Tasted with 4 decades of Barolo: 78, 01 and 10. This was 4th with tough competition. Full nose: dk cherry, earthy mushrooms, spice and tobacco. The palate reveals a balanced wine with cranberry and dried roses emerging amid the above nose qualities. Solid finish with hints of dryness.
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The ‘90 Brunate was an enjoyable wine, but this bottle - seemingly in perfect condition in terms of cork, color - did not match the high acclaim I’ve read. May have been an off bottle but unclear. Tasted alongside the ‘96, the ‘90 seemed clearly of the same era (and very different than the wines made today at Rinaldi), yet did show riper reflecting the warm vintage.
On the nose, I found ripe dark red and black fruit, menthol, spices, balsamic, iron, and minerality. At times, the aromatics were very enticing, but at times they lacked focus and were somewhat reductive. On the palate, I found ripe, highly acidic red fruit along with iron, minerality, tobacco, and a touch of balsamic at times. The tannins were very youthful and need more time to fully resolve, and the wine was concentrated and very bright with sharp acidity sticking out. It was incredibly intense due to the acid and tannin.
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WOW!!! Just WOW! Everything you want in wine to pair with fine dining. A taste sensation that takes you to another place in between bites. Still packs a great punch but with the kindest of manners.
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Another stunning performance from the ‘90 Brunate Riserva, showing masses of black cherry in a cloud of exotic spice, with crushed stone minerality, dark, sweet earth, lifted by dusty florals and hints of dried citrus. On the palate, I found remarkably soft textures, energized by vibrant acids, as raspberry, cherry and cranberry fruits all took their turn, giving way to a mix of minerals and acid with saturating, sweet spices. The finish was long, my notes reading, “so lovely” as the ‘90 slowly faded from the senses with notes of black cherry, hints of dried roses and tobacco. It’s amazing to think that a wine can be this pleasurable, but I guess that’s why we are all in this game.
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A deeper and darker wine than the Santo Stefano. Rich and deep, round and savory with porcini, and darker nebbiolo fruit. Ripe but not heavy, and with enough acidity to keep it fresh, but lacks the lift and grace of the Giacosa. It lacks just a little bit of clarity and freshness to keep it from really terrific.
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Two bottles of this. First: cooked. Second: seemed correct and had a lovely classic nose, but heavy, overripe fruit showed strongly on the palate with about 10 min of air and stuck there. Never showed balance or depth this should have.
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(at Fresco – NYC) Wonderful wine. Rich, penetrating, silky red fruits with mature tar and floral notes. Blossomed with 30 minutes in the decanter. I would drink this soon as the finish was a touch short. Gorgeous purity. (94)
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Giuseppe Rinaldi (Wine Market Bistro - Baltimore): Probably would have liked this wine far more if it wasn't paired with the 1989. Clearly the lesser wine on this night, but also as clearly a very similar wine, just not as flamboyant and powerful. The same red and dark fruit, as well as some floral and perfume notes were on the nose. Well balanced and not a wine to be scoffed at, just not on the same plane with the 1989.
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Red core and turning brickish. Plastic mask aroma, dried hay, full and flush. In a fantastic spot. Tannins are present buy not overpowering. Little alcohol noticed and a great finish.
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Had this as part of a Rinaldi Barolo Brunate Le Coste Vertical ('89, '90, '96, '97 and '00). More lively than the '89, but very similiarly styled. Initially structured on pop and pour, but becoming much more supple with air. Nice earthiness and raspberry on the nose and in the mouth. Was at its best the first 15-20 minutes of being open.
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Opened by Otis. First time I have had a wine from this producer. From the excellent 1990 vintage. Had some cumin aromas. Firm acidity. Earthy texture and made in a tradition style. Light cherry and pomegranite notes. Not as much fruit as I would like to see but showing very well for a 23 year old wine. I think others at the dinner liked this better than I did. 92-93 points.
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Piedmont Dinner (Barbetta): Superb stuff. A moment of concern when first opened, though, as it seemed to smell a little oxidized/maderized. I can't explain how but that scent had totally disappeared by the time we got to drinking it, and then it smelled totally correct with red fruits and a molten tarriness. There was a similar transformation in taste as the first sip I took was extremely structured and disjointed, but then it came together beautifully and picked up a whole lot of richness and fruit sweetness which fleshed the whole thing out, and it continued to get more and more savory as it sat in the glass. The fruit concentration almost makes it feel sticky and while it starts out still very youthful in its primary flavors it gets more and more brothy and savory as it sits. This probably needs a few more years to reach peak drinking but it certainly gave the impression it will get there much sooner than the 1989.
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Dark ruby color. Amazingly youthful. Very juicy, almost chunky. Tons of obvious ripe fruit with a touch of tar and menthol. Very long finish. Will age for decades.
