I don't know who left this in my cellar, but thank you. Day 1: opened this and it was like liquid pine tree leaves (or needles) for about 30 minutes. A tannic bazooka. Don't even think about not decanting. It then opened up with the rest of the tree, wood and lead and aged blackberry. Wow wee. Day 2: even better than day 1, a very long lasting experience, it doesn't stop asking you to figure it out ... muted sappiness, cherries, mushrooms, tar; very well balanced and structured, a mature wine at its peak & firing on all cylinders, drink up. Wow wee.
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Caraffed. Beautiful nebbiolo nose, tannines a bit green. After 1 day in the glass (!) or decanter smooth, complex, tannines entirely integrated. I love it, but if you want a bit of tanninic bite, this would be too much.
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Decanted 90 minutes and still took another 30 minutes before revealing itself. Drank over 2 1/2 hours and was still going strong to the last sip so definite life left...will open another in a year...
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- Medium forming legs - Better than prior bottle, perhaps helped by decanting. Velvety and complex. Barnyard aroma on initial drink but evaporated quickly. Balanced dried fruit, cherry, chocolate. Too bad last bottle.
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Mid to full body. Old world style with earth. some burnt toast, licorice and acidity in mid palate. Some mild drying tannin on finish. Hardly any fruit to speak of. OK drinker if not for the earthy barnyard notes that predominated even after being aerated and rested for over an hour. Second day not much better. Actually a bit disappointed in that it did not deliver. It showed some complexity, but the lingering barnyard notes just doesn't cut it anymore compared to what is available today at that price point. Maybe past peak from a flavor profile, but acidity and mild tannin still showed that it can last longer.
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Decanted for about 2 hours -- needed to separate from sediment, and to open up. Initial: Nose is raspberry (almost jammy) and cedar. Palate is almost devoid of fruit, but juicy acidity, tannins and cedar. After 2 hours: The nose tones down but still reveals red fruit and cedar. The palate comes together to present more red fruits, some spice, cedar, earth, juicy acidity, and integrated tannins. A more modern take on Barolo that reminds us of some aged Brunellos (oh, heresy!) -- red fruits, earth, juicy acidity, integrated tannins... Should hold for a few years, but very enjoyable now.
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2004 GIACOMO GRIMALDI SOTTO CASTELLO di NOVELLO BAROLO- the nose was really grapey as in Welch`s Grape Juice; even the taste had some raisiny dark fruit along with some oak influence; overall the wine was on the mellow side and had a nice mouthfeel.
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Red Apple and raspberry jam. This was my first experience of Barolo and was told that this is not representative of the style, however, it was a nice experience.
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Atypical Barolo with powerful, delicious fruit. Raspberry, hints of red apple skin up front and red apple meat on the back. Almost cab, or syrah like. Really liked this, and would score it higher, but it's really not what I'd expect in Barolo.
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Not at its peak yet. Upon opening, recognizable notes of Barolo's licorice, but very subtle. After an hour of decanting, the wine shut down temporarily and then opened up considerably after 2.5-3 hours of decanting, with dark chocolate, cherry, and licorice notes on the palate. Tannins are well integrated but still there. Noticeable acidity, too. Solid mid-palate and moderate-to-long finish. Should only improve with a couple more years.
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92 pnv first glass with veal meatballs and risotto. Deep dark mouth drying fruit. What a great food wine for sure.
88 glass two an hour later did someone switch bottles? Keep an eye on the clock if you open a bottle. Perhaps this could last another 5 years but if you open be prepared to enjoy within hour.
I hope I am wrong as I have two more bottles.
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What a difference a couple of years made: This is beautiful now. Ripe cherries, a dusty dry tar, and only a little excess alcohol. Opened up after an hour. It's a decade old now and has a LOT left. 1 left and it won't be touched for at least 5 more years.
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Delightful. Opened on my mom's birthday (while she was visiting). Very aromatic upon opening. Evolved over time. Tasted powerful and energetic with plenty of horsepower yet left. On the palate, delightful but complex and not simplistic/easy. Excellent. Buy more if possible.
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Interestingly, most similar to Palmina's Savoia, a blend of Neb, Syrah and Barbera. Definitely in a modern mold, lush, fruity, extracted with moderate acidity. See prior note for organoleptic details. I do think this is more for the near term as it seems likely to lose its charms as the fruit dries out.
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Darker in color and weightier than typical Barolo. Definitely new world style. Very youthful but quite approachable. Tasty dark fruit with just a little of the typical Barolo tar. Outstanding.
