Barbaresco Battle Royal

Barbaresco Battle Royal – Episode #527

August 26, 2008

Gary’s wine of choice is often the overlooked Barbaresco, today Gary tries 3 Barbaresco’s and sees what these awesome Italian red wines have to offer him!

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Comments on this episode(147) Leave a comment ›

“QOTD: Ceretto Zonchera (Barolo) 2004, first nebbiolo i’ve had and too …” by richardvinifera
“Barbaresco and Barolo Reservas must be aged for 5 years in oak. Not 4….” by chris
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Wines tasted in this episode:

2004 Icardi Barbaresco MontubertBarbaresco
2004 Paitin Barbaresco Sori PaitinBarbaresco
2005 Rocca Bric Ronchi BarbarescoBarbaresco

Links mentioned in todays episode.

The Thunder Cruise

147 Responses

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August 27, 2008

Murso
And speaking of large format, back in ‘92 after my final day, ending six years at a prominent jazz club, I took my band mates to a remarkable performance at Oberlin, then returned to the club to enjoy a 3-Litre of 1970 Barolo, Borgogno, which had been available for some years. I couldn’t believe that all these doctors, yuppies and professionals weren’t prepared to take advantage of the ridiculously reasonable price for the taking. My employer was a major patron of the arts, and would endow that possibility for customers to really enjoy themselves- just as GV professes- share the love. Several glasses were poured for my formerly regular customers, and the whole place looked on as me and some art school friends laughed from deep in our hearts, and picked at calimari, mushrooms, and mussels. Living well, they say, is the best revenge.
August 27, 2008

wayno da wino
QOTD: The last two Nebbiolos I had were back in December 2003:
Prunotto Cannubi Barolo 1989 (29 bones)- “woody, weedy, gamey
black fruit flavors, OK”
Rinaldi Riserva Brunate Barolo 1989 (42 bones)- “woody, skanky,
tart, tannic black fruit flavors….$42 for THIS ?????”
August 27, 2008

Murso
While for about ten years, now, I’ve recommended Nebioli from the former corner of Barbaresco now delineated as simply ‘Langhe’, and drink ,in that realm for about $20 (Fontanabianca, Nada) the last I’d had of great import was 1990 Giacosa Barbaresco Riserva, Santo Stefano Red Label, about 3 years ago. An extrordinary(and legendary) wine, universally praised from a remarkable vintage, This dream was only realized through the generosity of a client visiting from out of town, who’d done the research to find that specific bottle was at a wonderfully unassuming little ristorante which I was familiar with. (Shout out , and mille grazie to Robert Fatica and Primo Vino in Cleveland’s Little Italy. While I’d worked at a few fancy places ‘up on the hill’, his tireless efforts and humble demeanor make him the top man on the hill! Incredible Italian wine library, and lots done in large format.). The wine was every bit as unctious, subtle, yet regally grande, as the food we had with it. I remember that, though it was only the two of us, that bottle was CRUSHED, and though we lingered over it’s intoxicatingly expansive nose, we could not resist the continual pull on our glasses. Minimum of 94-95 points.
August 27, 2008

JR Moreau
Get away from the corn syrup! Whole Foods has some pretty good and well priced sodas made from sugar cane. Replacement?

I love these wines. I’ve got 6 of the same type in my basement. I’m afraid to drink them since the last time I popped one, the tannins kicked my ass. I’m putting them away for a long time.

QOTD: I had a Barollo recently that was a solid 89 points. Pretty big body, round mouth feel and delicious fruit. Not as tannic as these monsters you reviewed.
August 27, 2008

Lawrence Leichtman
One question, when you noted the whiff of barnyard that blew off. Was that Brett?
August 27, 2008

PSPatrick
QOTD: Two weeks ago my girlfriend and I enjoyed a bottle of “Produttori del Barbaresco, Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà 2000″

We drank this bottle over two evenings. Initially, the nose and palate were dominated by the alcohol and it took the wine at least three hours in the decanter to get around the alcohol. On day two, however, the alcohol was not noticeable at all.

The wine showed nice floral characteristics on the nose and palate, with cherry, dark fruits and herbs. Over time the wine got more and more balanced and finally was very smooth the second evening, with fine tannins, good acidity and good length. You cold tell that this wine has great complexity, but I got the impression that it was unable to show its best characteristics that weekend. This could be a real beauty in a couple of years and I will not open another bottle for at least two years. For the time being: 89+ points.
August 27, 2008

Alfredhayes
Question OTD: umm.. What is this Nebbiollo you speak of? I’ll have to try one.