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1990: Barolo Retrospective (Paprika Restaurant, 110 St. Marks Place, NYC): Deep, dark red fruit wafted up from the glass, followed by roses and undergrowth. As I explored further, the dark fruit turned to dusty black cherry as floral notes and a bit of iodine filled out the nose. To breath this in was like lying in a bed of spring flowers after a sun shower with fingers stained in sweet cherry juice. On the palate, the fruit was focused, as sour strawberry led to minerals and green pepper, driven by vibrant, coursing acidity that balanced out the massive structure of this wine. The finish showed like a fresh young wine with earth and red fruits against silky tannin.
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1990 Barolo with Eric & Leo's Barolo Group (Paprika Restaurant, 110 St. Marks Place, NYC): [Opened at noon. DD at 5pm. Drunk about 8pm.] Tighter, more focused and intense nose (than the 1990 Bartolo with which it was paired). Thicker in the mouth. Warm and silky. Very long finish. In the mouth, more pinpoint focused than the Bartolo. Both classic, but somehow quite different. Incredible persistence in this wine. Tonight, I give a slight edge to this wine, but both are great!
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Drank next to a 71 Monfortino and this wine was no slouch. Really needed air. Still a baby. Very concentrated wine. Not your typical tar and roses Barolo. More red fruit and exotic spices. Very impressive.
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Barolo '90-'95: The first thing that struck me was a touch of heat; bruised fruit, a distinct sweetness, menthol, iodine. On the palate there was cola, acid & spice, very little fruit left to support the structure. Pretty austere for me but well-liked by some.
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Surprisingly there was lots of fruit on the nose of this wine. It was pretty decent until it had a chance to air out a bit. After about 25-30 minutes the wine seemed to take on a bit of a bite.
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9/17/2021 - grub94 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Tasted with 4 decades of Barolo: 78, 01 and 10. This was 4th with tough competition. Full nose: dk cherry, earthy mushrooms, spice and tobacco. The palate reveals a balanced wine with cranberry and dried roses emerging amid the above nose qualities. Solid finish with hints of dryness.
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12/27/2020 - Robmcl920 wrote: 93 Points
The ‘90 Brunate was an enjoyable wine, but this bottle - seemingly in perfect condition in terms of cork, color - did not match the high acclaim I’ve read. May have been an off bottle but unclear. Tasted alongside the ‘96, the ‘90 seemed clearly of the same era (and very different than the wines made today at Rinaldi), yet did show riper reflecting the warm vintage.
On the nose, I found ripe dark red and black fruit, menthol, spices, balsamic, iron, and minerality. At times, the aromatics were very enticing, but at times they lacked focus and were somewhat reductive. On the palate, I found ripe, highly acidic red fruit along with iron, minerality, tobacco, and a touch of balsamic at times. The tannins were very youthful and need more time to fully resolve, and the wine was concentrated and very bright with sharp acidity sticking out. It was incredibly intense due to the acid and tannin.
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5/9/2020 - bgdau Likes this wine: 99 Points
WOW!!! Just WOW! Everything you want in wine to pair with fine dining. A taste sensation that takes you to another place in between bites. Still packs a great punch but with the kindest of manners.
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10/19/2019 - Eric Guido Likes this wine: 98 Points
Another stunning performance from the ‘90 Brunate Riserva, showing masses of black cherry in a cloud of exotic spice, with crushed stone minerality, dark, sweet earth, lifted by dusty florals and hints of dried citrus. On the palate, I found remarkably soft textures, energized by vibrant acids, as raspberry, cherry and cranberry fruits all took their turn, giving way to a mix of minerals and acid with saturating, sweet spices. The finish was long, my notes reading, “so lovely” as the ‘90 slowly faded from the senses with notes of black cherry, hints of dried roses and tobacco. It’s amazing to think that a wine can be this pleasurable, but I guess that’s why we are all in this game.
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10/21/2017 - cct wrote: 94 Points
A deeper and darker wine than the Santo Stefano. Rich and deep, round and savory with porcini, and darker nebbiolo fruit. Ripe but not heavy, and with enough acidity to keep it fresh, but lacks the lift and grace of the Giacosa. It lacks just a little bit of clarity and freshness to keep it from really terrific.
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8/3/2016 - LW31 wrote:
Two bottles of this. First: cooked. Second: seemed correct and had a lovely classic nose, but heavy, overripe fruit showed strongly on the palate with about 10 min of air and stuck there. Never showed balance or depth this should have.
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9/17/2015 - dbkitc wrote: 94 Points
(at Fresco – NYC) Wonderful wine. Rich, penetrating, silky red fruits with mature tar and floral notes. Blossomed with 30 minutes in the decanter. I would drink this soon as the finish was a touch short. Gorgeous purity. (94)
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8/29/2014 - chitownmb Likes this wine: 92 Points
Opened about 1 hour before consuming. Licorice notes on nose. Tannins have smoothed and nicely balanced with light fruit
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11/23/2013 - carlwhat wrote: flawed
corked. bummer.
