Italian TNs: 1990 Parusso Barolo Mariondino & 1990 Prunotto Barolo Cannubi

WINE TALK
1

For dinner last night with a ziti dish my wife whipped up with sweet italian sausage, garlic, escarole and canellini beans.

Continuing on my amazing streak from Saturday where it took me four bottles of white to finally get one drinking well, the first bottle of the Prunotto was very mildly corked - no discernible cardboard scent on the nose, but the cork itself smelled off, and the wine had a stripped nose and a clipped palate profile. I’m sure it will be a nice addition to my wife’s sauce later this week.

The Parusso had a great nose, with a dash o’ funk, some roses and bright cherry fruit. Very smooth on the palate, this is a mid-weight Barolo that is in a prime-time drinking window.

The second bottle of Prunotto showed younger than the Parusso, with menthol, balsamic, a red & black fruit profile and still packing a serious dollop of tannins on the finish. Both wines are drinking very nicely right now, although I think in another 10 years time the Prunotto will clearly be superior. Still, testament to the greatness of this vintage, as 20 years on neither wine showed any hints of a decline, and both provided very nice drinking considering that neither would be what I would consider a top-flight producer.

2

Thanks Bob. For reasons unexplained, I have a mag of the 90 Mariondino. What does your experience suggest as to when (and in what company) I should try this bottle?

3

Me too!

Glad to hear it is still showing well.

4

Henry, in terms of “in what company” should it be consumed, I have mags of the '90 Parusso Bussia, so I think a little side-by-side would be in order [wink.gif] .

In terms of when, no hurry at all, although I don’t think it will be as long-lasting as the Prunotto.

BTW, I had a quartet of Brunelli last night at a local Italian BYOB, and while I hope to get some notes up at some point in time today, I can mention here that a 2001 Pertimali absolutely rocked, which surprised me given it’s youth. Stunningly good last night.

5

Me three!

I had a 750 late last year. Similar experience to Bob. Smooth, enjoyable, and at peak.