I just had a glass of the ‘01 Pora, and while this is similar, the Rio Sordo has a more prominent sweet & sour cherry taste that I find pretty appealing. Really coats the palate, with just a bit of unresolved tannin on the finish. On opening, I have a slight preference for this wine.
With the pasta, my wife also preferred this wine - more complexity and nuance than the Poro.
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This may well be past it’s prime, but is my only bottle and still enjoyable significant acidity but not at all off putting, nose has a bit of funk but is pkeasant. Dark cherry fruit flavors with a long finish. Really good if not great. Drink up
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This was nice but perhaps a bit past peak. Very stinky nose (in a good way), ripe fruit though not jammy, amazing acidity. Tannins are resolved. Blind tasters almost unanimously thought it was a Burgundy.
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Last bottle of Rio Sordo 2021 for me. Happy it was the last one. Cork was perfectly sealing the wine. Color is now trending towards old nuances. Earthy notes in the nose, very well balanced tannins. My view: probably already passed its top.
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Wine Night (DC's House): acidity and tannins are prevalent here and just subtly get in the way. Behind is a bit of an austere darker cherry and mineral-laden profile. Enjoyable, but having experience of produttori, was hoping for more.
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(mostly) 2001 Produttori Riserva Horizontal (Osteria Langhe, Chicago IL): Nose: The nose is refined and friendly with red cherries, raspberries, cranberries, violets, red flowers, earth notes, licorice, savory herbs, and tobacco. Everything is in well in place and balanced, but this just lacks a bit of something compared to the other wines.
Taste: The feel is Medium bodied with tart, high acidity and slightly coarse, high tannins. The structure is just a slight bit rough and austere and it doesn't feel like it'll fully resolve. The feel is well balanced with red cherries, raspberries, cranberries, tobacco, violets, red flowers, licorice, and tobacco.
Overall: This is one that I would really prefer on its own. It is a lovely wine, but it lacked compared to its compatriots. There is a lot to like, still, and it can easily age for years to come.
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At Corso in Berkeley for Father's Day with Estie and Danny. Opened by waitstaff. Ruby in color with a fragrant nose of flowers (violets?). Initially on the palate, there was a lot of funkiness. The waiter offered to decant the bottle which we readily accepted. After 15 minutes, the funkiness blew off and this blossomed into an excellent Barbaresco. Full bodied, bold with with some dark fruit flavors, cherries, licorice and some eucalyptus. A little tannin left, but has resided for the most part. At 18 years, it's in a good spot now (with decanting), but likely to go for a few more years.
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Christmas Lunch. In a beautiful place right now. Tannins very fine, but they still bite a little. Harmonious, velvety, fruit still present but well evolved. Lovely.
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Dekantert 1 t. Rubinrød med murstein i kanten. Lukter sopp, sort te, rosevann og jern. Tørr munnfølelse med antydning til tørket frukt. Bra syre, men litt hul. Nedslipte tanniner. Avslutter tørt. Medium lengde. Bedre for 4 år siden. Drikk opp.
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Lit uffen lukt rett etter åpning. God og fortsatt frukt og god syre , metallisk og blod, rognebær, nype-te. Litt rufsete, dårlig flaske? Bedre dagen derpå: mindre te og gammel sofa
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Translucent ruby in the glass, with red fruits, menthol and a little tarry background note.
Sweet/ripe red fruits on the palate, adequate acidity and decent persistence. Pretty good. Just a little unresolved tannin, so I would say this wine is just entering maturity.
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Popped and poured. A light translucent ruby in the glass, with ripe cherry fruit and menthol on the nose.
Still has a tannic bite to it, but not overwhelming, so as long as you can deal with a little "resistance", this is doable at this point. Good acidity and persistence - a good vintage for Rio Sordo.
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47th Viceroy's B'Day; 9/28/2017-10/1/2017 (Restaurant La Piperna - Madrid): Despite tons of sediments I like this bottle. Bought in Burlingame (CA) and returned to Europe in 2008. Lovely character of violets, rotten roses and earth on the nose. Savoury yet a bit short on the palate. Nothing memorable but a honest Barbaresco. Until the last drop.
Me gusta esta botella. Comprada en Burlingame (CA) y devuelta a Europa en 2008. Carácter delicioso a violetas, rosas putrefactas y tierra en nariz. Sabroso pero un poco corto en el paladar. Nada memorable salvo un Barbaresco honesto. Hasta la última gota.
