Ba-Ba-Ba-Ba-Barbaresco!
Frank and I belong to a loosely organized group of wine aficionados. Recently we got together and blind tasted 5 Barbarescos from the Piemonte region of Northern Italy. We tasted the following:
- Cantina Del Toro, Ovello 2004
- Cantina Del Toro, Ovello 2003 – both of these wines showed really well. The 2004 was much more approachable with medium to full body and more fruit forward. It’s drinking really nicely right now. The 2003 had more tannin, a bit dryer, showing pepper and spice, but very similar to the 04. With firm tannins it should continue to mature well. (Frank’s favorite and in the interest of full-disclosure…the one he brought to the tasting!)
- Sottimano Cotta, 2004 – another lovely Barbaresco. This one showed hints of berries and peppers with softer tannins. Overall a medium bodied wine that we enjoyed.
- Pio Cesare, Il Bricco 2001 – This was a fuller bodied wine with a big upfront nose of nutmeg and vanilla with a very smooth, velvety finish. It is showing nicely now. We recommend that you pair it with a hearty meal of veal or lamb and potatoes or pasta.
- Produttori del Barbaresco, 2004 Vendemmia – This wine was a surprise. We actually tasted two bottles of this wine, our 1st taste and then our 6th taste. No one could identify these two bottles as the same wine, because they changed so much with time and aeration. (All bottles were opened at the same time, but were tasted in sequence over the course of about 1.5 hours.) The first tasting was tighter with more tannins and less fruit. The 6th tasting (2nd tasting of the same wine) was a big surprise. It had developed a much stronger nose, more fruit upfront and nicer finish. This was definitely the best quality wine for the price.
My personal favorite was the Pio Cesare. But I’m a push over for a big round red wine!
If you want more info on this Italian varietal, try the following link:
http://www.wineintro.com/types/barbaresco.html
Cheers to all!
Mary Ann and Frank