HKWS Tasting of Mature Barolo, 1955-1989

[Jamie_Pettigrew]

@Bill Boykin

Coloration or hue is not necessarily a determiner of wine quality.For me,provenance and storage stability are more important.I’ve seen many a Barolo from 50s and 60s with that “darkness”,including a pristine looking 58 Monfortino…which turned out to be something resembling Zin…

Bill I am not sure what you mean. Was the Monfortino a fake? I had a friend open a thirties Monfortino recently and it was sparkling.

[Bill_Boykin]

@Jamie Pettigrew

@Bill Boykin

Coloration or hue is not necessarily a determiner of wine quality.For me,provenance and storage stability are more important.I’ve seen many a Barolo from 50s and 60s with that “darkness”,including a pristine looking 58 Monfortino…which turned out to be something resembling Zin…

Bill I am not sure what you mean. Was the Monfortino a fake? I had a friend open a thirties Monfortino recently and it was sparkling.

Yes,that Monfortino was a fake.
Sorry,Jamie,if I was unclear.My point is just that old barolo,when well stored,can resemble the darker color that you were questioning,Monfortino included…so color doesn’t always reveal the true state of the wines.
I’ve had 61 Monfortino with the light garnet color that has trumped older 55 or 58 versions with a darker color.

Again,great collection you had to savor.

[Jamie_Pettigrew]

Thanks Bill,

Very helpful info’.

[Ken_V]

67’s are often quite dark. Off the top of my head, I can recall a G. Mascarello tasted with Mauro which he said was authentic, a recent Cappellano Riserva, A G. Conterno Barolo, and others that had unusually dark color compared to other Barolos from the 60s and 70s. Often quite youthful as well. Maybe 2003 will turn out like this?