Giacosa Verticals: All Asili Riservas & All Falletto/Rocche del Falletto Riservas
@ Del Posto Restaurant,
NYC (10/27/2013)
Mannie Berk and The Rare Wine Company
put on this amazing dinner, one of the greatest of my life.
A complete vertical of Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Asili Riserva 1967–2007 was followed
by a complete vertical of Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto Riserva 1971–1996 and
Le Rocche del Falletto Riserva 2000–2008.
Le Rocche del Falletto is the upper-center of the Falletto vineyard and was the primary
source of grapes for the Falletto Riservas before Le Rocche was bottled as a separately
named vineyard starting in 1997.
Much more information on the Bruno Giacosa Winery and its wines can be found on my
Fine Wine Geek
Giacosa Pages.
The guest of honor was Bruno's daughter Bruna who brought the younger wines (since 2000).
The older wines were provided by Rare Wine Co.
The food was the best I have had at Del Posto and very well matched to the wines.
I was assigned a seat with a delightful group of people including Bruna herself.
Photos of the people at my table are near the bottom of this page.
All the wines were opened around 5pm and double-decanted between 5 and 5:30.
The dinner started around 6:30 and lasted till about 10pm.
For each image, I have posted a compressed (and possibly cropped) version.
Click on it to see the original, much larger image.
The Wines: Asili Riservas in the front, Falletto and Rocche del Falletto Riservas in the back.
For writing tasting notes. The photo of Bruno Giacosa was taken by Mannie Berk in 1988.
The Menu and the Flights.
Bruno's daughter Bruna spoke briefly about her father & his wines.
Flight 1: Barbaresco Riserva Asili 2007-2000
Truffled Beef Carne Cruda with Parmigiano Reggiano & Watercress.
2007 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Riserva Asili - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco
Bright red fruit and mineral nose. Silky tannin. Light now. Will surely gain weight over time.
Great length. (94-97 points)
2004 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Riserva Asili - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco
Much more structured and tannic than the 2007. More muted dark fruit nose.
More complex on the long finish. Shutting down now. Should probably wait a decade to try this again.
Great wine. (97-99 points)
2000 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Riserva Asili - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco
More earth and dried cherry in the nose. Surprisingly mature, even for 2000.
Need to try another bottle. (93 points)
Flight 2: Barbaresco Riserva Asili 1967-1996 & Barbaresco Riserva 1961
Veal & Pork Agnolotii dal Plin.
1967 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Riserva Asili - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco
Glorious mature nose of dried cherries with hints of licorice and cinnamon.
Ethereal in the mouth.
Totally mature but with the juicy fruit (cherries and apples) of a totally alive wine.
Fading as it sits in the glass. No reason to wait, if you are lucky enough to own this great wine.
(97 points)
1990 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Riserva Asili - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco
Huge nose of red fruits and spice. Great length. A vibrant and stunning wine.
I can't see it getting better, but how much better is there? (98 points)
1996 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Riserva Asili - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco
Bright red fruit in the nose, much like the 2007! Cherries jubilee in the mouth.
Tight up front but explodes in the back. Amazing length with interesting spice at the end.
An incredibly complex wine that is well worth trying now if you have more than one.
Probably hit 100 points in 5-10 years. (99 points)
1961 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Riserva - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco
[Brought by another attendee who gave a taste to Ed, who let me finish it. I love these guys!!!]
One of the most ethereal wines I have ever put in my mouth. Tasted in this context,
I can fully appreciate how great this perfect old wine is. The finish lasts for minutes.
As great as any old wine can be. I am blown away. (100 points)
Flight 3: Barolo Riserva Le Rocche del Falletto 2008-2000
Vacca Rossa Risotto.
2008 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Riserva Le Rocche del Falletto di Serralunga d'Alba
- Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
Muted cherry and tar nose. Very tannic. A beast of a wine.
Massive and hard to judge at this stage. Opening up slowly.
Would love to follow this over night. Alas … wine marches on.
(95-98? points)
2001 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Riserva Le Rocche del Falletto di Serralunga d'Alba
- Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
Showing some secondary aromas in the nose. Explodes in the mouth. Amazing wine!
Still young and tannic but so obviously great now and for the next 30 years.
May be the the greatest Le Rocche del Falletto made.
This is what Giacosa is all about: power and grace. Mind blown.
(100 points)
Flight 5: Barolo Riserva Falletto 1971-1986
Chef's Selection of Artisanal Piemontese Cheese:
Gorgonzola, Robiola, Pecorino Foglie di Noce.
1971 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Riserva Falletto di Serralunga d'Alba
- Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
Ethereal nose of porcini, dried cherries and flowers. Amazing in the mouth.
Long finish of cherries and mulching fall leaves.
Still solid and a special pleasure to drink. (96 points)