March 14, 2023 - 1993 survey, or filling a hole with Chave (Chicago, IL): Much cleaner than the last bottle of this that I had. It was a little muted at first and took some time to actually start really expressing itself. But this was classic Giacosa, with its perfumed, airy red fruit and silky tannic structure. No real signs that this was an off vintage at all (is it? I always assumed it was.) I love the crisp, red berry profile here. To be fair, this is a bit thinner and lighter than the best Giacosas, but it's no slouch of a wine.
March 14, 2020 - Clear ruby with a garnet hue. Tar, roses, spice and leather with sweet red and dark fruit. Great acidity, medium weight palate with a very long finish. This is ready now.
August 31, 2019 - Blind "Grand Cru" with Lobster & Flannery Steak (House of Nanda - Chicago IL): Served double blind. Red cherry with floral notes and plenty of earth. Slightly dirty, possibly bretty? Probably also getting tired. Good enough weight, but I didn't expect Giacosa. Not nearly as interesting as when last tasted in 2011. Probably 87-88 points tonight.
August 31, 2019 - Late night and didn't get nearly enough attention, but this came across as classic and traditional Nebbiolo if a little subdued and lacking that extra something you expect from Giacosa.
August 31, 2019 - "Grand cru" blinds (Chicago, IL): A slight hint of brett that's kind of atypical for Giacosa (and the region, really). At the same time there is some wispy red fruit and a bit of a floral perfume. The palate is pretty high in acid and earth tones; there's still red fruit but I think it's more dominated by acidity. The tannins are mostly resolved now; this isn't a bottle that has significant upside, given the weaker vintage.
November 11, 2015 - lovely bottle, showing the elegant side of babaresco. At or near prime drinking
December 13, 2011 - Popped, then poured 45 minutes later. incredibly floral nose with great red cherry aromas. Great sense of dried rose petals. Palate is quite a bit more austere than the nose, with lots of dried red cherry flavors, but somewhat hidden behind the wine's fairly robust tannins and acidity. I'd keep this in the cellar for a while longer.
October 3, 2010 - Similar to previous note. Everything that one wants in a Barbaresco. A superb, subtle wine.
May 6, 2010 - Took a couple of hours to blossom. A touch austere on the nose in a very good way with porcinis, dried red fruits, dried roses in an austere but perfumed way. Weightless in the mouth with sappy sweet red fruit. A bit of tannin remains but only barely. Great balance. Great length. Not mindblowing but overall a very good barbaresco, a touch on the masculine side and very pleasing. Too bad it was a singleton.
February 2, 2010 - Bottle, fill and cork all excellent. Cork pulled about 3 hours prior to dinner and one glass poured (I did not decant this, but should have as the last glass was a bit gritty). Typical nebbiolo profile with citrus and tar, this became more floral (roses) with time. This wine was superb with pasrta and meat balls (unaffected by the tomato acidity). It really grew in the glass with time and never tired. Great wine (from what was supposed to be a mediocre year) from a great wine producer. Many happy years ahead.