San Giuseppe

Giuseppe Cortese

Rabajà Barbaresco Nebbiolo 1997

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.
— a month ago

Andrew, Ming and 14 others liked this
Andrew Cullimore

Andrew Cullimore Premium Badge

Well done @Jay Kline ! Blind tasting isn’t easy , but a fun and frankly essential part of learning and enjoying wine … your reasoning here seems spot on , and you made it sound so simple!
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Andrew Cullimore thank you! I keep learning and loving the process.

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