September 20, 2020 - Drink up.
Opened, but did not decant, 2 hours before dinner- threw tons of sediment so sit bottle upright overnight if you can. Brick red color with browning on the edge. Tar, tobacco, black cherry , leather and prune on nose. On palate, licorice, sweet cherry, dark cherry and tobacco. medium+ body, medium acidity and tannins still stout. Palate was more alive than the nose suggested. 90+/- Will drink remaning bottle in the next year or two. Tannins beat the fruit's life on this one. Been in a cool cellar since 2011.
April 26, 2020 - Delicious and last bottle. cherry cola on the nose and I agree - a super fragrant rose - Great acid and not super luxurious in the mouth but it is a fantastic, "bricky" barolo... wish I had more.
February 1, 2020 - More leather, sweat brettiness than the 2001 wines (another Santo Stefano and an L. Pira Marenca), I think this was good but lagging quite a bit behind the 01s. Both of the 01s tasted fresher, more intricate and complex.
June 17, 2019 - My last bottle. I've followed this vintage over 3 cases and six years, like saying good bye to an old friend. Decanted for 3+ hours. Damn good, huge perfumy nose of roses and spices, hints of cedar. On the palate, opulent red fruit, fireworks of spices, round tannins (!) and a long, long finish. This must be at or close to peak. Wish I had more. Tonight paired with chinese food for dinner.
April 27, 2019 - 和1997差不多，已达高峰，没有长时间醒酒就好喝。口感强劲，香气开放，但是缺乏优雅
April 22, 2019 - Decanted for 1-2h at 1862. Continuing to evolve, still gorgeous. Paired with foie gras and fresh cut strawberries, really enhanced the berry and cherry notes in the wine. Not the classical pairing but still fantastic.
November 24, 2018 - Opened to breathe for 2h. Thankfully still gorgeous, consistent with my previous notes. I love this wine.
September 7, 2018 - Decanted for 3h. At this stage, it really needs it. The nose is a heady perfume of lavender, violets, roses, spices, woodsiness, and hot tar. On the palate we have a huge expression of red fruit, spices, tar, oak, flowers acid and tannins on the finish. Fantastic and bold! Absolutely gorgeous for a Barolo. I have a feeling this is at peak and I need to enjoy my last remaining bottles while it is in its prime.
April 27, 2018 - Decanted for 3h. I've had the great pleasure of following this Barolo for the past 5 years or so, watching it evolve. Once a strong masculine Barolo, its style has eased over the past two years. It now seems mature and fully integrated. More smooth. The perfumy nose has violets, tar, berries, sandalwood spicebox, and rose. On the palate a harmoniously integrated cascade of raspberries, sweet cherries, sandalwood, spices, white pepper too. There are fine polished tannins at the edge of your mouth and a long peppery finish. Superb. This just kept getting better and better with more air time over a 6h period. A very satisfying meditation Barolo for Friday night, along with savory lamb in pea soup with lentils.
March 21, 2018 - Chez Garth, 2 min in iSomm, then decanted for 30 min. In a vertical with '98 and '09, the '00 was the WOTN for power strength and intensity. Still fabulous, consistent with my previous notes.