A Memorable Evening of Barolo and Barbaresco: 1978 – 1990

It’s always a lot of fun to get together with my tasting group.  I knew this was going to be an unforgettable dinner when the first wine of the evening was listed as the 1985 Sassicaia, one of the most legendary and collectible wines ever produced in Italy. The plan also included a deep selection of classics, including three Giacosa Barolos from 1978, a mini-vertical of Giacosa’s Barbaresco Riserva Santo Stefano spanning 1982-1990, and a mini-vertical of Conterno’s Barolo Riserva Monfortino covering the historic 1978, 1982, and 1985 vintages.  We were fortunate, and indeed privileged, to taste these wines from bottles that had been perfectly stored since release.  As always it would be a great pleasure to share these wines and the animated conversation they bring out in a small group setting.   What a night lay ahead!

We started with the 1985 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia, which was impressive for its deep color, fresh aromatics and vibrant flavors.  It offered attractive plummy fruit, cassis and toasted oak notes on a medium-bodied frame with excellent length and fine, silky tannins, conveying an impression of understated elegance.  Readers fortunate enough to own this wine can look forward to at least another decade of prime drinking.

Giacosa: Barbaresco Riserva Santo Stefano 1982 – 1990

An unforgettable flight of Bruno Giacosa’s Barbaresco Riserva Santo Stefano followed and these wines were nothing short of breathtaking for their complexity, poise and overall balance.  These wines delivered a combination of intellectual stimulation and sheer pleasure that is hard to fully describe, but that places them among the finest wines I have ever tasted.  Needless to say, comparing four great vintages from 1982-1990 was a rare opportunity.

1982 Giacosa Barbaresco Riserva Santo Stefano – Dark red.  I was simply floored by the 1982 Santo Stefano.  It shows a captivating, totally hypnotizing nose of roses and spices followed by rich sensations of bright red cherry fruit, licorice and menthol, with extraordinary length, purity and overall balance.  At once delicate and powerful, it shows the notable structure of the 1982 vintage and promises to deliver a profound, emotionally moving drinking experience to those fortunate enough to taste it.  An unforgettable wine.  98/drink now-2016, 02/06

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It’s always a lot of fun to get together with my tasting group. I knew this was going to be an unforgettable dinner when the first wine of the evening was listed as the 1985 Sassicaia, one of the most legendary and collectible wines ever produced in Italy. The plan also included a deep selection of classics, including three Giacosa Barolos from 1978, a mini-vertical of Giacosa’s Barbaresco Riserva Santo Stefano spanning 1982-1990, and a mini-vertical of Conterno’s Barolo Riserva Monfortino covering the historic 1978, 1982, and 1985 vintages. We were fortunate, and indeed privileged, to taste these wines from bottles that had been perfectly stored since release. As always it would be a great pleasure to share these wines and the animated conversation they bring out in a small group setting. What a night lay ahead!