2007 Castello di Neive Barbaresco Albesani Santo Stefano- Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco (1/14/2012)
Decanted 4 hrs. Youthfully imploded on the nose, surprisingly so, as I though the vintage and the extreme state of youth would leave more expressive aromatics. Some crushed berry skins and soil tones did emerge with aggressive swirling. The first sip yielded absolutely nothing. No fruit, no tannin, heck not even some sadistic young Nebbiolo acidity to kick my teeth in. I seriously thought about opening a new bottle but stayed patient, or I was too lazy to get off the couch to get something else. At any event, after being open for about an hour, the texture began to fill in and slowly but surely a soft cherry presence grew, along with very subtle mint and oak spice tones. Decent medium length finish. To be honest, I really had a hard time enjoying this wine, and I usually have experienced a lot of utility value opening young Neb wines in the past, but not this time. Perhaps it needs 10 plus more years, bad time to open it etc etc. But this being my one and only bottle, I just didn’t connect with it enough to purchase another bottle or two for the privilege of waiting to see where this ends up.
Bill, it was such a bizzare experience, but I kept going back to it again and again (finished the bottle myself), and while it did finally turn the corner, I guess i was already sort of palate fatigued by then. Of coarse, the smart play would have been to save some for tonight, however, I was in my full throttle “its Friday night and I have to finish Season 4 of The Wire and this bottle is going down with me mode”. Im sure you understand :0
craig, given the discrepncy between my experience and of Bill, AG, and the other three positive notes on CT, yes. Furthermore, it should be had for around $50, so its not like you have to pay a Giacosa tarrif to see whats under the hood.