Barolo Wine Tasting with Giacomo Borgogno Winery back to the 1961 Vintage with Special Guest Luca Collia Global Director

 

"Wine can of their wits the wise beguile,

Make the sage frolic, and the serious smile."

Homer, Odyssey

 

This historic winery made big news in the wine world seventeen years ago after just 250 of being owned by the same family the landmark Borgogno winery has been sold.  Family owners Giorgio Boschis and his brother, Cesare, great-nephews of Giacomo Borgogno, say they finalized a deal selling the winery to local entrepreneur Oscar Farinetti and his son, Francesco, in January 2009. Local sources estimate the sale price at around $30 million.

 

Farinetti made his fortune initially with the Trony electronics retail chain and, more recently, with the Eataly Italian food-and-wine outlets in Turin, Milan,Tokyo, Chicago and New York.

 

According to the terms of the sale, the Boschis brothers will continue to oversee production at the winery for the next three years. They each retain a 5 percent interest in the winery for that period. "Nothing is going to change," Giorgio Boschis said. "We retain complete control over the production and will carry on as normal. If we decide to sell the rest of our percentage after three years, the price is already fixed."

 

The sale includes a valuable inventory-around 120,000 bottles of old vintages of the winery's Barolos, from 1961 through 1990. "My uncle, Cesare, built up the bulk of the collection," said Boschis, "during the lean years of the [World War II] and after. We generally keep back around 20 percent of the production in a good vintage and sell [the bottles] a few at a time, mostly to the quality restaurant trade."

 

The Farinettis will make a few changes after the sale, according to Boschis. The winery will only produce wines from its own 49.5 acres of vineyards, including vineyard plots in the top Barolo crus, such as Cannubi, Liste and San Pietro. Consequently, production of the Grignolino d'Asti and the Freisa d'Asti reds, made from bought grapes, will cease. Boschis also said that Farinetti has made a marketing strategy agreement for the United States with his friend, Giorgio Rivetti, owner of La Spinetta in Barbaresco.

 

The winery currently produces around 8,300 cases of wine, including three Barolos: a standard Barolo, a Barolo Classico and the single-vineyard Barolo Liste. The rest of the production includes a Barbera, a Dolcetto, a Nebbiolo d'Alba and a small quantity of the traditional Barolo Chinato (herb-infused Barolo). The 2003 vintage of the Barolos will be released shortly, after the customary five years in the winery.

 

"I guess we were a bit unhappy to see the winery go out of the family," said Boschis. "But the new owner is a very practical person, not just a financier, and we can feel confident about the future."

 

**All wines on this offering have come directly from the cellars of Giacomo Borgogno and thus the prices include the pristine conditions the wines were stored and all the wines over 20 years old have been recorked and tested for their quality.  This is the golden standard when it comes to provenance and there are only a few producers in the world that provide this service today.

 

The fee for this tasting which includes dinner and gratuity is $350 + tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barolo Wine Tasting with Borgogno Winery back to the 1961 Vintage

with Special Guest Luca Collia Global Director

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

7:30 PM

 

2018 Borgogno Barolo Cannubi

2017 Borgogno Barolo Riserva Cannubi

2017 Borgogno Barolo Riserva Liste

2014 Borgogno Barolo Riserva Cannubi

2012 Borgogno Barolo Riserva Liste Piedmont

2011 Borgogno Barolo Riserva Cannubi

2009 Borgogno Barolo Riserva Liste

2005 Borgogno Barolo Riserva

1961 Borgogno Barolo Riserva

 

 

Menu

Selection of Cheese and Charcuterie

Bagna Cauda

Chestnut Agnolotti

Vitello Tonnato

Gianduja Chocolate

 

The fee for this tasting which includes dinner is $350 + Tax, for reservations call 954-523-9463 or e-mail andy@winewatch.com.  Please let us know when you make your reservations if you have any dietary restrictions or food allergies and chefs Toni and Dani will be happy to accommodate you.

 

A bit of history of Giacomo Borgogno Winery:

 

 

Bartolomeo Borgogno founded his winery in 1761; upon his death in 1794 his three sons took over control of the winery, though only one, the youngest, Giacomo, persevered. Giacomo Borgogno had four children: Eugenio Giuseppe, Carlo (who became a priest), Bartolomeo (who died as a teenager) and Marianna.

