WTN: Two word tasting note

[David M. Bueker]

2001 Scavino Barolo
Massively tannic

I thought Barolo was one of those wines where you're supposed to wait two or three generations before even wondering whether to open a bottle. Is your experience indicative of the reason?

John

I've had Barolos over 10 years old that fit the same TN.

On an unrelated note, I think I'm the rare person who prefers Barabresco to Barolo, although I'm not a frequent buyer of either.

[David M. Bueker]

I normally wait many years before opening a Barolo, but this was a 375ml & I had a well-marbled ribeye in front of me, so...

Lesson learned - there are few exception to the aging rule & this was not one of them.

At the Italian wine tasting at NiagaraCOOL I believe we did have one Barolo. I was sucking my cheeks for 5 minutes after the first sip.

It's the main reason I don't know whether I like Barolo or not. I've never had one 15 or more years old and they are far too tannic for me short of that. OTOH, I've had Brunellos that were enjoyable with only 5 years of age.

At the Italian wine tasting at NiagaraCOOL I believe we did have one Barolo. I was sucking my cheeks for 5 minutes after the first sip.

We also had the Antonelli 2001 Sagrantino di Montefalco, for which Mark Criden provided the one-word tasting note "brick!!"

2001 Scavino Barolo
Massively tannic

2-word reply: NO BRAINER

At the Italian wine tasting at NiagaraCOOL I believe we did have one Barolo. I was sucking my cheeks for 5 minutes after the first sip.

We also had the Antonelli 2001 Sagrantino di Montefalco, for which Mark Criden provided the one-word tasting note "brick!!"

That's what I was thinking of. I was so busy cooking I didn't have time to take notes. Thanks for the correction Steve.

I love tannins, and that must be the reason I drink liters of black tea every day and like young Bordeaux, Madiran and Nebbiolo! I tried a couple Scavino 2001s upon release and was happy to see that they have slightly toned down the oak compared to some previous vintages. But I still felt that the combination of oak, huge extraction and the grapes' tannins were difficult. I loved some other young Barolos and Barbarescos (Vajra & Cavallotto especially) and though they were extremely tannic also, they didn't seem as forced as the Scavinos and Braidas and Cerettos and had a purity of fruit that made them - for my tastes - extremely drinkable despite the youthful structure.

I went to a Piedmont tasting a few weeks ago and there were a couple of 2003 Barolo wines poured. Your note would fit them too.
Maybe massively massivetannins would describe the 03's.

There was an 01 also that was very tight.