Hello all,

I don't drink alcohol but I received a bottle as a gift and don't know what to do with it.

The bottle reads:

2003 Boroli Barolo
(and then something in Italian)

Now, as I understand, I can keep this bottle unopened for a long time if the conditions are right.

My basement is about 50-60 degrees for 300 days a year (winter it dips down to about 45). It's also quite humid and dark (that's what I get for living in a 120 year farmhouse with a dirt-floor basement)

I don't want to toss my gift because it is a gift and someone had to work to buy it (whatever the cost--$10 to $100--it's still money).


I think I should save it just in case I have guests over and they have a liking for vino.

Can anyone tell me about this bottle and whether or not it will be OK down in my dungeon?

Greatly appreciated,

-jg

I can't help you with the wine, but your basement sounds like an acceptable place to keep it.

Most Baroli need years of aging to be their best (and I question if they ever are..but that's me), but I'm being very general here since I'm clueless to your exact wine.

Don't be so worried about it being a gift though...since it couldn't have been a very good friend..since well..they would know you don't drink.

Have a nice dinner party and offer it up to your guests!!

I just did a search for your wine.

Wine Spectator just gave it a score of 87, which is very good, but not excellent. But, this is just one reviewer. Others may RAVE about it. The reviewer says that the fruit is good, and its on the soft side, which will probably appeal to a wide range of people. He also says it should be good to drink, starting in a year or two, so you don't have to wait long to serve it to guests.

A lovely gift, and while I'd normally recommend you invite the giver when it is opened, it'll help him/her save face if they aren't there to realize you're not drinking it.

Antonio Gallons, writing in the October 2007 Wine Advocate, gave the wine 89 points and said this about it:

"Boroli’s 2003 Barolo is a lovely, sleek wine. It is a medium-bodied effort, with a pretty core of fruit, lovely poise and surprising freshness for the vintage. There is nothing exceptional about this wine, but everything is in the right place. It is a terrific effort at this level, and a great choice for near-term drinking. Anticipated maturity: 2007-2013."

Thank you all for your replies.

I will have to assemble some kind of event and invite the same people over. Maybe in 2013