Have had a few nebbiolo-based wines in the past week, here’s a brief report:
1989 Aldo Conterno Vigna Cicala - My first well aged Barolo and it lived up to my expectations. Soft but clear cherry on the nose, just a little bright and fruity up front turning into a gorgeous, smooth, soft wonderland of tangy, woody, leathery notes, just a hint of something a little salty like soy. Steadily opened as the night wore on and the deeper notes awoke into the nose and palate. Long and soft. Happy. Great soft tannins with persistent acids that just flat out begged for mouthfuls of Italian ragu that went along with it. 94.
1990 Aldo Conterno Vigna Cicala - One night later, but in a different decade of wine time. Extremely bright, sweet complex of red fruit on the bouquet, demanded long sniffs. The entry was much sweeter, red fruitier, brighter and flat out more youthful than the 1989, but with an equally long lasting mid and persistence. Some leather on the nose and palate too. I think I preferred the 1989 as having a greater complex of secondary and tertiary flavors, but even so this was still delicious. Maybe just needs more time? 93.
2010 Bruno Giacosa Nebbiolo d’Alba Valmaggiore - Interesting find on an airport wine bar list ($64, Vino Volo, Detroit) - attractive pale magenta wine that, while clearly youthful and a bit edgy on the tannin, still drank extremely well. Gentle nose of red fruit, strong entry with more berries, and then a shortish mid and finish with those chunky tannins and a bit of acid. Not exactly great balance, and probably would have benefitted from some cheese, but we were just drinking the wine. Still, a treat at a venue in which my expectations were extremely low. 89-90.