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Consistent with previous bottle. Great nose of chocolate cherries, tar and rose petals. A touch of heat coming through on the nose this time but not enough to detract from the rest of the aromas. Strong tannins and high acidity on this wine with some juicy cherry flavors coming through and some bitter dark chocolate on the back end. Very dry finish. Lots of life left in this wine and I am disappointed that I don't have anymore in the cellar. Really good barolo.
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Tar and licorice. Interesting pepper notes. Some hints of red fruit, as well. I think this is approachable now as tannins were not prevalent, but could certainly wait several years. Overall this was enjoyable and matched well with meat.
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Approachable but still really young. Big ass wine. Tar and deep, sweet fruit on the nose. Also some acetone-like burn. Perfumed florals. The palate follows with much the same. Really modern in style. I get darker fruits more than pure red. I think it needs some time to piece together. Finish is a bit shorter than I expected/like. It's delicious, but its big and young. At least to my palate. My other bottle sleeps for a while.
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muted nose, tar, balsamic red fruit and some oak, similar flavours on the palate, not sure if this wine is passed or not but the acidity seems way too much for the fruit and came across a bit unbalanced with some noticeable heat on the mid palate with a medium finish
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Modern styled, nose, some what muted, violets and red fruits. Initally, tar, red fruits, cedar and tobacoo. Good Acidity and well structured. This seemed to be in good place as opposed to other 04's I ve tasted. This would be a 5-10 year wine, somewhat tight on the open, however was decanted 2 hours and drank over 2 more, so I am going to keep in the cellar.
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Judging in retrospect both by producer notes (barriques and roto-fermenters) as well as reviews (Galloni indicates not most typical/very ripe style, Suckling loved it), this is a modern style Barolo. Explains a lot about the fruit character and immediate delicious factor.
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Too young. Wine was pretty closed. It's all there I think with the cherries, tar, a bit of floral on the nose but it the palate was still pretty sharp and the finish was non-existent. Two to go and I'm not touching one for at least another year.
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Dark ruby color with great clarity. Chocolate covered cherries, dried red fruits, lilac, powder on the nose. Sour cherries on the palate with a touch of candied red fruit. Silky smooth mouthfeel, medium+ acid and tannins with a dry finish. Textbook barolo and very good for the price paid.
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Aromas and flavors of chocolate covered cherries, a little dirt, and some dried leaves. Medium to full body. Very gripping sweet tannins. Has a way to go. Big and intense without being over the top.
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Very good new world style Barolo. Decanted for two hours, but the nose was full of sweet red fruit, spice, and cedar right off the bat. These fantastic aromas continued through the night and had me constantly sniffing and enjoying. On the palate, an array of pure red fruits (cranberry, raspberry), licorice, and a hint of musty cellar. At this point, very fruit forward and missing some of the secondary Italian characteristics that I love. Still well made, though, and the dusty tannins give nice stucture wtih medium acid also present. Score would be at least a point higher with a little more complexity...hopefully will develop with time.
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Closed, tight entry level barolo with understated fruit. Still tannic, this wine is representative of a style that shows off balsamic, stewed fruit though the fruit is muted and needs coaxing with plenty of decanting. Delicate palate of dusty rose petals that is a trademark of many barolos, is not showing in this wine. It may benefit from a longer cellaring in developing greater complexity. B-
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2/8/2022 - dke wrote: 90 Points
This was too oaky and tannic the first evening but it improved significantly (re-corked) on the second night 89-90.
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12/11/2020 - Carib Likes this wine: 97 Points
I don't know who left this in my cellar, but thank you. Day 1: opened this and it was like liquid pine tree leaves (or needles) for about 30 minutes. A tannic bazooka. Don't even think about not decanting. It then opened up with the rest of the tree, wood and lead and aged blackberry. Wow wee.
Day 2: even better than day 1, a very long lasting experience, it doesn't stop asking you to figure it out ... muted sappiness, cherries, mushrooms, tar; very well balanced and structured, a mature wine at its peak & firing on all cylinders, drink up. Wow wee.
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7/22/2020 - PeterMole wrote:
Caraffed. Beautiful nebbiolo nose, tannines a bit green. After 1 day in the glass (!) or decanter smooth, complex, tannines entirely integrated. I love it, but if you want a bit of tanninic bite, this would be too much.
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6/16/2020 - neruda11 wrote: 92 Points
Decanted 90 minutes and still took another 30 minutes before revealing itself. Drank over 2 1/2 hours and was still going strong to the last sip so definite life left...will open another in a year...
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10/6/2019 - B & B wrote: 91 Points
- Medium forming legs - Better than prior bottle, perhaps helped by decanting. Velvety and complex. Barnyard aroma on initial drink but evaporated quickly. Balanced dried fruit, cherry, chocolate. Too bad last bottle.
