Sandtam,

I don't know exactly for how long. I expect it was open for about 2-3 hours. Not decanted, still in the bottle.
To give you the full picture:
We decided to have diner at the Barbi restaurant during a wine trip to Montalcino earlier this year. We started with the Birbone Toscana (an IGT from Barbi) which was the very last bottle they had available. After this we decided to try the '99 riserva. Later in the evening, all other customers had left, we saw some bottles with still some wine left in it. We just asked if we could taste some of it. Thats how I came to compare the '99 riserva with the '97.

Thanks again. I am turning 45 next week, and I just might bust this one open. I actually bought this in Tuscany in a tiny hill town called Civitella in val de Chiani (spelling?). So it has a little sentimental value, but sounds like it may not last until my 50th so . . .
If I do drink it, I will post my impressions.

Finally had this over the weekend.

Opened on day one in the A.M., poured out enough wine into glass to get fill in bottle down to bottom of shoulder, cork back in and re-opened about 8 hours later.

First try: very tart and thin (80 points)

Next night: gaining some weight nicely, fruit still very tart, not looking good (82-83 pts.)

Third night: after vac-u-vin'ing this again, I wasn't too confident, almost ready to write this one off, but the wine has taken on a very weighty silky texture, and the fruit has really come on. I almost get a bit of earth in there. The finish is lovely and definitely this wine has quality. Although the tannins were quickly disappearing by the second glass, I am really enjoying this wine 90 points.

Take what you wish from the remarks, but if I had another bottle, I would probably open it in about 3 years, or go for a long decant and finish it that night.

Hope that helps.

Opened my last bottle (one was corked) of this on Friday night. I didn't write any notes, but really liked it. So well balanced with a beautiful nose. Drink, or hold if you like wines softer.

Decanted for 1 hour. Ruby in color with some bricking at the rim. Nice nose of leather and allspice. Rather disappointing on the palate. Very little fruit left. Very acidic with a hint of red cherries. Short finish. I would have to say that this wine was not what I expected. With the lack of fruit it seemed over the hill. 82 points.

LB sorry to hear that this one was dissapointing.
Did you save anything to try again today? I'm curious to know if it has come back to live again.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Jochems:
LB sorry to hear that this one was dissapointing.
Did you save anything to try again today? I'm curious to know if it has come back to live again.[/QUOT

Unfortunately no. I had it in a restaurant. It did not appear the wine was flawed, just dead. It would have been interesting to see if it evolved with more air but my inclination is to say it would not have changed for the better.

Longboarder, possible the restaurant didn't store it properly? That bottle sounds quite different than the one I had a mere 6 months ago. Mine was bought on release and stored in my cellar.

quote:

Originally posted by steve8:
Longboarder, possible the restaurant didn't store it properly? That bottle sounds quite different than the one I had a mere 6 months ago. Mine was bought on release and stored in my cellar.

Steve8 - Quite possibly but it didn't taste cooked or flawed. Hey, that's why they say there are no great wines, only great bottles. I am a fan of Barbi BdM. At the '95 BdM OL in Philly last April, I thought the Barbi Riserva was the WOTN.

Decanted 30 minutes before tasting. Enticing aromas of sweet cherry pie, leather, earthy spices, and charcoal. Medium-full bodied, refined, sophisticated. Tannins fully resolved. Could be mistaken for a fully mature right bank bordeaux from a ripe vintage. Wonderful. 91 points.