Purplish cherry unclear color w/ lots of sendiment. Strong reduction on the nose almost disqualified it as flawed, but improved in 2hrs spent in glass.
Very tannic structure. High acidity. Good on the palate. Muscular powerful wine from village of Serralunga d'Alba located in the eastern part of Barolo winemaking area.
Typically ageworthy bold wines w/ medium-full body.
Was interesting to compare to same '97 Cannubi
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Dried black cherry, black raspberry, dried rose, light graphite, dusty earth, light tar, dried tomato leaf. Almost Brunello-like, but curiously more soft than an '88 that I had. Still good acidity and tannins are very fine and well integrated. I believe this is a bit after it's prime, but Fontafredda is consistent enough to rely on a good product from most years. Drink up!
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Friday Night Double Blind Tasting $40+ (Bin 75): Crimson core with orange rim, aged; soy, fennel, brown sugar, sandalwood, pure cherry, aged but still good flavors and richness; a ripe vintage that seems to be on an accelerated pace but this was well stored.
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Solid, correct Barolo in a traditional style and into its early maturity now. Nice accompaniment to dinner at Antonello's in OC, but no real wow factor or distinction to it.
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I took my only bottle of this wine to an offline with Squirrel Jam and our wives in Michigan. 2nd time I have had this wine. The last time was in 2003. I think I got this wine in a trade with Futronic. We did not decant this wine. This wine had some funk to it when first opened so some decanting would have helped. Some bricking. Soft fruit notes of cherry and pomegranite. Dried mushroom flavors as well. Somewhat short on the finish. I would drink this over the next few years if this bottle is representative. 86-87 points.
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Not much help here from a TN perspective since I didn't take real notes on vacation, but VM and I come pretty close. Here's what I scribbled down a couple days later: "nice, tarry and earthy nose, restrained, soft mouthfeel"
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Smoked meats and a hint of funk on the somewhat-tight nose; strong sense of cigar wrapper and spice, as well as loganberry on the palate; well-balanaced; still tight. Very good now, great in 5+ years. Hold.
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Cleveland Offline (Lockkeeper's): Balsamic and volatile on my nose. Seemed disjointed and had unpleasing notes, though natural ones, to me as well. Others liked this. There was some strawberry and aromatic notes underneath and a woody mushroom finish. Not my thing tonight.
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I've had the 1996 several times but not the 1997 until now. This is a blend of several vineyards from the Serralunga area. The wine was tighter and not showing as much as the 1996. Distinct cherry, dark berry and earthy notes. Needs time. Not quite as good as the 1996. 89-90.
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3/1/2018 - StasMedvedev.lv Likes this wine: 91 Points
WineTalks.club Barolo Cru Night
Opened bottle 2hr in advance.
Purplish cherry unclear color w/ lots of sendiment. Strong reduction on the nose almost disqualified it as flawed, but improved in 2hrs spent in glass.
Very tannic structure. High acidity. Good on the palate. Muscular powerful wine from village of Serralunga d'Alba located in the eastern part of Barolo winemaking area.
Typically ageworthy bold wines w/ medium-full body.
Was interesting to compare to same '97 Cannubi
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10/15/2017 - dwmichel Likes this wine: 90 Points
Dried black cherry, black raspberry, dried rose, light graphite, dusty earth, light tar, dried tomato leaf. Almost Brunello-like, but curiously more soft than an '88 that I had. Still good acidity and tannins are very fine and well integrated. I believe this is a bit after it's prime, but Fontafredda is consistent enough to rely on a good product from most years. Drink up!
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7/10/2015 - sdwineguru Likes this wine: 91 Points
Mid-brick, amber edges; older Italian nose; wood, leather, earth; mid-body; balanced; softening tannins; slightly metallic finish; excellent food wine. w/veal
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5/30/2014 - Rezy13 Likes this wine:
Friday Night Double Blind Tasting $40+ (Bin 75): Crimson core with orange rim, aged; soy, fennel, brown sugar, sandalwood, pure cherry, aged but still good flavors and richness; a ripe vintage that seems to be on an accelerated pace but this was well stored.
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2/9/2014 - Mellers wrote:
Decanted 3 hours. Delicate but quite muted nose. Showing its age I think as acidity dominating over fruit and structure. One dimensional
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8/18/2011 - Counselor Chris wrote: 90 Points
Solid, correct Barolo in a traditional style and into its early maturity now. Nice accompaniment to dinner at Antonello's in OC, but no real wow factor or distinction to it.
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8/11/2009 - Vino Me wrote: 87 Points
I took my only bottle of this wine to an offline with Squirrel Jam and our wives in Michigan. 2nd time I have had this wine. The last time was in 2003. I think I got this wine in a trade with Futronic. We did not decant this wine. This wine had some funk to it when first opened so some decanting would have helped. Some bricking. Soft fruit notes of cherry and pomegranite. Dried mushroom flavors as well. Somewhat short on the finish. I would drink this over the next few years if this bottle is representative. 86-87 points.
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8/8/2009 - Squirreljam wrote:
Not much help here from a TN perspective since I didn't take real notes on vacation, but VM and I come pretty close. Here's what I scribbled down a couple days later: "nice, tarry and earthy nose, restrained, soft mouthfeel"
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3/7/2009 - grafstrb wrote:
Dinner at Gia Cucina: -- popped and poured --
-- tasted non-blind --
Smoked meats and a hint of funk on the somewhat-tight nose; strong sense of cigar wrapper and spice, as well as loganberry on the palate; well-balanaced; still tight. Very good now, great in 5+ years. Hold.
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9/11/2005 - psmith wrote:
Dark, odd cherry nose with some VA and "blast furnace" notes. Angular with finishing grape tannins. **-
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9/10/2005 - AndrewSGHall wrote:
Cleveland Offline (Lockkeeper's): Balsamic and volatile on my nose. Seemed disjointed and had unpleasing notes, though natural ones, to me as well. Others liked this. There was some strawberry and aromatic notes underneath and a woody mushroom finish. Not my thing tonight.
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4/20/2003 - Vino Me wrote: 90 Points
I've had the 1996 several times but not the 1997 until now. This is a blend of several vineyards from the Serralunga area. The wine was tighter and not showing as much as the 1996. Distinct cherry, dark berry and earthy notes. Needs time. Not quite as good as the 1996. 89-90.
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