Giacomo Conterno
Riserva Monfortino Barolo Nebbiolo
Barolo, Cuneo, Piedmont, Italy
I noticed that there were a few droplets forming at the end of the capsule so pulled this out of the cabinet to serve a few days later. Sow-oxed for four hours and decanted just before serving. I poured 2/5 (pure, with absolutely no sediment) into one decanter and 2/5 into another (when traces of fine sediment had reached the neck). I poured he final 1/5 (dregs and all) into a glass and covered it over with a plate (to revisit a week later once the sediment settled again).
A very special wine. Strange to think that the grapes were harvested in the middle of WWII! It was incredibly pale - so much so that it would have been difficult to tell whether or not it was and old white or red by the colour alone. The nose was intoxicating; a surreal but heavenly mix of fresh toffee, prunes, dates, and figs, with a touch of sous bois and fresh field mushrooms, with a (not unpleasant) hint of VA; the acidity was prominent but elegantly cutting through the velvety tapestry of a palate, layered with expanding patterns of intricately carved flavours. Very long and satisfying, though perhaps ever so slightly unfocused - a Mid Shoulder level so perhaps not a perfect bottle.
A week later the sediment in the spare glass had settled completely so I poured into another glass. Despite a week's ox exposure it showed no signs I flagging. In fact it might even have been better than it was when opened. A true testament to the immortality of old-fashioned barolo!
I noticed that there were a few droplets forming at the end of the capsule so pulled this out of the cabinet to serve a few days later. Sow-oxed for four hours and decanted just before serving. I poured 2/5 (pure, with absolutely no sediment) into one decanter and 2/5 into another (when traces of fine sediment had reached the neck). I poured he final 1/5 (dregs and all) into a glass and covered it over with a plate (to revisit a week later once the sediment settled again).
A very special wine. Strange to think that the grapes were harvested in the middle of WWII! It was incredibly pale - so much so that it would have been difficult to tell whether or not it was and old white or red by the colour alone. The nose was intoxicating; a surreal but heavenly mix of fresh toffee, prunes, dates, and figs, with a touch of sous bois and fresh field mushrooms, with a (not unpleasant) hint of VA; the acidity was prominent but elegantly cutting through the velvety tapestry of a palate, layered with expanding patterns of intricately carved flavours. Very long and satisfying, though perhaps ever so slightly unfocused - a Mid Shoulder level so perhaps not a perfect bottle.
A week later the sediment in the spare glass had settled completely so I poured into another glass. Despite a week's ox exposure it showed no signs I flagging. In fact it might even have been better than it was when opened. A true testament to the immortality of old-fashioned barolo!
Robin had this 10 years ago
Robin had this 10 years ago
Feb 12th, 2015Matthew had this 10 years ago
Matthew had this 10 years ago
Jan 18th, 2015
