1998 Tenute Cisa Asinari dei Marchesi di Grésy Barbaresco Martinenga Camp Gros- Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco (3/6/2010)
Color almost exactly the same as the 2004, with which I am tasting this, so it’s amazing vibrance.
On nose, caramelly strawberry jam. Sweet spice and black pepper. Nose still lively and fresh even with this age, very intense. Sweet tobacco and some cocoa.
In mouth, integrated tannins and still fresh acidity on finish. Wonderful, seems much younger. Strong throughout palate but has a lot of elegance. 12 to 14 seconds of persistence. Very drinkable.
Aromas become more floral as it opens up with time and raised temp.
I drank through a case of the 1990 version of this wine - sometimes I regret that I did not hang on to a couple of bottles to see how they eventually aged/matured, but the wine never really shut down, and it was an absolutely hedonistic Barbaresco for the first ten years of it’s life.
I also really liked the 2004. I wrote that it had an intense nose, with sweet black and red fruits, tobacco, and a touch of candied orange. Tannins were very firm but it wasn’t drying, with a nice acidity on a persistent finish. Overall elegant and well structured.
I was amazed at the aging ability on these wines, I did a week long tasting course there last week.
I also had an 85 Borgogno Barolo while I was there, and it was complex on the nose and lovely as well, but not as impressive as the 1998 Camp Gros. Although it was a different producer and different wine, maybe you should drink the '85 soon.