I've gotten to know a little about Bordeaux, Burgundy, and Brunello, and I have some Barolo set aside, but I want to know if trying this wine on release is alright, or is putting it away is preferred (or mandatory). Also does this wine have a sleep phase? Am I able to test it anytime during its development?
It was during this post that I realized over 90% of my collection starts with B.
Thanks for the replies.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: sandtam,

I am not an expert on Baroli, but I always try one bottle of wine on release. It is the only way I'll see if I like it.
If you don't like it young, you won't like it old.
Where have I heard that before??
Anyways, you should always try one bottle of wine on release.

Good call, I'm going to get one out on the weekend. My biggest fear is I add another must have wine to my yearly shopping.

In the words of Obee Wan Kenobee
"Use the corks, Luc"
You probably heard that one before. It sounded so much funnier in my head.

Thanks for the advice, cheers.

You may or may not like Barolo, but in almost all vintages you will not like it young. You also will not get the full Barolo "effect" drinking it young. Quality Barolo is one wine that is always better aged. If you are unsure about buying any I would recommend trying an aged one first. That is the only way to get to know real Barolo.

classicly, Barolo should not be consumed for at least 10 years. I suppose testing a bottle early isn't that horrible, but if you only have one bottle of a particular Barolo, then I'd hang on to it.

I have 2 bottles of STEFANO FARINA 2001, which I believe got a 92 from WS. They were all of $42 cdn. I may sacrifice one at this point to see what I think, as I am looking at possibly picking up some Pio Cesare 2001 in the near future.
I would think that a long decant is in order. About 6 hours?
Anyhow, the curiousity is killing me a little, and if I'm wrong, it's not the end of the world.

Leave your 2001's alone. Go find a 1995. My recent 1995's have been quite nice. Otherwise, a 1997 might be approachable if primary.

PH

Some 1998 Barolo and Barbaresco are drinking well right now, particularly if it's a base bottling that is a blend of vineyard holdings as opposed to single-cru bottlings that still need time.

Sure it's not going to cost you much, however a 2001 is just not ready. If you must, a long decant is needed. If it was a 2000, a much more approachable vintage I'd say go for it. As for the Pio Cesare, buy it. That is always a good call in a Barolo, just don't drink it until 2010 or later.

I'm convinced. I'll just take that idea off the table, as it were (was,is?).
I'll simply stay in accumulation mode.
Unfortunately, buying mature Barolo means you have to deal with the thieves (private wine merchants) that operate here, so that option doesn't really work for me.
Thanks again.

Try a few Langhes and maybe Gattinaras before you go off and buy a bunch of Barolos that you might not like.

Myself, it's my favourite wine, but there are quite a few very good Lange DOCs for example from Fontanafredda and Pio Cesare that will give you a hint of what you're up against.