April 26, 2024 - Had strong acidity still but really didn’t have the complexity I was hoping for. Felt last it’s prime and pushing tertiary notes
March 27, 2021 - Opened 2 days prior to serving into Zalto Burgundy glass (“Fruit” day): Pale orange copperish with ruby tints to the eyes.
Powdery cosmetics, florals. Mature red berries.
Good palate concentration and fully integrated at this point. Good structure still and very good minerality.
94-95 points.
Second round: chocolate notes suggesting highly concentrated darker red fruits. Very much forward and consistent with the impression of the vineyard through the lens of this producer.
November 3, 2019 - At dinner paired with a truffle risotto after a 30 minute decant. Drinking beautifully now with vibrant berry/cherries supported by a high acidity backbone and a velvety mouthfeel initially that extends into a long finish.
June 9, 2019 - Opened 8 hours before serving into Zalto Burgundy glass (“Fruit” day): Pale garnet with bricking rims.
Savoury red berry fruits, finely detailed.
Very fine boned acidity, very high minerality. Super integration. Tight and clean finish.
93-94 points.
Second round tasting: Very nice and tight finish for this round. 93-94 points.
November 9, 2016 - Giacosa/ Gaja 1990s Comparison and Dinner (Ballaro - Highwood IL): Corked.
November 9, 2016 - Gaja / Giacosa Dinner (Ballaro, Highwood, IL): Corked.
June 10, 2016 - Interesting wine, a little weird, but definitely had character. Bit smoky, woody on nose. Mid weight, slightly tart. Bit of olive.
August 9, 2015 - Duration: 2 hours
Food: Japanese Sushi
Condition: perfect
Aroma: cherry, leather, tar, hints of berries
Notes: rather typical Barolo nose. Very powerful nose and palate. An interesting effoet from Giacosa, althought not a grade A Barolo nevertheless the complexity is there and it is a very decent drink. Althought drinkable now but I expect 2-3 more years before maturity. Drink 2018+.
March 18, 2015 - A pleasant surprise for the vintage. Nicely resolved after pop and pour. Pretty floral and spice nose. Nice sweetness, fruit, plenty of acidity. With time, the fruit faded and the acidity became more prominent. Not unpleasant but definitely overpowered the fruit with time. Same the next day. Past prime. Drink up.
May 31, 2011 - This was not very good. Opened for our 18th wedding anniverary. Fill was base neck and cork was soaked about 75% through (although no signs of seepage.) Color showed significant bricking. If the color was enough you could tell from the first sip that this bottle was clearly over the hill. Fruit was lacking and structure was virtually gone although there was some tannin evident. Wine was drinkable (if I had to rate I'd give an 80) but life is too short to waste on bad wine. Popped a bottle of Beringer Private Reserve as a back up.