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7/6/2019 - John O' Likes this wine:
fantastic
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9/3/2018 - Kentw wrote: 86 Points
Mid to full body. Old world style with earth. some burnt toast, licorice and acidity in mid palate. Some mild drying tannin on finish. Hardly any fruit to speak of. OK drinker if not for the earthy barnyard notes that predominated even after being aerated and rested for over an hour. Second day not much better. Actually a bit disappointed in that it did not deliver. It showed some complexity, but the lingering barnyard notes just doesn't cut it anymore compared to what is available today at that price point. Maybe past peak from a flavor profile, but acidity and mild tannin still showed that it can last longer.
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5/27/2018 - VlgJeff wrote: 92 Points
Decanted for about 2 hours -- needed to separate from sediment, and to open up.
Initial: Nose is raspberry (almost jammy) and cedar. Palate is almost devoid of fruit, but juicy acidity, tannins and cedar.
After 2 hours: The nose tones down but still reveals red fruit and cedar. The palate comes together to present more red fruits, some spice, cedar, earth, juicy acidity, and integrated tannins. A more modern take on Barolo that reminds us of some aged Brunellos (oh, heresy!) -- red fruits, earth, juicy acidity, integrated tannins...
Should hold for a few years, but very enjoyable now.
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11/4/2017 - gajalaa Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very good
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9/8/2017 - Blake Brown Likes this wine: 89 Points
2004 GIACOMO GRIMALDI SOTTO CASTELLO di NOVELLO BAROLO- the nose was really grapey as in Welch`s Grape Juice; even the taste had some raisiny dark fruit along with some oak influence; overall the wine was on the mellow side and had a nice mouthfeel.
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5/29/2017 - JoeD83 wrote: 91 Points
Red Apple and raspberry jam. This was my first experience of Barolo and was told that this is not representative of the style, however, it was a nice experience.
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5/28/2017 - BrunelloBob wrote: 89 Points
Atypical Barolo with powerful, delicious fruit. Raspberry, hints of red apple skin up front and red apple meat on the back. Almost cab, or syrah like. Really liked this, and would score it higher, but it's really not what I'd expect in Barolo.
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1/1/2017 - PeterMole wrote:
Fantastische wijn, mooie nebiolo, is op dronk en kan nog heel lang mee. Volgende liefst pas over 3 jaar.
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10/25/2015 - Slaz Likes this wine: 92 Points
Not at its peak yet. Upon opening, recognizable notes of Barolo's licorice, but very subtle. After an hour of decanting, the wine shut down temporarily and then opened up considerably after 2.5-3 hours of decanting, with dark chocolate, cherry, and licorice notes on the palate. Tannins are well integrated but still there. Noticeable acidity, too. Solid mid-palate and moderate-to-long finish. Should only improve with a couple more years.
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1/1/2015 - redman77 wrote: 90 Points
92 pnv first glass with veal meatballs and risotto. Deep dark mouth drying fruit. What a great food wine for sure.
88 glass two an hour later did someone switch bottles? Keep an eye on the clock if you open a bottle. Perhaps this could last another 5 years but if you open be prepared to enjoy within hour.
I hope I am wrong as I have two more bottles.
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4/3/2014 - PeterMole wrote:
Mature, but will last for many years. Rather modern and full bodied, but not too thick. Fruit and earthy tones in balance. Next bottle in 2 years.
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3/14/2014 - PeterMole wrote: flawed
Corked, o no.
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3/2/2014 - Mig22 wrote: 91 Points
What a difference a couple of years made: This is beautiful now. Ripe cherries, a dusty dry tar, and only a little excess alcohol. Opened up after an hour. It's a decade old now and has a LOT left. 1 left and it won't be touched for at least 5 more years.
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11/1/2013 - Slaz Likes this wine: 93 Points
Delightful. Opened on my mom's birthday (while she was visiting). Very aromatic upon opening. Evolved over time. Tasted powerful and energetic with plenty of horsepower yet left. On the palate, delightful but complex and not simplistic/easy. Excellent. Buy more if possible.
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9/20/2013 - Cabfrancophile Likes this wine: 90 Points
Interestingly, most similar to Palmina's Savoia, a blend of Neb, Syrah and Barbera. Definitely in a modern mold, lush, fruity, extracted with moderate acidity. See prior note for organoleptic details. I do think this is more for the near term as it seems likely to lose its charms as the fruit dries out.
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6/22/2013 - soyhead wrote: 93 Points
nose - plums, plum skins
mouth - plum skin on the attack, velvety mouthfeel, rich and with balsamic notes. thoroughly tannic but very round. gorgeous.
