Vintage Barolo Tasting at Wine Watch

I love waking up in the morning not knowing what I am gonna do or who I am gonna meet. Just yesterday I was sleeping under a bridge, and today I am on the grandest liner in the world drinking champagne with you fine people. I will have some more please.

Jack Dawson

We have to plan a little more in advance here at the Wine Watch and we already have over 100 wine drinking events on the calendar for 2013.  Check out our calendar of events on home page to see all the KILLER wine drinking opportunities that we have coming up over the next few months.

Barolo is one of the world’s most age worthy wines, but there is very little of these older vintage wines available on the open market today. I like to compare these Italian treasures to the great wines of Burgundy, another region that has to deal with harsh conditions with a varietal that is very finicky. Nebbiolo like Pinot Noir only produces great wines in the a few areas of the world. Tonight we will be sampling wines from some of the greatest vintages of the last 30 years: 1964, 1971, 1978, 1982, 1990.  There will be a few small courses sent out to accompany the tasting wines and we will be ordering off the menu for dinner. The fee for this event is $295 all-inclusive, for reservations call 954-523-9463.

Vintage Barolo Tasting at Wine Watch
Friday, February 1, 2013
7:00 PM

Flight one

1964 Giacomo Conterno Barolo

(98 Points) Conterno’s 1964 Barolo presents an incredibly fresh, delicate and perfumed nose that continues seamlessly onto the palate, showing flavors of cherries and spices, and finishing with very sweet, soft tannins. I am at a loss to explain or describe this wine’s extraordinary youthfulness and sheer appeal. This wine is inviting and refreshing beyond words. My impression is of drinking a stunning wine at its absolute peak. Truly exceptional and unforgettable. Made from a blend of grapes the estate purchased from the Ginestra zone in Monforte, and Serralunga.  The Wine Advocate In the Cellar, Apr 2007

1971 Giacomo Conterno Barolo

(94 points)  Conterno's 1971 Barolo offered a more powerful personality, with firmer tannins and greater length than the 1967.  Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, May 2008

Flight Two

1978 Ceretto Barolo Brunate Zonchetta

(92 Points) I was blown away by Ceretto’s 1978 Barolo Brunate Vigneto Zonchetta. I have had great experiences with the estate’s top wines in this vintage, but I honestly wasn’t prepared for the quality of what was in the glass in the Zonchetta, the entry-level Barolo that today is rarely inspiring, to say the least. A picture of grace and elegance, it revealed layers of ethereal dark fruit and spices intermingled with balsamic notes. This feminine, delicate Barolo was by no means profound, but it did show incredible balance and a gorgeous sense of inner harmony. I am tempted to say that Ceretto has rarely matched the heights they reached in 1978. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2013.  The Wine Advocate, In the Cellar Sep 2008

1978 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Riserva Speciale Collina Rionda

(98 Points)  A perfect bottle of the 1978 Barolo Riserva Speciale Collina Rionda brought this rapturous flight to a close in grand style. Still boasting an intense, deep color, the wine literally exploded from the glass with layers of dark fruit, tar, smoke and minerals, all supported by the tannic heft that is so characteristic of this legendary vintage and wine. I am not sure when this monumental, youthful Barolo will be truly ready to drink, but it has always been breathtaking, as it was again on this night.  The Wine Advocate, In the Cellar, May 2008

Flight Three

1982 Giuseppe Mascarello Barolo Monprivato
(94 Points) Mascarello’s 1982 Barolo Monprivato is perfumed and ethereal in the way it literally floats on the palate. Sweet, silky tannins frame a pretty core of fruit as this sublime Barolo opens up in the glass. As beautiful as the wine is, this is not the very finest bottle of the 1982 I have had. Still it is gorgeous, and well-stored examples should deliver much pleasure for at least another decade. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2019.  In the Cellar #1109, Nov 2009

1982 Poderi Rocche Manzoni Valentino Barolo Vigna d'la Roul

Obtained with 100% Nebbiolo grapes from the vineyard located at Manzoni Soprani, this wine is named after the huge oak tree in the middle of the estate. It is ruby red in color; it has a rich and persistent perfume, with violet, withered rose and goudron scents. The palate is full bodied with austere tannins. It is doubtless the most vigorous wine of our range.