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1999 and 2001 Produttori Riservas (The Hughes): The nose is bigger, and more powerful than the 99. A little pine resin? Richer and fruitier than the 99 but for me, a little less interesting and complex. Perhaps this will evolve and develop further.
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Color is a darker translucent ruby; nice nose, with a balsamico note layered on top of red & black fruits.
Somewhat structured, and it still presents a tannic note on the palate as well. I would probably mark this down a bit for the somewhat abbreviated finish, but I think the components here remain in balance, and it's possible that the wine will see further development/improvement over the next decade. No crime to drink now, but if you only have a couple, I would continue to hold.
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Friskere og bedre enn forrige flaske, fortsatt tydelig kalkpreg. Fin rose frukt og tobakk som kommer og går. 1 dag i åpen flaske, rester med litt bunnslam: Tre-fast og tilkneppet, best i går.
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Skjebneaften etter en hard dag med graving på nedsida av huset. Forsmak og dekantering: God frukt og litt modningspreg, våt betong, går over i søte jordbær (Bently) med luft, knall-syre og litt alkoholvarme, får selskap av tjære etter en time. 2 dager i åpen flaske: Ingen tegn til oksidasjon, fast og nesten litt anstrengende.
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Mature aromatic Nebiollo nose. Well balaned palate with fully integrated oak and decent fruit. Less fruit than the Produttori Asili Riserva tasted along side. The table was split regarding which was the more enjoyable wine. Medium bodied wine that enhanced the northern Italian food experience.
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A Taste of Piedmonte in Switzerland (Bern): Tasted blind. Light spice, dried potpourri, some oak and red fruit. Powerful fruit on the body, yet it remains light and elegant. Great balance, and very fine tannins to round it out.
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4 days later: some oxidation on the nose, but this dissipates - anyway this is now on darker notes, not floral anymore, almost towards chocolate and locust beans. Very compact. Intense and dark notes on the palate too. Strong tannins, but not excessive, fine grained. It has substance, it's powerful and intense. I liked it more than the Asili on day one, but after three days, the Asili was clearly better.
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Tasted blind with other Produttori 2001 and two pirates (Taurasi 01 + Etna 07). Opened at 12 and slow-oxed until the evening. The wine of the evening, almost unanimously. Very fine nose of an aged nebbiolo, with nice balance and a tobacco note. Splendid palate: balanced, full, broad, well structured, with strong and round tannins. Drinking really beautifully right now. ****
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After 4 days in opened and tasted bottle with cork and air this opened for fantastic concentrated deep dark fruit, still lots of nice tough tannins. Very balanced and super elegant. Very young still, I expect a long good life of more than 20 years.
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Red towards brick. Pale. Fantastic nose. Cherries and wild straberries. Liquorice and florality (wax). Complex. Very thight on the palate. Lot of fine grained tannin, concentrated cherries. Still young and very fresh. Nice dry end. Is it too tight, or still too young?
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Although classically styled & tightly structured, everything feels in place and there are hints of the potential showing, but would expect this to need a decade before it really opens up. [in the excellent Osteria Chiocciola in Cuneo]
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Produttori del Barbaresco with Aldo Vacca (Crow's Nest): Huge step up from the regular Barbaresco bottlings. Much more stuffing and complexity going on. Still youthful, but showing nice dried cranberries, lavender, and warm spices on nose. The palate is explosive with intensity. Spices, earthiness, dried fruits, and leather. I love that there's a lot going on, and even with the firm tannins and acidity, there's an underlying elegance just waiting to emerge. This has a long life ahead.
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Vias and Aldo Vacca come to town: Nose was slightly muted. Big, huge tannins. Hugely structured. This needs time to really show itself, but it's got everything it needs to shine. Give it 5. 91-92
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Year end blindtasting: Clear brick red color. Delicate cherry framed by some oak on the nose. Sweet cherry fruit on the palate, and a note of orange. A fragile elegant mouthfeel first, but ending in harsh tannins that sucks your mouth dry. This needs serious time to soften up.