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11/1/2013 - KingSlacker999 wrote: 92 Points
Giuseppe Rinaldi (Wine Market Bistro - Baltimore): Probably would have liked this wine far more if it wasn't paired with the 1989. Clearly the lesser wine on this night, but also as clearly a very similar wine, just not as flamboyant and powerful. The same red and dark fruit, as well as some floral and perfume notes were on the nose. Well balanced and not a wine to be scoffed at, just not on the same plane with the 1989.
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3/9/2013 - Thirsty1 Likes this wine:
Red core and turning brickish. Plastic mask aroma, dried hay, full and flush. In a fantastic spot. Tannins are present buy not overpowering. Little alcohol noticed and a great finish.
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3/9/2013 - bubbachumps wrote:
Had this as part of a Rinaldi Barolo Brunate Le Coste Vertical ('89, '90, '96, '97 and '00). More lively than the '89, but very similiarly styled. Initially structured on pop and pour, but becoming much more supple with air. Nice earthiness and raspberry on the nose and in the mouth. Was at its best the first 15-20 minutes of being open.
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1/26/2013 - otisabdul Likes this wine: 95 Points
Violets, silky cherry, fine velvety finish. Delicious and still fresh.
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1/26/2013 - Vino Me wrote: 93 Points
Opened by Otis. First time I have had a wine from this producer. From the excellent 1990 vintage. Had some cumin aromas. Firm acidity. Earthy texture and made in a tradition style. Light cherry and pomegranite notes. Not as much fruit as I would like to see but showing very well for a 23 year old wine. I think others at the dinner liked this better than I did. 92-93 points.
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6/3/2011 - Keith Levenberg wrote: 95 Points
Piedmont Dinner (Barbetta): Superb stuff. A moment of concern when first opened, though, as it seemed to smell a little oxidized/maderized. I can't explain how but that scent had totally disappeared by the time we got to drinking it, and then it smelled totally correct with red fruits and a molten tarriness. There was a similar transformation in taste as the first sip I took was extremely structured and disjointed, but then it came together beautifully and picked up a whole lot of richness and fruit sweetness which fleshed the whole thing out, and it continued to get more and more savory as it sat in the glass. The fruit concentration almost makes it feel sticky and while it starts out still very youthful in its primary flavors it gets more and more brothy and savory as it sits. This probably needs a few more years to reach peak drinking but it certainly gave the impression it will get there much sooner than the 1989.
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2/17/2011 - jlemerond wrote: 94 Points
Dark ruby color. Amazingly youthful. Very juicy, almost chunky. Tons of obvious ripe fruit with a touch of tar and menthol. Very long finish. Will age for decades.
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2/16/2011 - Eric Guido Likes this wine: 96 Points
1990: Barolo Retrospective (Paprika Restaurant, 110 St. Marks Place, NYC): Deep, dark red fruit wafted up from the glass, followed by roses and undergrowth. As I explored further, the dark fruit turned to dusty black cherry as floral notes and a bit of iodine filled out the nose. To breath this in was like lying in a bed of spring flowers after a sun shower with fingers stained in sweet cherry juice. On the palate, the fruit was focused, as sour strawberry led to minerals and green pepper, driven by vibrant, coursing acidity that balanced out the massive structure of this wine. The finish showed like a fresh young wine with earth and red fruits against silky tannin.
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2/16/2011 - kenv Likes this wine: 97 Points
1990 Barolo with Eric & Leo's Barolo Group (Paprika Restaurant, 110 St. Marks Place, NYC): [Opened at noon. DD at 5pm. Drunk about 8pm.] Tighter, more focused and intense nose (than the 1990 Bartolo with which it was paired). Thicker in the mouth. Warm and silky. Very long finish. In the mouth, more pinpoint focused than the Bartolo. Both classic, but somehow quite different. Incredible persistence in this wine. Tonight, I give a slight edge to this wine, but both are great!
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2/3/2011 - deconstructoboy wrote: 96 Points
Stupendous. I love a wine that seduces with restraint rather than sheer power.
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2/1/2011 - Johann Von Mastiff wrote: 96 Points
Drank next to a 71 Monfortino and this wine was no slouch. Really needed air. Still a baby. Very concentrated wine. Not your typical tar and roses Barolo. More red fruit and exotic spices. Very impressive.
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10/9/2010 - kenv Likes this wine: 95 Points
1990 Barolo: Modern vs. Traditional (private home): Nose of black cherries and orange peel. Seriously tannic. Classic structure. A terrific traditional Barolo. Great length.
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9/22/2010 - andtheodor wrote:
Barolo '90-'95: The first thing that struck me was a touch of heat; bruised fruit, a distinct sweetness, menthol, iodine. On the palate there was cola, acid & spice, very little fruit left to support the structure. Pretty austere for me but well-liked by some.
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8/5/2007 - jrglm wrote: 87 Points
Surprisingly there was lots of fruit on the nose of this wine. It was pretty decent until it had a chance to air out a bit. After about 25-30 minutes the wine seemed to take on a bit of a bite.
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