 

When he was little more than a boy, Eugenio Giuseppe, born in 1827, took over for his father and signed a contract to provide wine to a boarding school for the sons of army officers (Esercito Sabaudo di Racconigi) in 1848. This was the first legal document in which the firm is cited, and, still guarded jealously today, it would play a fundamental role in the company’s more recent history.

 

A very active person, Eugenio Giuseppe was involved in many other activities beside the winery. He had six children; five daughters and a son, Giacomo, born in 1863.

 

In 1861 Borgogno Barolo was served at an official banquet celebrating the unification of Italy. Eugenio Giuseppe Borgogno died on January 26, 1871, and his wife was forced to assign management of the winery to the local parish church’s winery, Il Parroco dell’Annunziata di La Morra. Over time that choice proved to be so disastrous that the 18-year-old Giacomo Borgogno left his studies at Bra to take over management, and put the company’s affairs back in order.

 

Giacomo Borgogno had five children: Maria Luisa, Eugenio, Corrado Natale and Cesare. Maria Louisa died very young, while Eugenio and Corrado left home to pursue other activities. Natale became a professor at the Collegio di Barolo boarding school, though together with his mother Giulia he helped manage the winery while his brother Cesare was still too young.

Cesare Borgogno, the youngest of these children, was born April 28, 1900 and took over management of the winery in 1920, immediately giving it new vitality. For the first time sales of Borgogno went outside national borders!

 

In 1937 Cesare Borgogno married Maria Chiavassa; they had no children, but adopted Maria’s neice, Ida Chiavassa At the end of World War II, the winery underwent a significant transformation thanks to the dynamic personality of Cesare Borgogno, together with his wife, his neice, and her future husband, Franco.

 

Cesare Borgogno conquered the Argentinian market, but after two full years of successful work political situation of that country changed and all relations were severed. Slowly the Italian market grew, as new markets in Europe opened as well. In 1947 Cesare Borgogno appointed Banfi Vintners of New York its exclusive US importer, a relationship that endures to this day and has guaranteed the Borgogno winery a solid and lasting presence in the world market.

 

In 1954 the Borgogno winery and cellars underwent a complete restructuring and expansion. In 1955, a lawsuit filed by the French Institute of Appellations sought to block the further use of the name Borgogno because of its similarity to the French word Bourgogne, for Burgundy. The house was in grave danger, but a clear victory was achieved thanks to the aforementioned document dating to 1848.

 

In 1959 another restructuring was started, which in the course of four years doubled the capacity of the winery.

On October 20, 1967, Cesare Borgogno, who years previosly had been knighted by the Italian government as a "Cavalliere della Repubblica," began a transformed the winery administration and renamed it "Giacomo Borgogno & Figli." However, he was not able to oversee the completion of this corporate transformation before he was stricken by a fatal disease, and passed away on July 7, 1968. His wife Maria Chiavassa Borgogno took over control of the company, assisted by a board composed of Ida Chiavassa Boschis, Franco Boschis, Corrado Borgogno (son of Cesare’s brother) and his wife Maria Luisa Garau. They pursued the transformation of the company, modifying policy by ceasing sales in bulk (which up to that point was the major share of the company’s business) and dedicating production to bottle sales only.

 

In March 1972 at an auction of vintage wines in Turin, a bottle of Borgogno Barolo 1886 was sold for 530,000 lire, a record high price for any bottle of Italian wine. The same vintage had been served many years earlier at a banquet honoring the state visit to Italy of Czar Nicholas 11 Romanov of Russia.

 

In July 1976 Maria Chiavassa Borgogno ceded control of the company to her neice Ida and Ida’s husband, Franco, though Maria continued to play an active role in the company until 1994. Eventually the shares of Corrado Borgogno and Maria Luisa Garau were ceded to the Boschis family as well.

 

In early 1977 the winery underwent yet another expansion, greatly expanding the ageing and storage areas over the course of two years. Gradually the children of Franco and Ida - Cesare, Margherita, Chiara and Giorgio - joined the company, taking an active role in expanding current markets and opening new ones.

 

All the Giacomo Borgogno Wines in the store on SALE!!