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Gorgeous dark ruby red. Initially the wine is tight an tannic but after lots of air it opens up to reveal a medium intensity nose of cinnamon, cherry, and other fruits. The palate is still tannic but hiding under all that tannin is some nice fruit. Medium weight body and striking acidity. The finish is long, complex, and strong. This is a beautiful wine. It needs a few years to be at its best but it's damn good now. 50 + 5 + 12 + 17 + 8
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5/28/2023 - Bob H wrote:
I just had a glass of the ‘01 Pora, and while this is similar, the Rio Sordo has a more prominent sweet & sour cherry taste that I find pretty appealing. Really coats the palate, with just a bit of unresolved tannin on the finish. On opening, I have a slight preference for this wine.
With the pasta, my wife also preferred this wine - more complexity and nuance than the Poro.
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6/13/2022 - Luvwine1 Likes this wine: 90 Points
This may well be past it’s prime, but is my only bottle and still enjoyable significant acidity but not at all off putting, nose has a bit of funk but is pkeasant. Dark cherry fruit flavors with a long finish. Really good if not great. Drink up
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2/24/2022 - Rani Likes this wine: 90 Points
This was nice but perhaps a bit past peak. Very stinky nose (in a good way), ripe fruit though not jammy, amazing acidity. Tannins are resolved. Blind tasters almost unanimously thought it was a Burgundy.
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12/20/2021 - bacca Likes this wine: 90 Points
Last bottle of Rio Sordo 2021 for me. Happy it was the last one. Cork was perfectly sealing the wine. Color is now trending towards old nuances. Earthy notes in the nose, very well balanced tannins. My view: probably already passed its top.
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8/10/2021 - Neecies Likes this wine:
Tim's. Surprisingly tight. Believe this was decanted in advance, too.
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11/18/2019 - lolo66 wrote: 90 Points
Wine Night (DC's House): acidity and tannins are prevalent here and just subtly get in the way. Behind is a bit of an austere darker cherry and mineral-laden profile. Enjoyable, but having experience of produttori, was hoping for more.
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10/22/2019 - KeithAkers wrote: 90 Points
(mostly) 2001 Produttori Riserva Horizontal (Osteria Langhe, Chicago IL): Nose: The nose is refined and friendly with red cherries, raspberries, cranberries, violets, red flowers, earth notes, licorice, savory herbs, and tobacco. Everything is in well in place and balanced, but this just lacks a bit of something compared to the other wines.
Taste: The feel is Medium bodied with tart, high acidity and slightly coarse, high tannins. The structure is just a slight bit rough and austere and it doesn't feel like it'll fully resolve. The feel is well balanced with red cherries, raspberries, cranberries, tobacco, violets, red flowers, licorice, and tobacco.
Overall: This is one that I would really prefer on its own. It is a lovely wine, but it lacked compared to its compatriots. There is a lot to like, still, and it can easily age for years to come.
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7/1/2019 - jkoenen wrote: 89 Points
seems already too far evolved?
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6/16/2019 - mhudes Likes this wine: 92 Points
At Corso in Berkeley for Father's Day with Estie and Danny. Opened by waitstaff. Ruby in color with a fragrant nose of flowers (violets?). Initially on the palate, there was a lot of funkiness. The waiter offered to decant the bottle which we readily accepted. After 15 minutes, the funkiness blew off and this blossomed into an excellent Barbaresco. Full bodied, bold with with some dark fruit flavors, cherries, licorice and some eucalyptus. A little tannin left, but has resided for the most part. At 18 years, it's in a good spot now (with decanting), but likely to go for a few more years.
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12/25/2018 - gilrbo Likes this wine:
Christmas Lunch. In a beautiful place right now. Tannins very fine, but they still bite a little. Harmonious, velvety, fruit still present but well evolved. Lovely.
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12/3/2018 - cbforever1 wrote: 94 Points
Very fresh and still looks younger than its age
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11/16/2018 - jkoenen wrote: flawed
Corked.
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9/30/2018 - kfinsrud wrote: 89 Points
Dekantert 1 t. Rubinrød med murstein i kanten. Lukter sopp, sort te, rosevann og jern. Tørr munnfølelse med antydning til tørket frukt. Bra syre, men litt hul. Nedslipte tanniner. Avslutter tørt. Medium lengde. Bedre for 4 år siden. Drikk opp.
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9/1/2018 - FjordogFjell wrote: 88 Points
Lit uffen lukt rett etter åpning.
