November 16, 2019 - Dark ruby core with definite bricking through the rim. Attractive pungent aromas of black cherry, rust, musk, sous bous, and lavender. The palate is firm and generous with herbal tinged ripe red fruit flavors, good supporting acidity, and still edgy tannins. The finish is tangy and persistent with tremendous earthy complexity. This bottle was decanted and followed over four hours, while drinking beautifully the structure is still exuberant. I think this could use another ten to twenty years.
December 19, 2017 - 1st of 3. This is pretty tasty. Red fruits, a tiny whiff of oak. This is in its drinking window. Tannins are fairly resolved.
March 2, 2016 - great stuff. good fruit. lot of life yet.
March 24, 2013 - decanted for a few hours. nice, unremarkable Barolo. seemed to get better with time, or maybe thyme. very, very good?
May 19, 2012 - Slow-ox'd for the day. Aromas of spice, tar, truffle, animal fur, prune, dried cherry. While somewhat expressive on the nose, the palate was pretty tight. Plenty of structure with tannins integrating, the wine needed significant air. Vacu-vinned the remaining half bottle, and left in the fridge for four days.
When the wine was revisited and allowed to come to temperature, aromas exploded from the glass and the palate finally caught up and was excellent. This wine clearly needs more time and I think there is still room for improvement. Drink 2015-2022.
March 10, 2012 - RUSSK WSW@Jim's Top tier. See notes from edjedj yesterday, must have been there.
March 9, 2012 - Opened up after 3 hours. Good nose, medium body, excellent balance and a nice finish. Good for the next 5-10 years. Many admirers.
November 11, 2011 - Decanted 2 hours, tart cherries on the nose, a BIG wine with lots of structure, long silky finish with lots of tannins. Continued to be powerful throughout the evening. Nice above average Barolo
April 19, 2011 - Wow what a bottle, pure and piercing aromatics of black tea, tobacco cinnamon, plum, red cherry and licourice. Med plus intensity flavors of cherry truffle tobacco and charred black fruits. Long silky and ripe. Tannins are present but simply framing the wine. Gorgeous med plus finish.
November 26, 2010 - Tasted after some heavier wines but still, this was amazing. Tart cherry on the nose with plenty of autumn leaves and a hint of baking spice. It wows the mouth with acidity and takes the saliva away with tannins, leaving a long, tingling finish.