Flight Four

1990 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Cascina Franca

(97 Points) The 1990 Barolo Cascina Francia possesses gorgeous richness and transparency, while the weight of Serralunga comes through in spades. Seductive and powerful, this magical Barolo is utterly spellbinding. Today, the 1990 Cascina Francia delivers an incredibly hedonistic Barolo experience that is sure to send readers into a state of near-ecstasy, especially if bottles have been well-stored. Flowers, licorice, anise and dark red fruits linger on the powerful yet ethereal finish. What a beautiful Barolo! Anticipated maturity: 2010-2030.   Wine Advocate #187, Feb 2010

1990 Aldo Conterno Barolo Granbussia

(95 Points) The 1990 Barolo Riserva Granbussia is a ripe, exotic beauty endowed with plenty of tar, roses, licorice and wild herbs. Still spectacularly rich and intense, this full-bodied, layered Barolo offers superb length and a sweeping finish where the glycerin and sheer weight of the vintage come through in spades. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2020.  

These two fabulous Barolos from Aldo Conterno reflect a highly successful period in the estate’s history. The winery, formally known as Poderi Aldo Conterno, traces its history back to 1969 when brothers Aldo and Giovanni Conterno divided their family’s estate in Monforte. Each of the two brothers kept a portion of wines then in bottle, demijohn or cask, which explains the existence of pre-1969 Aldo Conterno bottles. Aldo Conterno has an unusual background for a Piedmontese winemaker of his generation because he lived in the US for a few years in the 1950s. After the passing of his American uncle, Conterno actually spent two years in the US military. Upon his return he most certainly was a changed person. Aldo’s vision had been to make a more accessible style of Barolo than that his family made at the time at their estate (Giacomo Conterno). Aldo’s top Barolo, Granbussia, is a blend of three vineyards; 70% Romirasco, 15% Colonello, 15% Cicala, and is only made in top vintages that present perfect growing conditions in all three sites. The component wines are fermented separately in steel, then aged in cask for three years, prior to being moved into steel for a further two years before bottling. To the best of my knowledge, no other winery leaves their Barolos so long in steel prior to bottling, but Aldo Conterno believes steel helps him keep the wine fresh, much as the demijohn did in a previous era.  Wine Advocate #187, Feb 2010

Menu

Risotto with black truffle and fresh shaved reggiano parmesan

Barolo braised beef shortrib with chocolate sauce and spinach flan

Selection of Cheese:  Epoisses, Beemster Gouda and Reggiano Parmesan

A brief History of Barolo

Barolo has a long history of wine production, the area was named some 400 years ago and probably came from the Celtic brolio or brol, meaning "wood" or "orchard".   The region of Barolo encompasses approximately 3,000 acres of vines situated southwest of the town of Alba, in all or part of 11 communes.  First is La Morra, with nearly one-third of the total acreage.  Following in decreasing order are Serralunga d’alba, Monforte d’Alba, Barolo, and Castiglione Falletto, and parts of six other villages.  One of the most famous and most sought after vineyards in Barolo is Cannubi. 

There are two main valleys in the Barolo production zone: the Barolo Valley to the west, and the Serralunga Valley to the east.  La Morra and Barolo itself are the major villages in the western valley, which also encompasses Cherasco, Novello, Roddi d’Alba, Castiglione Falletto and Monforte are the major towns;  Diano d’Alba and Grinzane Cavour are also included in this district.  There are distinct characteristics that are indigenous to the wines of various area:  the wines of Serralunga Valley have suggestions of licorice and tar, the Barolos of Serralunga itself display camphor and mint; those from Castiglione Falleto have a pronounced licorice characteristic as well as nuances of spice, mint, dried peaches, and prunes; those from Monforte recall spices, mint hazelnuts, and almonds.  The wines from the Barolo Valley bring up underbrush and truffle, as well as licorice.  Those wines from the village of Barolo have less of a licorice character but more suggestions of underbrush, truffles, and mint.  The wines of la Morra, especially those from the slopes, combine nuances of white truffle, mint, tobacco, spices, cherries, and blackberries and those from Cannubi display motes of white truffles, underbrush, raspberries, and black cherries.