God og fortsatt frukt og god syre , metallisk og blod, rognebær, nype-te. Litt rufsete, dårlig flaske?
Bedre dagen derpå: mindre te og gammel sofa
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6/24/2018 - Bob H wrote:
Translucent ruby in the glass, with red fruits, menthol and a little tarry background note.
Sweet/ripe red fruits on the palate, adequate acidity and decent persistence. Pretty good. Just a little unresolved tannin, so I would say this wine is just entering maturity.
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1/25/2018 - Bob H wrote:
Popped and poured. A light translucent ruby in the glass, with ripe cherry fruit and menthol on the nose.
Still has a tannic bite to it, but not overwhelming, so as long as you can deal with a little "resistance", this is doable at this point. Good acidity and persistence - a good vintage for Rio Sordo.
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10/1/2017 - Harley1199 Likes this wine:
47th Viceroy's B'Day; 9/28/2017-10/1/2017 (Restaurant La Piperna - Madrid): Despite tons of sediments I like this bottle. Bought in Burlingame (CA) and returned to Europe in 2008. Lovely character of violets, rotten roses and earth on the nose. Savoury yet a bit short on the palate. Nothing memorable but a honest Barbaresco. Until the last drop.
Me gusta esta botella. Comprada en Burlingame (CA) y devuelta a Europa en 2008. Carácter delicioso a violetas, rosas putrefactas y tierra en nariz. Sabroso pero un poco corto en el paladar. Nada memorable salvo un Barbaresco honesto. Hasta la última gota.
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9/23/2017 - Italiana Likes this wine:
Probably the best of the three bottles I've had recently. Assertive still, but pretty well balanced with matured fruit still up front.
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9/14/2017 - Italiana wrote:
I suspect this bottle was mishandled somewhere along the supply chain.
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6/4/2017 - Outplaying wrote:
1999 and 2001 Produttori Riservas (The Hughes): The nose is bigger, and more powerful than the 99. A little pine resin? Richer and fruitier than the 99 but for me, a little less interesting and complex. Perhaps this will evolve and develop further.
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1/14/2017 - Bob H Likes this wine:
Color is a darker translucent ruby; nice nose, with a balsamico note layered on top of red & black fruits.
Somewhat structured, and it still presents a tannic note on the palate as well. I would probably mark this down a bit for the somewhat abbreviated finish, but I think the components here remain in balance, and it's possible that the wine will see further development/improvement over the next decade. No crime to drink now, but if you only have a couple, I would continue to hold.
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11/3/2016 - rab. Does not like this wine: 85 Points
Far to tannic. First bottle had a fault, second was better but not a pleasure. Maybe incorrect storage (bought the wine this year in a store).
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3/12/2016 - FjordogFjell wrote: 89 Points
Friskere og bedre enn forrige flaske, fortsatt tydelig kalkpreg. Fin rose frukt og tobakk som kommer og går. 1 dag i åpen flaske, rester med litt bunnslam: Tre-fast og tilkneppet, best i går.
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2/28/2016 - yofog wrote:
Ripe yet high-toned red fruits, really expressive but not as balanced as the Montestefano imo.
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5/23/2015 - FjordogFjell wrote: 88 Points
Skjebneaften etter en hard dag med graving på nedsida av huset. Forsmak og dekantering: God frukt og litt modningspreg, våt betong, går over i søte jordbær (Bently) med luft, knall-syre og litt alkoholvarme, får selskap av tjære etter en time. 2 dager i åpen flaske: Ingen tegn til oksidasjon, fast og nesten litt anstrengende.
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1/11/2015 - melzar wrote: 90 Points
Mature aromatic Nebiollo nose. Well balaned palate with fully integrated oak and decent fruit. Less fruit than the Produttori Asili Riserva tasted along side. The table was split regarding which was the more enjoyable wine. Medium bodied wine that enhanced the northern Italian food experience.
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10/25/2014 - Eric Likes this wine:
An evening of Barolo and Barbaresco (Bern, Switzerland): Slightly more volatile and clearly traditional. Mmm, there is a lot going on here. Cranberry, dark, energetic. My #2 wine of the flight.
