Vintage Piedmont Tasting at Wine Watch

“Help yourself to a bottle of wine. They’re all empty.” --Jarod Kintz

This is an event that I have been looking forward to since we had to reschedule it last October.  These old wines from the Piedmont are some of the wine world's true treasures and to be able to put this many of them on the table in one evening is truly a once in a lifetime event!  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 50 years: 1958, 1964, 1971, 1974, 1979, 1982, 1985, 1989 and 1990.   This tasting is limited to 15 tasters, the fee for this event is $250 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463.

Vintage Barolo Tasting at Wine Watch , May 16 7:00 PM

1958 A. Vallana Spanna Traversagna

Sixty years ago, the short list of great Piemontese producers included an interesting name: Antonio Vallana. Based in the Alto Piemonte, the estate was founded by its namesake in 1937.  Vallana reached its zenith in the 1950s, when Antonio's son Bernando was known for making Spannas as great as virtually any Barolo. (Spanna is the name given to the Nebbiolo grape north of the Langhe.)

1964 Franco Fiorina Barolo

Fiorina began bottling their own wines in 1947 and were strictly Old School, practicing a 40- to 45-daycappello sommerso maceration for their Barolo. The wine was also classic in that it was always a meticulous blend of villages: Barolo for backbone, Castiglione Falletto for body and strength, Serralunga for perfume and La Morra for delicacy. The result was a Barolo that stood out for its balance as well as its longevity.  The finest examples of 1958, 1964 and 1971 are to this day profound expressions of classic Barolo.

1971 Barisone Osualdo Torino Barolo

The wine shop Barisone purchased barrels from Francesco Rinaldi and lebeled them to sell as their "House" Barolo

1974 Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo Riserva

This is a classic vintage for the Piedmont from one of the top old school producers still making wine the same way they did in 1974 today.

1979 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Villero De Castiglione Faletto

Villero is a single vineyard in Castiglione Falletto.

1982 Aldo Conterno Barolo Bricco Bussia Vigna Cicala Aldo made one of his first Granbussias from Cicala.

1982 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Santo Stefano di Neive Red label (98 Points) I was simply floored by the 1982 Santo Stefano.  It shows a captivating, totally hypnotizing nose of roses and spices followed by rich sensations of bright red cherry fruit, licorice and menthol, with extraordinary length, purity and overall balance.  At once delicate and powerful, it shows the notable structure of the 1982 vintage and promises to deliver a profound, emotionally moving drinking experience to those fortunate enough to taste it.  An unforgettable wine.  98/drink now-2016  Wine Advocate, In the Cellar, Apr 2007

1985 Aldo Conterno Barolo Bussia Suprano

Aldo Conterno is known as the "King of Barolo" in Italy. Poderi Aldo Conterno is situated in Monforte d'Alba on the prized Bussia Soprano vineyard, in the heart of the Barolo region.

1989 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Santo Stefano di Neive Red label

(98 Points) The 1989 Barbaresco Riserva Santo Stefano explodes from the glass with an array of soy, spices, menthol, minerals and pine in a profound, kaleidoscopic expression of this great, great vineyard. Endowed with never-ending layers of perfumed fruit, the wine reveals mind-bending complexity and a profound personality that words will never do justice to. This remains one of Giacosa’s all-time monumental wines, and it simply must be experienced by anyone who seeks to understand the genius of Bruno Giacosa. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2030. Wine Advocate #187, Feb 2010

1990 Giuseppe Mascarello Barolo Monprivato

(98 Points) The 1990 Barolo Monprivato is every bit as exceptional as the 1989. Rich, sweet and intense, the wine flows onto the palate with an opulent, caressing core of perfumed fruit. The 1990 is slightly more forward than the 1989, but for this typically long-lived wine that isn't such a bad thing. The 1990 is an especially opulent Monprivato that caresses the palate with endless layers of sweet, perfumed fruit. Some Monprivatos make you think?.this isn't one of them, it is pure pleasure from start to finish. A third bottle, tasted at the home of Robert Parker, conquered Barolo fan and novice alike, showing that the world's great wines are great precisely because they are able to bridge the gap between tasters with dramatically different palates. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2025.  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.