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WINE TASTING SAT. NOV. 12, 2-5pm -- PIEDMONT II: BAROLO
Featuring six Barolos from 2000, 2001 and 1999

BAROLO, the most renowned appellation of Italy’s PIEDMONT region, is home to one of the world’s great wines. Barolo is legendary as a powerful, long-lived wine, one that traditionally was passed down to grandchildren. However, improved vineyard practices resulting in lower yields and richer fruit have made Barolo enjoyable earlier, while maintaining its unique character and aging potential. Like Barbareso, Barolo is made from 100% Nebbiolo, and along with Barbaresco, is considered to be the greatest expression of this noble grape. Barolo is characterized by captivating, complex aromas, richly nuanced fruit, gripping yet refined tannins, remarkable intensity, and exceptional aging potential. Barolo’s more complex and refined characteristics emerge over time, and most classic examples easily age for 40 years or more. (Photo: Ravera di Novello viewed from the Cogno estate)

String of Great Piedmont Vintages, 1996-2001
While much has been made of the 2000 vintage, these six consecutive vintages-- 1996-2001-- are all outstanding, with some differing characteristics. In general, 1997, 1998 and 2000 were warmer years resulting in riper fruit with lower acidity – they will mature sooner and offer pleasurable drinking earlier, with less aging potential.  1996, 1999 and 2001 are more classic, balanced vintages with more complexity and better aging potential. To drink or to hold, Barolo offers something for everyone.

2000 BROVIA BAROLO “CA’ MIA” THREE GLASSES AWARD $68

Brovia’s philosophy is to create Barolos with distinct personality, Barolos that faithfully reflect the richness of the great Langhe vineyards. Daughters Elena and Cristina have joined father Giacinto, and continue with a more traditional approach to winemaking. Eric Broege visited the estate in April and tasted through the cru bottlings. 2000 Barolo Ca’Mia, from the famed Serralunga vineyard, stood out with the strongest character. “Aromas of tar and earth. Deep, dark fruit, sappy with great grip; ripe and sweet tannins.” “The 2000 Barolo Ca Mia is from a vineyard in Serralunga d’Alba and the wine, predictably, is rich and powerful, penetrating and tarry on the nose and with abundant flavors of cherry and plum fruit, anisette, and dried flowers. Drink: 2005-2020.”—R. Parker

2000 AZELIA BAROLO “BRICCO FIASCO” $70
In the Castiglione Falletto area, Luigi Scavino and wife Lorella use a non-traditional blend of barrique and large casks to age their Barolos.  “Aged in 35% new barrique, the 2000 Bricco Fiasco has concentrated inky color, a vibrant nose with generous, persistent aromas of wild berries, plums and tobacco melding perfectly with the wood. A strikingly powerful but incredibly stylish palate shows perfectly balanced smoothness and acidity, and very long lingering aromas.”—Gambero Rosso

“The nose of this wine evokes crushed Nebbiolo with hints of fresh flowers and Indian spices. Full-bodied, with incredibly round, soft tannins. Long, velvety finish. Voluptuous. Azelia has come into its own. Serve this to the nonbelievers. Best after 2008. Highly Recommended.” –Wine Spectator                                                                     

2000 GIUSEPPE MASCARELLO BAROLO “MONPRIVATO” $75 In tasting with Mauro Mascarello in Italy last spring, we were impressed with the extremely fine and elegant quality of their Barolos. They represent the traditional style of Barolo, from the light garnet color to the fine-grained tannins and lovely aromatics. These Barolos evoke comparisons to Burgundy pinot noir in their refinement and elegance. “The 2000 Barolo Monprivato, from an historic vineyard solely owned by Mascarello, is powerful and focused on the nose, smoky, tarry, and floral, large in scale and depth, and with a lengthy, authoritative finish which brings out the ripeness and fullness of the fruit. Drink: 2005-2015.” –R. Parker
“Captivating aromas of red cherry, redcurrant, dried rose and flint. Juicy, tight and penetrating, with strong acids giving the flavors superb definition. Not particularly fleshy now but wonderfully aromatic and complex.”-- Stephen Tanzer

2001 ELVIO COGNO BAROLO “RAVERA” Three Glasses Award 2006 $75 Eric had the opportunity to taste with Walter Fissore at COGNO (cone-yo) in both spring and fall 2005. It’s very exciting to see Walter and his wife Nadia finally achieving recognition for their hard work in reviving the historic vineyards at Ravera di Novello. His newly renovated estate, perched on a crag overlooking the magnificent Ravera vineyards, offers a stunning 360 degree panorama. About his 2001 Barolo “Ravera,” winner of Gambero Rosso’s Three Glasses, Walter says: “Best wine I’ve made with respect to terroir and the tradition of Nebbiolo. Very few wines give such a great and memorable emotion.” (Photo: Walter Fissore of Cogno)

“A wine with a rich and decadent fruit structure and a spice, meat and cedar undertone. Full-bodied, velvety and long. It goes on and on. Best after 2008.” – Wine Spectator

2000 ODDERO BAROLO Rocche di Castiglione Falletto $59  Founded in 1878, the Oddero brothers run this sizable estate with 50+ hectares under vine across some of the finest vineyards in Barolo DOCG. “This estate, one of the biggest names in Langhe wine, triumphed again with a range of rich, complex wines of outstanding overall quality. The 2000 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione is a concentrated garnet color with a complex nose of dried flowers, violet, tobacco and licorice. “This is very plummy with lots of tea and cedar character. Full-bodied, round and fresh, with silky tannins and a chocolaty finish. Delicious already. But give this some bottle age. Best after 2006. 360 cases made.”- Wine Spectator

1999 MARZIANO ABBONA BAROLO “PRESSENDA” $55 VINTAGES EXCLUSIVE  The family-run winery encompasses 27 hectares in Monforte, Novello and Barbaresco in addition to 25 hectares in Dogliani. Eric tasted the 1999 Barolo “Pressenda” with Mara and Chiara Abbona and was very impressed with its beautiful aromas, and elegant, lilting style. 1999 is consid ered a classic vintage that will reveal its nuanced complexity over time. “Impressive. Smoky and tarry on the nose, intense and penetrating, it is admirably rich, deep, and spicy on the palate. Drink now-2022”--R. Parker (photo: Marziano Abbona)

Vino Bianco
2004 ELVIO COGNO NAS-CETTA  $25
A’nascetta is a rare, indigenous varietal from Piedmont thought to be related to vermentino from Sardinia. During our visit to the Cogno estate in September, Walter Fissore and wife Nadia treated us to a taste of this lovely white wine, aged 7 months on the lees; quite aromatic and fresh, it offers viognier-like white flowers on the nose and pit-fruit flavors on the palate with underlying minerality that gives the wine complexity and structure. Another surprising white from Piedmont! (Photo: Walter Fissore & Nadia Cogno with Eric Broege)

*WINE DINNER at OLEANA, Monday, Dec. 5, 7pm
"Some like it hot! Sicily & Southern Italy"
Estimated price $125 per person, inclusive. More details to come... Call or email to reserve. 978-369-2545

At this dinner we'll be heating it up with a taste of exceptional food and wine from Italy’s more southern climes. After her culinary tour of Sicily, chef Ana Sortun will design a menu inspired by the aromas and flavors unique to this island's culture. Featured wines will include some of the most exciting and distinctive artisanal wines from Sicily, Campania, Lazio, and Puglia, drawing on the area’s ancient wine history and distinctive grape varieties.

cheers!

Eric & Carolyn
VINTAGES-Adventures in Wine
53 Commonwealth Ave. West Concord, MA
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