This was a recent import from Italy. It had about 4 days of rest in the cellar before I opened one, and I'm guessing that may not have been quite enough time to settle down. Showing very young for 61 years of age. Ruby in color with slight ambering throughout. No signs of seepage. Lovely notes of rose petal, copper penny, orange peel, tobacco, cassis, smoke and light soy. Great glycerin filled midsection, concentrated, and very light on it's feet all at once. Elegant and nuanced, yet sturdy and showing great uplifting acidity. Long finish. This was best after 1-2 hours of decanting. 94 pts.
So much wine.....so little time!!!
Posts: 5976 | Location: San Francisco | Registered: Jun 20, 2002
You know, you really have got to stop drinking wines when they're too young, it's a colossal waste. The best bottle of Borgogno Riserva I ever had was the 1872.
Originally posted by Mezzo Litro: I thought bottles with this much age should not be decanted. I imagine Futronic fainted shortly after reading your TN.
A wine with this much age can need some time to express itself. It's been bottled up for so long that it might take some time to open up. Personally, however, I prefer to pour the wine carefully down to the shoulder, then let it breathe, uncorked in the cellar for a period of time. Then you can gently decant off the sediment before serving. Barolo and Barbaresco can generally withstand decanting, however, as the nose isn't as fickle/delicate as Brunello.
Fut, whenever I read your posts, I hear violins playing softly in the background. You sure capture the moment when it comes to wop wines. (applause...roses being tossed...applause).
______________________________ Leave the gun...take the cannoli.
Originally posted by Mezzo Litro: Fut, whenever I read your posts, I hear violins playing softly in the background. You sure capture the moment when it comes to wop wines. (applause...roses being tossed...applause).
I thought bottles with this much age should not be decanted. I imagine Futronic fainted shortly after reading your TN.
Actually...this was recommended to me by Eric White who has significant experience with older Borgogno, and this wine in particular. Maybe he can chime in here to give more insight into this great producer and this amazing vintage.
So much wine.....so little time!!!
Posts: 5976 | Location: San Francisco | Registered: Jun 20, 2002
Ah yes, one of my all time favorite old Barolos, this is one very fine wine. I've opened probably 4 or 5 bottles of the '47 now, and it has yet to disappoint. The wine definitely benefits from some air. The treatment I typically use is to "slow-O" the wine by removing the cork early in the day and just letting it rest until evening, at which point I will decant off sediment and, if transporting to a restaurant, rinse the bottle and pour the wine back in for service up to a few hours later. If not transporting, then just serve from the decanter, enjoy and watch the wine develop over the next couple hours.
It never ceases to amaze me how resilient these old Barolo and Barbaresco are. Contrary to what you would normally think, these wines not only do not fall apart quickly, the definitely improve with air over time. For me, I have Thomas Browne to thank for this - without his guidance I would never have had the nerve to treat these old beauties in this (proper) way.
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Posts: 4345 | Location: San Ramon, California | Registered: May 07, 2002
Originally posted by Board-O: I've had a different experience with these wines. I've had maybe ten different vintages dating back to the 1953 and never one I'd buy again.
And that explains why dr.darkrichandbold was able to recently import some from Italy.
FWIW....I picked this up because it received glorious reviews from various posters mostly on ebob. It seems to widely be considered one of Borgogno's greatest wines, and from one of the greatest years for wine period! These bottles came directly out of a cellar in Italy where they have been since release. Of all the notes I've read mine is the least praiseworthy! Here are some threads:
Originally posted by dr.darkrichandbold: I wouldn't be surprised to see Board-O downplay anything I post on, so I wouldn't rush into any conclusions there Bill@IA.
Do a search. I've said this several times, long before you posted on it.
Just one more sip.
Posts: 22479 | Location: NY | Registered: Oct 18, 2001
Do a search. I've said this several times, long before you posted on it.
Fair enough...as I look back I realize you were commenting on vintages back to '53 and not this particular vintage. I don't doubt they could have been poor. From what I've read there are only a few Borgogno's that have stood out over time, and the '47 happens to be one of them.
So much wine.....so little time!!!
Posts: 5976 | Location: San Francisco | Registered: Jun 20, 2002
Originally posted by dr.darkrichandbold: From what I've read there are only a few Borgogno's that have stood out over time, and the '47 happens to be one of them.
Well, there are others as well , such as 52, 55, 58, 61, 64 - all wonderful wines, and I'll let you know about the '37 very soon
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Eric White,
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Posts: 4345 | Location: San Ramon, California | Registered: May 07, 2002
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