 

 

2021 GIACOMO BORGOGNO RIESLING ERA ORA

Price: $53.25                             Your Price: $46.86

(91 Points) Classic Riesling aromas of apricot, white flowers, crushed stone and petrol gently rise from the glass. The wine's texture is a balance between viscosity and acidity giving nuance and depth to the wine as green apple and chalky minerality dominate the flavor profile. Drink now–2040.  Wine Enthusiast - Cellar Selection

2019 BORGOGNO SCALDAPULCE DERTHONA COLLI TORTONESI

Price: $180.00                           Your Price: $158.40

From the experience of the micro-vinifications of our Barolo M.G.A., here the first vinified vineyard in purity of Derthona: Derthona Scaldapulce.

We were the first “foreign Barolists” to land in the Tortonesi Hills. In 2019 we decided not to stop and we wanted to vinify our second Derthona.

From a careful selection of our Timorasso grapes in the 3 hectares in Monleale, in the east part, and at a higher altitude of the historic Scaldapulce vineyard, our first cru of Derthona was born: the Derthona Scaldapulce.

Just like for the Barolo crus.  A reduced production, only on allocation.  The first cru and an infinite new story to write.

Deep gold color with green highlights. It is intense and complex on the nose, with mineral notes. In the mouth, the Derthona Scaldapulce is savory, full bodied, structured and very persistent. A wine that lends itself well to a long aging.

 

 

2023 Giacomo Borgogno Dolcetto D'alba

Price: $34.50                             Your Price: $30.36

Intense ruby red tending to purplish. Vinous, fresh, fruity bouquet of red fruits such as cherry, strawberry. Very pleasant.

 

 

2023 Giacomo Borgogno Freisa

Price: $35.00                             Your Price: $30.80

Ruby red color. Fresh red fruits and spicy hints on the nose. On the mouth dry, with elegant and bitter tannins.

 

2023 Giacomo Borgogno Barbera d'Alba

Price: $42.00                             Your Price: $36.96

From the historic Giacomo Borgogno cellar, the 2023 Barbera d'Alba is a vibrant and accessible expression of the grape, faithful to the estate's classic style. The nose is persistent and fragrant, bursting with fresh notes of red and black fruit, specifically black cherry, raspberry, and plum. It is accented by floral nuances of violet and a subtle spice of anise and black pepper. On the palate, it’s juicy and lively, with a medium-to-full body guided by Barbera's natural, vibrant acidity that lends energy and freshness. The fine, velvety tannins are well-integrated. The finish is clean, savory, and persistent, with a pleasant return of fruit and a mineral note.

 

 

2020 Giacomo Borgogno No Name Magnum

Price: $150.00                           Your Price: $132.00

2022 Giacomo Borgogno No Name

Price: $67.50                             Your Price: $59.40

Ruby red color with purple highlights. Ethereal, persistent with violet, rose, fresh fruits and spicy hints on the nose. A dry, harmonius, velvety, full-bodied wine, austere and generous wine.

 

 

2021 Giacomo Borgogno Barolo DOCG

Price: $96.00                             Your Price: $84.48

(94 Points) "Rose, red berry, camphor and cake spice are just some of the aromas you’ll find on the fragrant and polished Barolo from Borgogno. Made with organically grown grapes, the smooth, juicy palate features ripe Morello cherry, cranberry, star anise and blood orange before finishing on a salted note. Taut, velvety tannins provide seamless support. Drink 2028–2036." 02/25 Kerin O'Keefe, KerinOKeefe.com

 

 

2019 Giacomo Borgogno Barolo Cannubi Riserva

Price: $225.00                           Your Price: $198.00

(98 Points) "The gorgeous Borgogno 2019 Barolo Cannubi reflects the fantastic vintage and showcases the great strides this winery has made over the last decade. Made with organically farmed grapes, it opens with a heady fragrance of dog rose, iris, new leather, forest berry and camphor. It’s delicious and elegantly structured, doling out ripe red cherry, spiced cranberry and star anise balanced by tightly woven, refined tannins and bright acidity. It’s already wonderful but will benefit with more time in the cellar. Drink 2027–2044." 03/23 Kerin O'Keefe, KerinOKeefe.com

 

 

2018 Giacomo Borgogno Barolo Cannubi Riserva

Price: $256.50                           Your Price: $225.72                         Quantity in Stock: 3

The heart of the entire Barolo region, Cannubi originated around 11 million years ago through sedimentation from the Padano sea. It is the most famous and renowned cru of Barolo, mentioned in historical documents that date back to as early as 1700. It has an excellent soil intricacy, formed by large clayey limestone marls and pleasant climate that make this hill one of the most suitable vineyard farming areas in the world. The Barolo from Cannubi has more elegance and longevity than all other Barolo. In this cru the winery owns vineyards that cover around 1.30 hectares, with southern exposure and an altitude that varies from 290 to 320 meters above sea level.

