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Ian's Birthday Piedmont Extravaganza
Tasted May 24, 2023 by Radders12345 with 167 views
Introduction
I felt incredibly privileged to have been invited to this event and to count the host as a friend. His incredible generosity was on display tonight and eloquently made the point that these wines are all the more enjoyable when shared with appreciative company. To say I was appreciative feels like an understatement given these wines and the company. Thank you!
Excellent service as always from Matthieu and the team. I brought along 3 Conterno Sensory glasses for the reds.
Flight 1 - Italian Fizz (1 note)
White - Sparkling
N.V. Azienda Agricola Marcalberto Alta Langa Metodo Classico Nature
92 points
Lovely bready nose with some lemon and hint of cucumber. Nice herbal and citrus opening to the palate than some sweet green apple. Really lovely.
Flight 2 - Naughties (3 notes)
Red
2004 Roagna Barbaresco Pajè
92 points
Kicking off the reds. I have enjoyed the 2014 of this recently but not had this old a vintage.
On the nose dried aged roses, dark inky cherry alongside a little lifted pomegranate, old leather rand salty minerality.
On the palate this is silky with sapid inky dark cherry and a little black tea. Long refreshing finish.
This was a good start but suspect these should be drunk sooner vs later
On the nose dried aged roses, dark inky cherry alongside a little lifted pomegranate, old leather rand salty minerality.
On the palate this is silky with sapid inky dark cherry and a little black tea. Long refreshing finish.
This was a good start but suspect these should be drunk sooner vs later
Red
2004 Giuseppe E Figlio Mascarello Barolo Monprivato
93 points
Nose is very lifted and fresh with some bruised strawberry and balsamic. Similar on the palate with sweet red fruit that glides into a very elegant finish. Classic Monprivato in it's sprezzatura-esque understatement but elegance
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Red
2009 Bartolo Mascarello Barolo
93 points
A little shier on the nose that the rest in the flight but some sweet red menthol, tar and mint emerge with patience - all quite fresh. On the palate nicely tangy and a lip-smacking finish. Well balanced wine that feel like it might say more in the future.
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Flight 3 - Cold War Wines (3 notes)
Red
1990 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino
95 points
The nose on this gives sweet, minty, inky plum, licorice, mushroom - each sniff rewards you with something different.
On the palate delicious, savoury, almost salty tang, great depth of sapid plum fruit and tannins. Perfectly on point - what the Italians might call a meditation wine.
On the palate delicious, savoury, almost salty tang, great depth of sapid plum fruit and tannins. Perfectly on point - what the Italians might call a meditation wine.
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Red
1989 Gaja Barbaresco Sorì San Lorenzo
93 points
Sweet tar on the nose, a little classic red menthol cough syrup (in a good way), mint, black tea, sun warmed tarmac.
Very very silky and polished on the attack, quite ethereal in a way on the finish with leathery tones.
This was playing to a different tune that the other reds in the line up but an undoubtedly well made wine and a treat to try.
Very very silky and polished on the attack, quite ethereal in a way on the finish with leathery tones.
This was playing to a different tune that the other reds in the line up but an undoubtedly well made wine and a treat to try.
Red
1967 Cappellano Barolo
97 points
Well this was a treat.
I get the impression we often hold "old wines" in reverence for simply being old and I have to admit that on seeing this on the line up I tried to recall from GCSE history what events were occurring in 1967 but this performed way beyond just being a survivor of the "Summer of Love".
Laser focused red fruit - it feels like a virtuoso sax solo while the rest of the jazz band pauses. Flavour-wise there is really clear red plum with a some umeshu, it’s crystal clear and so well delineated. The finish lasts an age. This is benchmark setting for me - thank you Ian!
I get the impression we often hold "old wines" in reverence for simply being old and I have to admit that on seeing this on the line up I tried to recall from GCSE history what events were occurring in 1967 but this performed way beyond just being a survivor of the "Summer of Love".
Laser focused red fruit - it feels like a virtuoso sax solo while the rest of the jazz band pauses. Flavour-wise there is really clear red plum with a some umeshu, it’s crystal clear and so well delineated. The finish lasts an age. This is benchmark setting for me - thank you Ian!
Flight 4 - Barolo Greats (3 notes)
Red
2010 Comm. G.B. Burlotto Barolo Monvigliero
94 points
Really perfumed nose - cherry tobacco, bruised plum, spice - rewards repeated sniffs!
Really deep and delicious spicy plum on the palate with an incredibly long finish. Wonderful wine and drinking well.
Really deep and delicious spicy plum on the palate with an incredibly long finish. Wonderful wine and drinking well.
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Comment
Red
2004 Cappellano Barolo Pie Franco Otin Fiorin (Gabutti)
96 points
My runner up as WOTN.
On the nose this entices you with silky, plush, deep red cherry and high toned tar.
On the palate this is very polished and well made, everything flows together from the attack, to mid palate to finish. Excellent delineation and a really long finish.
On the nose this entices you with silky, plush, deep red cherry and high toned tar.
On the palate this is very polished and well made, everything flows together from the attack, to mid palate to finish. Excellent delineation and a really long finish.
Red
2001 Cappellano Barolo Piè Rupestris Otin Fiorin (Gabutti)
flawed
I'm very bad at sensing TCA but this was easy. Corked. :(
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Flight 5 - Giacosa Throw Down (3 notes)
Red
1996 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto di Serralunga d'Alba
94 points
Another very perfumed nose.
Really cologne like being while also being fresh and lifted with red fruit and a little red apple. Palate delivers the same with a grippy finish.
Really cologne like being while also being fresh and lifted with red fruit and a little red apple. Palate delivers the same with a grippy finish.
Red
1996 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Riserva Asili
95 points
Again an amazing perfumed nose - slightly sweet and lifted, very posh leather - a brand new tasteful sports car.
Fresh and delicious on the palate with excellent delineation. Intoxicating and sensuous while being precise and fresh.
Fresh and delicious on the palate with excellent delineation. Intoxicating and sensuous while being precise and fresh.
Red
2001 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà
95 points
We're on a theme here with these Giacosa's with gorgeous perfumed nose that lures you in. Sweet red licorice, black tea. On the palate fresh and tangy but incredibly well balanced -full of verve and energy. Damn good stuff sir!
Flight 6 - Extra-Fizz (1 note)
White - Sparkling
N.V. Dhondt-Grellet Champagne Dans un Premier Temps Assemblage Extra Brut
92 points
Generous addition from NickA and OCG.
Very buttery nose with lifted white flowers and grapefruit peel. Gorgeous.
Silky and rich - lemon curd with a spritz of pink grapefruit and pear.
Passed my patented "WineSearcher Test" as I bought 6 bottles at the table!
Very buttery nose with lifted white flowers and grapefruit peel. Gorgeous.
Silky and rich - lemon curd with a spritz of pink grapefruit and pear.
Passed my patented "WineSearcher Test" as I bought 6 bottles at the table!