Slight browning at the rim, caramel aroma, but no other signs of old age. High-toned fruit, some smokiness, some tannin -- naming the individual sensory components, though, doesn't convey the enveloping, radiating warmth of this wine. Much grander than the 2003 that we had a few days earlier. I think this must be the peak drinking moment for the 1999.
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This is a perfect example of how the modern producers of the era were able to turn out pure elegance in the more structured vintages. That said, traditional or modern palate, the 1999 Ciabot Mentin Ginestra is simply stunning tonight. Balsam meets mentholated herbs, along with black currants, dried roses and smoke. Silky to the core yet with a tart twang of wild berries, zesty acids and saline minerals to balance. This tapers off long with grippy tannins offset by a lingering inner sweetness, hints of licorice and mint. Wow, please pour me another.
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Brought to a dinner hoping that it would show full mature Barolo expression although was somewhat worried since my personal tastes have evolved significantly away from modernist approaches that reigned in this period. I don't know that it was flawed but it wasn't good and gave an impression we concluded tasted like dirty barrels, similar to cheap Rioja from 30 years ago. Glad it's gone.
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12/19/2023 - talbot61 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Slight browning at the rim, caramel aroma, but no other signs of old age. High-toned fruit, some smokiness, some tannin -- naming the individual sensory components, though, doesn't convey the enveloping, radiating warmth of this wine. Much grander than the 2003 that we had a few days earlier. I think this must be the peak drinking moment for the 1999.
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4/20/2022 - awkiii Does not like this wine:
wine was no longer good
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4/16/2022 - Eric Guido Likes this wine:
This is a perfect example of how the modern producers of the era were able to turn out pure elegance in the more structured vintages. That said, traditional or modern palate, the 1999 Ciabot Mentin Ginestra is simply stunning tonight. Balsam meets mentholated herbs, along with black currants, dried roses and smoke. Silky to the core yet with a tart twang of wild berries, zesty acids and saline minerals to balance. This tapers off long with grippy tannins offset by a lingering inner sweetness, hints of licorice and mint. Wow, please pour me another.
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3/5/2022 - bevetroppo Does not like this wine:
Brought to a dinner hoping that it would show full mature Barolo expression although was somewhat worried since my personal tastes have evolved significantly away from modernist approaches that reigned in this period. I don't know that it was flawed but it wasn't good and gave an impression we concluded tasted like dirty barrels, similar to cheap Rioja from 30 years ago. Glad it's gone.
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12/27/2021 - Subtek Likes this wine: 94 Points
Brownish color.
Nice nose of raisins.
Mature palate, mainly second and tertiary aroma.
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