Presented double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a slightly hazy garnet color with a translucent core and some rim variation; medium+ viscosity with no staining of the tears and light signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous, with notes of ripe and desiccated red fruit: Morello cherry, dried roses, tar, tobacco, leather, gravelly earth, and exotic spices. On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose where the fruit showed quite a bit of power. The finish is long. Alcohol is elevated but calling it medium+. This is delicious.
Initial conclusion: this could be Nebbiolo, Sangiovese, Granache or Pinot Noir from Italy, France or Spain. Because the tannins were absolutely ripping, and there was no staining, I was leaning Nebbiolo. Additionally, the secondary characteristics along with a strong core of fruit had me thinking this was close to 30 years old from a solar vintage. So I called Nebbiolo, from Italy, from Piemonte, Barolo from a traditional-leaning producer, 1997. Well, I can’t get too upset with my call! Really tasty stuff. Drink now through 2032. — 6 months ago
I might have had three glasses of this before I realized others at the table might want some of it. — 9 months ago
Crisp, tight dark red fruit that initially hid the earthy, forest floor flavors. It ultimately all integrated nicely in about an hour. Always an interesting ride with a Barolo. This one was 12 years old so we thought we didn’t need to decant….had to be patient instead. — 10 months ago
Darker colour than the 2018 Langhe Nebbiolo tried earlier in the week. A little more rustic and less expressive on the palate but remains true to Piedemont with rose and cherry flavours and appealing texture. New grape variety for me which is interesting. Lower price point so accessible entry to the Rinaldi style which I’m currently thinking is similar to Bartolo but a less little less savoury. — 5 years ago
An experience. Intense morello and crimson fruit with lithe structure and a mushroomy edge. Memorable meal. — 4 months ago
No formal notes . This showed really well from the off . Nice ruby garnet colour with an aromatic nose of red fruits , porcini , rose notes . On the palate really elegant and wonderfully poised with lots of red fruits , porcini and saline , tar stained finish . Polished tannins and good freshness , really long finish. Showing well now though no rush, will probably continue at this high level for a further decade . — 5 months ago
Brought to dinner, opened and poured into a decanter just prior to service; enjoyed over the course of 90min. This was my last bottle of the 1994 Rosso del Bepi and I found it to be similarly sensational to the previous bottle that was enjoyed a couple years prior. The wine pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with a mix of ripe, tart and desiccated black fruit: brambles, pomegranate, Montmorency cherry, plums, spiced meat, ginger, old leather, dried flowers and just a kiss of VA. On the palate, the wine is dry (technically) though there’s some obvious residual sugar; medium tannin (integrated) and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. This finish is long. As I stated earlier, another outstanding showing. Drink now through 2030. — 9 months ago
There is amazing balance in these wines. A certain lightness despite 16.5 alcohol which is a testimony to the greatness of the producer. Takes time to open and would benefit from a further aging after 11 years. Great spices and black fruit, full bodied. — 10 months ago
Do not drink a lot of Barbaresco. however this came across very well with fruits and tannins still doing their job. think it has a few more years left in it — 4 years ago
prefer the rosso a bit younger. nothing wrong here tho. fully secondary. — 5 years ago
A serious balsamicy bottling that needs air and food. Critically hard to beat. — 5 months ago
Grupo caceria argentina — 5 months ago
Excellent zin. Brought back after we visited. One of my favorite California Zins. — 6 months ago
Extremely enjoyable, great substitute when you don’t want to pay 4x for the Barolo. Plenty of depth and intrigue here. Pleasure. — 10 months ago
1999: Yeah. Outstanding 25-year old Barolo still an explosion of Nebbiolo flavor. Brick color but plenty of depth, with strawberry fruit well-balanced by typical leather and tar. A treat now, and wouldn’t wait any longer. — a year ago
Jeremy Shanker
Sommelier at RN74
The BEST freisa — 3 months ago