa.
Ampio nei profumi di scorza di arancia, anguria, fragoline di bosco, lampone, fiori rossi appassiti, spezie (noce moscata, chiodi di garofano, pepe) foglie secche, tabacco.
Complesso e profondo all'indagine gustativa presenta tannini finissimi e setosi, notevole sapidità e importante spalla acida perfettamente integrata con la dolcezza del frutto.
Vino armonico e capace di suscitare grandi emozioni, che potrà evolvere felicemente per moltissimi anni ancora.
Voto: 95/96(0 views)
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11/23/2008 - Jossik wrote: 91 Points
Piaciuto meno delle altre volte, piùscuro, compresso, un po' vinone, pesante ed alcolico
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4/19/2008 - goldstein wrote: 92 Points
ditto tanzer, but a little dry and parched.
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4/4/2008 - gorm wrote: 92 Points
Uncorked DK does Piemonte Greatest (Peter Gade): Red. Extremely intense and fruity nose of strawberries and some toffee. In the mouth this appears round as the immense amount of fruit completely hides the structure. The fruit has a spicy edge to it on the backend, but other than that it is difficult to coax anything but very fresh and immensely intense red fruit out of it. In that sense this is very primary and a bit onedimensional. A bit like the 2005 Vogue Musigny VV that I reported on resently, only even more extreme. It probably has a very great life ahead of it, but I find it difficult to judge and will rate it (92-95++?) Some of the tasters felt on safer ground and rated it a good deal higher.
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3/5/2008 - goofy Yno wrote: 95 Points
smoky vanilla, cherry nose. good complexity with power. still tight, but with round tannins.
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3/5/2008 - jeff nowak wrote: 95 Points
this is the real deal; absolutely delicious. yeah, it had some massive tannin going on, but it's just so complex and fruit heavy, i didn't really mind. a future legend.
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3/5/2008 - kstoddard wrote: 94 Points
eRobert Parker Offline - Giacosa and other Italian Wine (Backstreet Wine Salon, Phoenix): Charred oak, black cherry, raspberry and earth. Firm tannins. Great purity of fruit. Huge concentration and structure. Built to last. Chewy. No giving up much at this point. Needs time.
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11/6/2007 - Wien wrote:
Wow. A great, great wine. Much too young off course. Will probably start to show in 15-20 years
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10/25/2007 - winefool wrote: 95 Points
WS NYWE Grand Tastings; 10/25/2007-10/26/2007 (Marriott Marquis): Gorgeous ruby red color. Wonderful nose of violets and red fruit. Full mouthful of red cherry, tannin, and acidity with beautiful complexity. A great wine.
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7/11/2007 - jivey wrote: 98 Points
Backstreet wine bar Italian tasting- WOW! Hudge Everything, impecably balance pure power and finese.Waves of sweet fruit, spices, menthol, scorched earth. This is absolutely stunning.
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7/11/2007 - goofy Yno wrote: 97 Points
these were opened and sat during the tasting (2-3 hours, but no decant). WOW!!! this is it! this wine has it all. wonderful nose of cherries, raspberries, flowers and licorice. wonderfully powerful mouth but soft and supple at the same time. round caressing tanning, complexity and a finish that goes forever. I think I LIKE THIS WINE. WOTN
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7/11/2007 - kstoddard wrote: 96 Points
Phoenix eRP Offline - Italian (Backstreet Wine Salon, Phoenix): Cherry, blackberry, exotic spices and earth. Unbelievable complexity and depth. Huge concentration and structure. Impressive, silky finish that lasts for minutes. My WOTF and WOTN. What a pleasure to drink!
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5/9/2007 - Winetex wrote: 95 Points
Winery Visit and Tasting - Bruno Giacosa (Neive, Piedmont, Italy): Tasted at the winery from magnum; The nose was shy to start but became expansive after a few minutes in the glass. The aromas included cherries and spices and minerals. Similar flavors but the rose element was present in the middle and on the finish. Structurally this wine was immense, elegant and complex all at the same time. Silky in texture with a very long finish. The tannins were fine but present on the finish. This score was in the moment for a very young wine. How much better can it become? Potentially the best Barolo I've tried to date.
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