 

 

2018 Giacomo Borgogno Barolo Fossati

Price: $162.75                           Your Price: $143.22

(93 Points) Tart cherry and wild strawberry aromas lift from the glass on the first pass. As the wine opens, violets, savory spice and clove begin to show. Each sniff delivers a new aroma. The palate is mouthfilling yet pops with red currant and sour wild berry flavors that give way to a crushed stone minerality framed by fine tannins. Drink 2028–2045. — Jeff Porter Wine Enthusiast

 

2017 Borgogno Barolo Riserva Cannubi

Price: $325.00                           Your Price: $286.00                         Quantity in Stock: 1

Borgogno is one of the most historic Barolo wines, with a classic style. The most historic vintages, which may show very slight sediment, can be decanted immediately before serving if desired. Slowly. The praise of Slowness, without hurry.

 

2017 Borgogno Barolo Riserva Liste

Price: $226.50                           Your Price: $199.32                         Quantity in Stock: 1

Winery Notes: Borgogno is one of the most historic Barolo wines, with a classic style. The most historic vintages, which may show very slight sediment, can be decanted immediately before serving if desired. Slowly. The praise of Slowness, without hurry.

 

2016 Giacomo Borgogno Barolo DOCG Riserva

Price: $301.50                           Your Price: $265.32

(96 Points) The 2016 Barolo Riserva comes primarily from Liste, with 20% from Fosati and 10% from Cannubi. It’s a ripe red brick color is rich with aromas of dark stones, cherry liqueur, and sappy herbs. Ripe and concentrated, with fresh acidity, it has a weightless feel, ripe, fine tannins, and a clean, mineral/earthy finish. It’s going to drink well over the next 20-30 years.  Jeb Dunnuck

 

2015 Giacomo Borgogno Barolo DOCG Riserva

Price: $259.00                           Your Price: $227.92

Ruby red color with garnet reflections. On the nose, hints of red fruits, like blackberries, and light spiciness reminiscent of black pepper and liquorice, accompanied by notes of incense. A wine characterized by a marked complexity. On the palate a tight sip and persistent tannins. A deep, incisive wine accompanied by a pleasant acidity that gives freshness.

 

2014 Borgogno Barolo Riserva Cannubi

Price: $325.00                           Your Price: $286.00                         Quantity in Stock: 1

Borgogno is one of the most historic Barolo wines, with a classic style. The most historic vintages, which may show very slight sediment, can be decanted immediately before serving if desired. Slowly. The praise of Slowness, without hurry.

2013 Giacomo Borgogno Barolo DOCG Riserva

Price: $461.50                           Your Price: $406.12

(95 points) “Rose, iris, camphor and forest berry aromas mingle with whiffs of pine forest and dark spice. Youthfully austere, and that's a good thing, the firmly structured palate shows wonderful finesse, delivering sour cherry, cranberry and licorice framed in taut, fine-grained tannins and racy acidity. It still needs time, so no rush. Drink 2025–2043.” 09/20 Kerin O’Keefe, Wine Enthusiast

 

2012 Borgogno Barolo DOCG Riserva DOCG

Price: $399.00                           Your Price: $351.12

The 2012 harvest can’t be considered generous in the production, but characterized by an excellent raw material in terms of plant protection. Wines are extraordinarily well balanced. Winter was irregular, with mild temperatures initially. The coldest weather arrived a little later than usual, and the low temperatures which continued throughout the month  February were also accompanied by heavy snowfalls, this contributed to create good water reserves. Spring was cool and rainy between March and April, but temperatures increased considerably in May. The abundance of water combined with high temperatures increased the vegetative growth. Summer was marked by medium-high temperatures, which reached their peak in the second half of August. Nevertheless, no water stress issues were recorded thanks to the important water reserves which were build up during winter and spring. The harvest of the Nebbiolo variety opened in early October, the grapes had a strong ability to provide well-structured wines good for a long aging, although with slightly lower alcohol yields compared with recent years.

 

2012 Borgogno Barolo Riserva Liste Piedmont

Price: $240.00                           Your Price: $211.20                         Quantity in Stock: 4

Winemaker Notes:  Intense garnet red color with orange reflections. Ethereal, persistent, intense "goudron" perfume. Dry, harmonious, velvety, full-bodied, austere and generous taste.