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10/25/2014 - dpolivy wrote: 94 Points
A Taste of Piedmonte in Switzerland (Bern): Tasted blind. Light spice, dried potpourri, some oak and red fruit. Powerful fruit on the body, yet it remains light and elegant. Great balance, and very fine tannins to round it out.
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10/25/2014 - gilrbo Likes this wine:
Barolo-Barbaresco 2001 (and perhaps older...). (Bern): Classic nose, quite floral, with underlying red fruit.
Tannic, dense, very intense, classic.
4 days later: some oxidation on the nose, but this dissipates - anyway this is now on darker notes, not floral anymore, almost towards chocolate and locust beans. Very compact. Intense and dark notes on the palate too. Strong tannins, but not excessive, fine grained. It has substance, it's powerful and intense.
I liked it more than the Asili on day one, but after three days, the Asili was clearly better.
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11/9/2013 - gilrbo Likes this wine:
Tasted blind with other Produttori 2001 and two pirates (Taurasi 01 + Etna 07).
Opened at 12 and slow-oxed until the evening.
The wine of the evening, almost unanimously. Very fine nose of an aged nebbiolo, with nice balance and a tobacco note.
Splendid palate: balanced, full, broad, well structured, with strong and round tannins. Drinking really beautifully right now.
****
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10/29/2010 - Karl Kristian wrote: 90 Points
After 4 days in opened and tasted bottle with cork and air this opened for fantastic concentrated deep dark fruit, still lots of nice tough tannins. Very balanced and super elegant. Very young still, I expect a long good life of more than 20 years.
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7/31/2010 - Ian S wrote:
despite being a little warmer than ideal (with consequent 'lifted' nose) seemed to have good balance and very approachable.
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1/29/2010 - Karl Kristian wrote: 84 Points
Red towards brick. Pale. Fantastic nose. Cherries and wild straberries. Liquorice and florality (wax). Complex. Very thight on the palate. Lot of fine grained tannin, concentrated cherries. Still young and very fresh. Nice dry end. Is it too tight, or still too young?
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2/6/2009 - David Paris (dbp) wrote: 90 Points
Produttori del Barbaresco (Burnside Zupan's (Portland, OR)): Perhaps the brightest fruit of the evening on both the nose and the palate, but it's razer sharp. Nice acidity and fruit throughout, with a firm tannic back end.
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9/30/2008 - Ian S wrote:
Although classically styled & tightly structured, everything feels in place and there are hints of the potential showing, but would expect this to need a decade before it really opens up.
[in the excellent Osteria Chiocciola in Cuneo]
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6/11/2008 - jjclips2 wrote: 91 Points
Produttori del Barbaresco with Aldo Vacca (Crow's Nest): Huge step up from the regular Barbaresco bottlings. Much more stuffing and complexity going on. Still youthful, but showing nice dried cranberries, lavender, and warm spices on nose. The palate is explosive with intensity. Spices, earthiness, dried fruits, and leather. I love that there's a lot going on, and even with the firm tannins and acidity, there's an underlying elegance just waiting to emerge. This has a long life ahead.
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6/11/2008 - hutch wrote: 91 Points
Vias and Aldo Vacca come to town: Nose was slightly muted. Big, huge tannins. Hugely structured. This needs time to really show itself, but it's got everything it needs to shine. Give it 5. 91-92
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5/16/2008 - Mozelrider wrote: 90 Points
Fine wine, elangance and smooth. Great potential still. Better in 3/5 years.
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1/27/2008 - br wrote:
drinking nicely....menthol, strawberries and a touch of tomato.. plenty of structure to carry it for another 10 years or so.
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12/15/2007 - Terkel wrote: 91 Points
Year end blindtasting: Clear brick red color. Delicate cherry framed by some oak on the nose. Sweet cherry fruit on the palate, and a note of orange. A fragile elegant mouthfeel first, but ending in harsh tannins that sucks your mouth dry. This needs serious time to soften up.
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2/10/2007 - kris.h wrote: 92 Points
Gorgeous dark ruby red. Initially the wine is tight an tannic but after lots of air it opens up to reveal a medium intensity nose of cinnamon, cherry, and other fruits. The palate is still tannic but hiding under all that tannin is some nice fruit. Medium weight body and striking acidity. The finish is long, complex, and strong. This is a beautiful wine. It needs a few years to be at its best but it's damn good now. 50 + 5 + 12 + 17 + 8
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