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12/17/2012 - pkatz Likes this wine: 94 Points
Darker in color and weightier than typical Barolo. Definitely new world style. Very youthful but quite approachable. Tasty dark fruit with just a little of the typical Barolo tar. Outstanding.
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10/21/2012 - Rich S wrote: 92 Points
Consistent with previous bottle. Great nose of chocolate cherries, tar and rose petals. A touch of heat coming through on the nose this time but not enough to detract from the rest of the aromas. Strong tannins and high acidity on this wine with some juicy cherry flavors coming through and some bitter dark chocolate on the back end. Very dry finish. Lots of life left in this wine and I am disappointed that I don't have anymore in the cellar. Really good barolo.
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10/12/2012 - johndefi Likes this wine: 90 Points
Tar and licorice. Interesting pepper notes. Some hints of red fruit, as well. I think this is approachable now as tannins were not prevalent, but could certainly wait several years. Overall this was enjoyable and matched well with meat.
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9/29/2012 - KyleMittskus wrote: 89 Points
Approachable but still really young. Big ass wine. Tar and deep, sweet fruit on the nose. Also some acetone-like burn. Perfumed florals. The palate follows with much the same. Really modern in style. I get darker fruits more than pure red. I think it needs some time to piece together. Finish is a bit shorter than I expected/like. It's delicious, but its big and young. At least to my palate. My other bottle sleeps for a while.
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8/19/2012 - eoinhharkins wrote: 86 Points
muted nose, tar, balsamic red fruit and some oak, similar flavours on the palate, not sure if this wine is passed or not but the acidity seems way too much for the fruit and came across a bit unbalanced with some noticeable heat on the mid palate with a medium finish
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5/10/2012 - viking60 wrote: 91 Points
Modern styled, nose, some what muted, violets and red fruits. Initally, tar, red fruits, cedar and tobacoo. Good Acidity and well structured. This seemed to be in good place as opposed to other 04's I ve tasted. This would be a 5-10 year wine, somewhat tight on the open, however was decanted 2 hours and drank over 2 more, so I am going to keep in the cellar.
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12/17/2011 - Cabfrancophile wrote:
Casa Sena Tasting, December 2011 (La Casa Sena retail shop, Santa Fe, NM): Perfumed, ripely fruited aromatics and surprisingly approachable for a young Barolo. Strawberry, tar/petrol, anise. Structured and rich, yet a bit elegant/pretty in its own way.
Judging in retrospect both by producer notes (barriques and roto-fermenters) as well as reviews (Galloni indicates not most typical/very ripe style, Suckling loved it), this is a modern style Barolo. Explains a lot about the fruit character and immediate delicious factor.
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12/15/2011 - Mig22 wrote: 88 Points
Too young. Wine was pretty closed. It's all there I think with the cherries, tar, a bit of floral on the nose but it the palate was still pretty sharp and the finish was non-existent. Two to go and I'm not touching one for at least another year.
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10/17/2011 - Rich S wrote: 92 Points
Dark ruby color with great clarity. Chocolate covered cherries, dried red fruits, lilac, powder on the nose. Sour cherries on the palate with a touch of candied red fruit. Silky smooth mouthfeel, medium+ acid and tannins with a dry finish. Textbook barolo and very good for the price paid.
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9/21/2011 - ecola Likes this wine: 92 Points
Aromas and flavors of chocolate covered cherries, a little dirt, and some dried leaves. Medium to full body. Very gripping sweet tannins. Has a way to go. Big and intense without being over the top.
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4/30/2011 - NJ BIG CHRIS wrote: 91 Points
good fruity and herb driven old world style wine
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2/16/2011 - pete s. wrote: 91 Points
Very good new world style Barolo. Decanted for two hours, but the nose was full of sweet red fruit, spice, and cedar right off the bat. These fantastic aromas continued through the night and had me constantly sniffing and enjoying. On the palate, an array of pure red fruits (cranberry, raspberry), licorice, and a hint of musty cellar. At this point, very fruit forward and missing some of the secondary Italian characteristics that I love. Still well made, though, and the dusty tannins give nice stucture wtih medium acid also present. Score would be at least a point higher with a little more complexity...hopefully will develop with time.
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2/7/2011 - swapdoc wrote:
Closed, tight entry level barolo with understated fruit. Still tannic, this wine is representative of a style that shows off balsamic, stewed fruit though the fruit is muted and needs coaxing with plenty of decanting. Delicate palate of dusty rose petals that is a trademark of many barolos, is not showing in this wine. It may benefit from a longer cellaring in developing greater complexity. B-
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12/11/2010 - soyhead wrote: 91 Points
Sappy with good concentration, almost tutti-fruity, hint of licorice and still pronounced tannins. Quite nice.
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