 

2011 Borgogno Barolo Riserva Cannubi

Price: $325.00                           Your Price: $286.00                         Quantity in Stock: 4

Borgogno is one of the most historic Barolo wines, with a classic style. The most historic vintages, which may show very slight sediment, can be decanted immediately before serving if desired. Slowly. The praise of Slowness, without hurry.

 

2009 Borgogno Barolo Riserva Liste

Price: $226.50                           Your Price: $199.32                         Quantity in Stock: 1

Winery Notes: Garnet red color with orange highlights. Barolo Liste Riserva 2009 is a wine that immediately stands out for a compact nose, with olfactory sensations that refer to the world of spices, with hints of medicinal herbs, such as anise, ginger, but also white pepper. On the palate a wine characterized by extreme sweetness, and retronasal sensations with a return of red fruit.

 

2009 Giacomo Borgogno Barolo DOCG Riserva

Price: $399.00                           Your Price: $339.15

(93 Points) "Beautifully balanced, this red evokes cherry, strawberry, licorice, tobacco and mineral flavors. Sweet and salty, with a vibrant finish and a fine yet firm grip on the protracted finish. Almost approachable now. Best from 2018 through 2030. 834 cases made." Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator

 

2008 Giacomo Borgogno Barolo DOCG Riserva

Price: $430.00                           Your Price: $365.50

(94 Points) Traditionally crafted, this opens with classic Nebbiolo aromas of leather, tilled earth, dried rose petal, ripe berry and grilled herb. The ripe palate delivers mature black cherry, crushed raspberry, black pepper and baking spices alongside firm but refined tannins. *Cellar Selection* (KO) Wine Enthusiast, Review Date: 12/2014

 

2007 Giacomo Borgogno Barolo DOCG Riserva

Price: $415.00                           Your Price: $365.20

In the vintages where the weather permits, we select the best grapes from our three most important Cru: Cannubi, Liste and Fossati. Spontaneous fermentation in cement tanks at low temperatures) followed by a submerged cap maceration which, in some cases, could even reach 50 days. Aging in big barrels in Slavonian oak for six years followed by six months of aging in bottle before being released on the market.

Borgogno is one of the most historic Barolo wines, with a classic style. The most historic vintages, which may show very slight sediment, can be decanted immediately before serving if desired. Slowly. The praise of Slowness, without hurry.

 

2006 Giacomo Borgogno Barolo DOCG Riserva

Price: $495.00                           Your Price: $435.60

(94 Points) “The 2006 Barolo Riserva is also impressive with a streamlined and elegant feel enhanced by pretty accents of dried flower, tar, spice, cassis and black pepper. There’s a delicate and mysterious aspect to the wine that keeps your attention focused. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2025." 06/13 Monica Larner, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

 

 

2005 Borgogno Barolo Riserva

Price: $307.50                           Your Price: $270.60                         Quantity in Stock: 1

Harvest: temperate winter followed by a cool spring with few precipitations.  The summer was characterized by hot temperatures followed by cooler weather condition in August. Temperature ranges during the months of September and October helped the accumulation of sugars and aromatic substances in the grape.

 

Winemaking: regular fermentation for 15 days and submerged cap maceration for 30 days; racking off at the middle of November. Aging: six years in Slavonia oak barrels with a further refining in bottle for 6 months.

 

2004 Giacomo Borgogno Barolo DOCG Riserva

Price: $550.00                           Your Price: $484.00

(93 Points) The 2004 Barolo Riserva emerges from the glass with layers of fragrant red berries, flowers and spices. It, too, is representative of the year. Silky tannins frame the perfumed, expressive fruit through to the finish. This is an especially refined style for Borgogno. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2023.  Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

 