Quote OTD: “Where am I? Oh, in puckerville.”
August 27, 2008

George
Great show!!! Never tried a Barbaresco,will now. Keep the thunder coming!
August 27, 2008

Bobby
The last nebbiolo I had was from Produttori del Barbaresco Langhe region 06′. It was a very nice value at 21 bones
August 27, 2008

LauraG
Forgot to score . 91 pts.
August 27, 2008

LauraG
Back from vacation and trying to catch up on episodes…

QOTD: 2004 Pio Cesare Barolo. Powerful, full-bodied, massive blackberry, with earthy notes and a hint of wood. Very long finish, great balance. Still a bit young – probably best to lie down for a few years. Guessing it will be pretty long-lived.
August 27, 2008

Chris
Great show !

QOTD: The barbaresco 2004 from Gaja. It was really great! I would easily give it 94 pts.
August 27, 2008

M
I have 2005 and 2006 Serra Boella, Paitin, Barbera D’Alba in the cellar but I haven’t tried them yet. They were recommended to me.
August 27, 2008

Sonnenuhr
Great show – just love these wines and they are great values.

QOTD: Two weeks ago I had a 1961 Borgogno Barolo Riserva: Without a doubt this was among the very best wines I’ve ever tasted. Port-like nose. Lots of fruit (cherry) left and a fresh, lively finish that just went on and on. Got another one in the Eurocave for 2011! Barolo and Barbaresco wines from good vintages are built to last.
August 27, 2008

joris
my last nebiolo was al the years from the barollo from the wine house germano etore.
August 27, 2008

CB Lukens
GV – Good stuff. It’s been too long, and I often feel priced out. But your show today is begging me to revisit…
August 27, 2008

medo
QOTD:

It was the 2003 Dezzani Barbaresco at a tasting in a wine shop. I found it quite decent and would score it aound 88/89 pts.
August 27, 2008

Mighty Oregon
QOTD: Most recent was a 2004 Sandrone ‘Valmaggiore’ Langhe Nebbiolo. Better than most entry level Barolo’s and Barbaresco’s in my opinion. Little new world. Big black fruit, nice round tannins, still a little stinky Italian thing going on aromatically. 91+.

Kellen Clemens = best back up in the league. Go Ducks!
August 27, 2008

Phil G
qotd – i’m sorry to say it has been awhile (years) since i’ve had a nebbiolo based wine… not for long (i hope).
August 26, 2008

Paul V
QOTD: Yet another varietal I need to try. Excellent!

Great show, keep up the great work
August 26, 2008

pawncop
Very good show.

QOTD – Have only had one Nebbiolo, was at a Italian dinner with my daughter and son in law, cannot recall the name of the wine or the place but both were very good. I find if I do not write the notes immediately I cannot recall specifics. I did find it was well paired with a Tucscan beef medallion entree and grilled veggies.
August 26, 2008

Bobby Bo
And the big sleeve means an Army win in 08. Go Army, Beat Navy!
August 26, 2008

JoeD.
QOTD: 2000 Aldo Conterno Cicala Barolo, and a 2004 La Spinetta Barbaresco Starderi. (same night, 2 weeks ago)

Tasting Notes:
2004 La Spinetta Barbaresco Starderi – Medium Body, Aromas of Chocolate, Raspberry, Licorice, Floral, and some nice oak showing. Finish was Very long but slightly bitter. I would say this needs a few more years in the cellar.

2000 Aldo Conterno Cicala Barolo – Medium body, with a nice burnt color. Strawberry, Rasberry, Truffles, and rose, but very acidic. Big Tannins and lots of acidity showing. Still needs time.

Slightly disappointed on both.
August 26, 2008

amgryger
QOTD: Love nebbiolo. Just had a Langhe on Friday night. ‘05 Cascina Morassino. Excellent qpr.
August 26, 2008

Bobby Bo
Great show! Sporting the Big Beat Navy shirt and thundering in with some great Peidmonte buys. Dont forget about the vintage, its all about 04 in Barbaresco and Barolo. I know the last Peidmonte wine I had was a Barbera, not bad, but love the Dolcettos more. All my Barolos are still waiting in the cellar, maybe next year.