Riper/warmer red fruits, without the sweet & sour juxtaposition on the '98. This is a mature Barolo, drinking well as it approaches it’s 25th birthday - not sure if this is built to hit 35, but it will certainly drink well over the next 5 years. Noticeable legs on this wine.
1997 Giuseppe E Figlio Mascarello Barolo Ca d’Morissio Riserva Monprivato- Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo (7/12/2014)
At the core, several shades darker than either of the Monprivato normales. Very nuanced nose, although not as red-fruited as the two previous wines - menthol too, with almost a smoke or matchstick accent as well. You could really spend some time here, as the bouquet is seemingly evolving every few minutes.
Very balanced on the palate, with a tannic kick on the finish - I can feel this wine on my enamel right now. Given how ripe (or overripe) wines could be in this hot vintage, the balance in this wine right now is impressive. Good now, better in another 5-10 years. My favorite of the three wines tonight.
Sweet & sour cherry fruit on the palate, nice finish, really not much here in the way of a tannic bite. Not a lot of secondary nuance yet, but I certainly wouldn’t fault anyone for enjoying this as it is right now.
Opened a 97 Monprivato last night. I guess I’d agree Bob that–for a 97–it exceeded my expectations regarding balance. But I have to say that my go-to descriptors for Monprivato are not “lush” and “slutty”, but that’s the predominant takeaway for me. Delicious, highly enjoyable, a success for the vintage–yes. Monprivato? Well, maybe.
Craig, I popped and poured and it was firing from the get-go, consistent with my general reaction that this is not your typical Monprivato. Rich, exotic nose, just enough buried acidity to carry the lush fruit on the palate. Unlike Bob’s riserva I’d say this is one for the near term.
We had repaetetly, maybe then times the Momprivato 2004 and I gave it last wednesday 80 points. Used to be better, maybe 92 against all screams from my buddies, double blind, alas one wine I keep, because I don´t understand it or it is really crap.
Taking the history of it it shall succeed.
I will be hosting a 2004 Barolo horizontal in a few months. I will be pitching the Monprivato in that line up. Lets see how it fares compared with the other top wines from that vintage.
John, good question. The wine continued to drink well for several days, always a good sign, and it really hasn’t developed much in the way of secondary nuance, so you’d have to believe given the track record of the producer that better things await.
That said, the '97 Ca d’Morissio clearly drank like a much younger wine, so who’s to say? I still have more than a case of the '98, so I will be checking in on it, but I don’t really know where this wine is headed right now.
I read you, Arif.
My last bottle I opened was 2010. Then I bought a sixpack and a Mag because I found the vintage extra, not the wine. I have had very good wines of the 80s and 90s.
But it is a difficult wine.