2003 Giacomo Borgogno Barolo Riserva DOCG

Price: $415.00                           Your Price: $365.20

(91 Points) "The estate’s 2003 Barolo Riserva is a wine made in the older Borgogno style, which is to say it is quite rustic, and not in the positive sense the term can be applied to some wines. The aromas and flavors are on the forward side. Worn-in leather, tobacco, licorice, tar and spices add complexity to dried cherries and red stone fruits that are already a bit faded. Some of that is a function of the year, but I sense some less than perfectly clean casks here as well. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2020. This is by far the most impressive set of wines I have ever tasted from Borgogno, one of Barolo’s historic houses. The Baroli are terrific, but the biggest improvements may very well be with the entry-level wines, which up until recently were just a little bit better than undrinkable. Now that many of the more traditional producers have been re-discovered, so many of those producers’ entry-level wines have risen in price. The entry-level bottles from Borgogno are great choices for readers who appreciate the more classic side of Piedmont and want to be gentle on the budget. Kudos to proprietor Oscar Farinetti, his son Andrea, and their team. Borgogno may very well turn out to be one of the most remarkable turn-arounds in the history of Barolo. Readers who might have been concerned that the Farinettis would revolutionize the traditional style of the house have nothing to worry about." 10/11  Antonio Galloni, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

 

2001 Giacomo Borgogno Barolo Riserva DOCG

Price: $650.75                           Your Price: $572.66

(93 Points) The 2001 Barolo Riserva is a huge wine. Smoke, camphor, tar, licorice and black fruit are some of the many nuances that emerge from this complex, highly idiosyncratic wine. The 2001 Riserva won’t win any awards for elegance, but it nevertheless impresses for its exuberant fruit and sheer character. There is a certain beauty to the wine’s rusticity and earnestness that is striking. Layers of fruit build to the bruising, intense finish. Anticipated maturity: 2021-2041. (AG)  Wine Advocate, Review Date: 04/2012

 

2000 Giacomo Borgogno Barolo Riserva DOCG

Price: $562.50                           Your Price: $495.00

(93 points) More evolved than the '01 or '99, this offers a complex bouquet of cherry, truffle, licorice, leather and tar, with cherry, licorice spice and tea flavors. Though rich, this presents a firm underlying base of tannins, offset by the sweet aftertaste of fruit, spice and tobacco.--Non-blind Giacomo Borgogno vertical (October 2013). Drink now through 2025. (BS, Web-2013) Wine Spectator

 

1999 Giacomo Borgogno Barolo Riserva DOCG

Price: $666.50                           Your Price: $586.52

Harvest: regular winter with some snowfalls from January to March that helped to stock up water. Settled weather conditions during the spring with some rainfalls and later flowering than the average. Very hot temperatures during a sunny June interrupted by some rainfalls. In August there was an irregular weather: overcast sky and lower temperatures than the average climatic course. Fortunately the weather in September was really good and that helped the grape to mature perfectly with high quality.

Winemaking: regular fermentation and submerged cap maceration; racking off during the first ten days of November. Ageing: six months in stainless steel tanks, two years in concrete vats and two more years in big Slavonian oak barrels. Bottling: June 2004

 

1998 Giacomo Borgogno & Figli Barolo Riserva

Price: $650.75                           Your Price: $572.66

(93 Points) The Borgogno family is one of the dynasties of Barolo and traces its origins in the wine trade back to 1761, making it perhaps the oldest house in the entire zone. The approach, until recently, has been – understandably – ultra-conservative, at times resembling virtual immobility, but things seem to be loosening up in recent years and the Riserva wines are well worth looking for. The 1998 Barolo Classico Riserva, in fact, is outstanding, very sizeable in its expression of the roses, resin, plums, and anisette of Nebbiolo and endowed with a powerhouse palate, very rich but round and velvety as well. The fruit, minerals, and classy tannins of the close, the sweetness and irresistible texture make this one of the essential wines of the 1998 vintage. (DT)  Wine Advocate, Review Date: 08/2005

 

1997 Giacomo Borgogno Barolo Riserva

Price: $547.00                           Your Price: $481.36

Harvest: 1997 was an exceptional vintage in terms of climatic conditions. From January to May there were no precipitations except for some frost that thinned out the production. Variable weather in June, hot weather in July broken by frequent storms. Same weather for the first part of August and then good climatic conditions and hot sun till the end of November. Winemaking: regular fermentation and submerged cap maceration; racking off at the end of September. Ageing: four years in big Slavonian oak barrels. Bottling: May 2002.

 

1996 Giacomo Borgogno Barolo Riserva

Price: $605.00                           Your Price: $532.40

Grape: 100% Nebbiolo Region: Italy> Piedmonte> Barolo> blend of Cannubi, Liste, and Fossati. Notes: Organic farming, 5 years in large Oak barrels.Three of the best Cru vineyards goes into the Riserva (Cannubi, Liste, and Fossati). Description: Founded in 1761, Giacomo Borgogno e Figli is among the oldest names associated with wine in the Langhe region. The legendary Borgogno Barolos are classic in the history of Italian wine, and the estate has an extensive library collection. Barolo Borgogno is one of the oldest Barolo produced following a classic and natural style. These precious bottles will have some sediement and should require a few minutes (not hours) of decanting.

