Earthy, very Barbaresque nose. Even at this age the palate has not yet entirely shaken off its slightly modernist polished sheen, this is dense and firmly structured, filled with rich fruit, tobacco, licorice, moist soil, menthol, iron, blood orange and more. Evident presence of gum drying tannins. Quite good acidity, which ties the whole package nicely together. Long and lingering finish which is dry but juicy. Excellent now, especially for friends of modernist side of the spectrum Barbarescos. This has some years left in it but I suspect that at some point the tannins over live the fruit.
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Decanted for sedimand let breathe for 1hr Nose is high toned with red and black cherry, crushed rose petals, violets, cinnamon, nutmeg, wet soil, leather and sweet pipe tobacco. Palate has high tannin and medium+ acid with cherry licqour, dried rose petals, spice, black plum, tobacco, earth, orange rind and asphault. Finish is medium with moderate complexity. There is a touch of alcohol that is sticking out on the finish but other than that, this is really quite pretty and drinking well.
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Initially this bottle was very closed despite being decanted. By the second glass though it had opened up nicely. Structure and balance are good. Still has room to get better.
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Drunk over two evenings, better on the second. Garnet colour, beginning to lightly brown. A classic Barbaresco nose. A bouquet of roses, dry cut hay, warm clay, underbrush, old leather, cigar, spices and a little tar. No significant barrique artefact, that has melted away. In the mouth, nothing sweet, entirely earthy and savoury with worn leather couch, tobacco, caramalised, smoky meats, dried red fruits, powdered cocoa and creosote. Well balanced and integrated, nicely in its secondary phase. Some grip on the long, dry sandy finish. A wine from Sottimano's best site - in my view - given sufficient time. Now in its ideal drinking window.
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Restrained but beautiful nose. Rose, spices and the works. I did not find the oak too obvious. It might be the reason the wine felt "polished" in a way. The wine was more open and accessible on the second day.
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Beautiful wine. Still very young, but great fruit definition. Medium bodied, blue and black fruits, acidity and tannins a little sharp, but moving in a nice direction. This wine will be amazing in about 3 years.
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taste: medium acidity with a good medium/light feel, but again, a touch too much oak as it is the dominant flavors with good tones of earth, spices, and dark red cherries. Not a whole lot of depth on the palate, but solid
overall: this would be a lot better if the oak is able to integrate. Hopefully some depth and complexity will be picked up too. A solid barbaresco, but nothing really to write all that much home about
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11/24/2023 - Lype Likes this wine:
Earthy, very Barbaresque nose. Even at this age the palate has not yet entirely shaken off its slightly modernist polished sheen, this is dense and firmly structured, filled with rich fruit, tobacco, licorice, moist soil, menthol, iron, blood orange and more. Evident presence of gum drying tannins. Quite good acidity, which ties the whole package nicely together. Long and lingering finish which is dry but juicy. Excellent now, especially for friends of modernist side of the spectrum Barbarescos. This has some years left in it but I suspect that at some point the tannins over live the fruit.
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5/11/2020 - Dave Canada wrote: 93 Points
Decanted for sedimand let breathe for 1hr
Nose is high toned with red and black cherry, crushed rose petals, violets, cinnamon, nutmeg, wet soil, leather and sweet pipe tobacco.
Palate has high tannin and medium+ acid with cherry licqour, dried rose petals, spice, black plum, tobacco, earth, orange rind and asphault.
Finish is medium with moderate complexity. There is a touch of alcohol that is sticking out on the finish but other than that, this is really quite pretty and drinking well.
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12/22/2019 - Andrew67 Likes this wine:
Initially this bottle was very closed despite being decanted. By the second glass though it had opened up nicely. Structure and balance are good. Still has room to get better.
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11/24/2019 - HowardNZ Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drunk over two evenings, better on the second. Garnet colour, beginning to lightly brown. A classic Barbaresco nose. A bouquet of roses, dry cut hay, warm clay, underbrush, old leather, cigar, spices and a little tar. No significant barrique artefact, that has melted away. In the mouth, nothing sweet, entirely earthy and savoury with worn leather couch, tobacco, caramalised, smoky meats, dried red fruits, powdered cocoa and creosote. Well balanced and integrated, nicely in its secondary phase. Some grip on the long, dry sandy finish. A wine from Sottimano's best site - in my view - given sufficient time. Now in its ideal drinking window.
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12/16/2017 - Andrew67 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Balanced tannin and acidity. Nicely restrained fruit. Good structure and decent length.
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2/29/2016 - Vertigo wrote: 91 Points
Restrained but beautiful nose. Rose, spices and the works. I did not find the oak too obvious. It might be the reason the wine felt "polished" in a way. The wine was more open and accessible on the second day.
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1/17/2016 - Andrew67 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Beautiful wine. Still very young, but great fruit definition. Medium bodied, blue and black fruits, acidity and tannins a little sharp, but moving in a nice direction. This wine will be amazing in about 3 years.
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6/6/2014 - Ydaucourt wrote: 92 Points
Double decanted but still very closed but with huge potential. Forget until 2017-2018
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1/22/2009 - KeithAkers wrote: 86 Points
Mark De Grazia selections: 05 Barolos, 04 Brunellos, 06 Barbarescos (MK, Chicago IL): nose: fairly oaked on the nose with earthen tones, tobacco, dark red cherries, and bits of spices. The oak isn't completely obtrusive, but its very present and almost in your face
taste: medium acidity with a good medium/light feel, but again, a touch too much oak as it is the dominant flavors with good tones of earth, spices, and dark red cherries. Not a whole lot of depth on the palate, but solid
overall: this would be a lot better if the oak is able to integrate. Hopefully some depth and complexity will be picked up too. A solid barbaresco, but nothing really to write all that much home about
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