 

1995 Giacomo Borgogno Barolo Riserva

Price: $531.00                           Your Price: $467.28

Masterfully lush. Fruity and not woody, it's just extracted, with a finesse that seems to last for minutes. Polished wine that delivers multi-layered character. It's berry in flavor and medium in bouquet, rooted in raspberry and aged game, layered with hazelnut, honey, botrytis, pineapple, and so on. All of this seemlessly integrates with a feminine yet ethereal finish, resulting in an indestructible personality.

 

1988 Giacomo Borgogno Barolo Riserva DOCG

Price: $1030.00                        Your Price: $906.40

The Giacomo Borgogno Barolo Riserva 1988, from Piedmont, is a distinguished example of traditional Nebbiolo winemaking, crafted by one of Barolo’s oldest houses. This vintage, with its extensive aging in Slavonian oak, presents a refined maturity characterized by notes of dried cherry, rose, and earthy undertones complemented by hints of leather and truffle. This wine's elegance and complexity highlight its Old World style, suitable for those who appreciate classic, age-worthy reds.

 

1985 Giacomo Borgogno Barolo Riserva DOCG

Price: $1177.50                        Your Price: $1036.20

The 1985 Borgogno Barolo has an attractive mid-weight palate with mushroom, white pepper, pipe-tobacco and a savory finish extended by well-resolved tannins.

 

1982 Giacomo Borgogno Barolo Riserva DOCG

Price: $850.00                           Your Price: $748.00

(96 Points) Benefitting from impressive reserves of back vintages, Andrea has opened the 1982 Riserva on a number of occasions and claims it often shows even better than this particular bottle. A great year in Barolo, this is still very much alive, full of chestnut, tobacco, damp earth and meaty scents. It has really fresh acidity and integrated tannins which continue to provide structure after all these years. Fragrant macerated cherries, black tea, exotic spices and tobacco give this '82 Riserva a delightfully elegant, complex character. (JB)  Decanter, Review Date: 03/2022

 

1978 Giacomo Borgogno Barolo Riserva

Price: $1550.00                        Your Price: $1364.00

(95 Points) A long-lived vintage, this 1978 is showing well for its age with its still-fresh acidity and intense yet delicate, savoury flavours of caramelised nuts, dried red berries, cigar, coffee beans and crème brûlée. Red berry sweetness and fine tannins provide balance on the long, gentle finish. Drinking Window: 2022-2032. (3/9/22) Decanter, Review Date: N/A

 

1967 Borgogno Barolo Riserva Piedmont

Price: $2796.00                        Your Price: $2460.48

(90 points) The 1967 Borgogno possesses a captivating and enthralling nose of roses, licorice and menthol you could get lost in. Sadly, this wine is less interesting on the palate, and lacks continuity, definition and fruit to balance the aromatics. Nevertheless, this is an interesting bottle that showcases the Borgogno style in its classic, austere character. The tannins are quite soft, and this is a pretty wine for current consumption. It shows no signs of being tired, and the way Borgognos age, this bottling can easily last another ten or more years. Like all of this house’s library releases, this wine is incredibly fresh and intact considering its 38 years. In theCellar # GXApr 2007

 

1961 Giacomo Borgogno & Figli Barolo Riserva DOCG

Price: $3350.00                        Your Price: $2948.00

(92 Points) The 1961 Barolo Riserva, a library release directly from the Borgogno cellars, offers up plenty of dried cherries, dried roses, licorice and tobacco, all framed by firm, dusty tannins. Despite its mid-weight body and age, the wine shows plenty of depth and fine overall balance. Borgogno offers an incredible range of older vintages. The estate decants these older bottles to remove sediment, tops them off with wine from the same vintage and re-corks the wines prior to selling them. In the past, I haven’t been a huge fan of the library releases because a number of bottles have come across as over-manipulated and exceedingly fresh to the point of delivering little of the mature-Barolo experience readers expect from a 50-year old wine. Not here, though, the 1961 Riserva is simply beautiful from start to finish. (AG)  Vinous, Review Date: 02/2010