GIACOSA BAROLO & BARBARESCO
at Joe & Magda's, NYC (2/26/2010)

Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night, . . .
will stay the Fine Wine Geek from the swift . . .
consumption of Bruno Giacosa wines.

Heading down the NYS Thruway at the end of a snow storm.

This was Part 1 of the Nebbiolo Knights February 2010 Barolothon. Part 2 was 1985 Barolo & Barbaresco.

Attendees: Joe, Jamie, Kelly, Tom, Ken, Greg, Henry, Steve, Dan.

Click on a photo with a border for a larger view.

Joe's wife Magda is a professional chef.
Visit her Cooking School cucinettaNYC.

This was a truly great meal!

The wines weren't bad either. Here is a photo taken by Joe
of some of the wines getting some air in the afternoon.
Note the US and Italian flags across the street.
Also note that the radiator was NOT on!

Here is the full set of Giacosa wines for the evening.

Click on a photo with a border for a larger view.

Friday Night Flights and Food

Flight 1: Whites
With Roasted Red Pepper Stuffed with Panzanella (Bread Salad).

1996 Valentini Trebbiano d'Abruzzo
Mild, mellow, pleasant. Little character. 88 points.

1999 Edi Kante Carso Sauvignon Blanc (Friuli-Venezia)
Stunning flavor. Loads of spicy fruit. Gorgeous! Perfect with the bread & pepper salad. 94 points.

2007 Miani Sauvignon Blanc (Colli Orientali del Friuli)
Tart, bland. 86 points.

Flight 2
With Wilted Cavolo Nero (Kale) Salad with Roasted Acorn Squash and Pine Nuts.

1971 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Rocche Riserva
Glorious nose. Incredibly sweet cherries on a super-long finish. I am stunned by the sweetness of the fruit in the this nearly 40 year old wine! 97 points.
1978 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Arione
Gorgeous nose of cherries, fruitcake spice, and a hint of meat. Thick sour cherries and licorice in the mouth. Penetrating super-long finish. Wow! Riveting! Drying on the finish. 97 points.

Flight 3
With Fresh Fettucine with Braised Rabbit Ragu.

1985 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Rionda
Woodsy nose. Quite tannic. Mouth-drying tannic. 88 points.
1993 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Rionda
Big black cherry nose. Young. Has an appealing sweetness that the 85 does not. Medium-long finish. Should continue to improve for 10 or more years. 93 points.

Flight 4
With Wild Mushroom Risotto made with Porcine Broth.

1990 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Asili Riserva
Red fruit and chocolate nose. Youthful. In the mouth, it is glorious! Surprisingly thick. Tannic but with a sweetness of fruit. A terrific, riveting wine with many years ahead. 97-99 points.
1990 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Santo Stefano Riserva
Tainted. Not undrinkable, but flat and bitter. NR

An Extra Food Course
Lamb Loin Stuffed with Prosciutto and Pecorino with a Madeira Sauce.

Flight 5
With Quail Stuffed with Chestnuts with Braised Savoy Cabbage (with Joe's help?).

1990 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto Riserva
Huge nose of beef and iron. Huge in the mouth with massive tannins. A fantastic, classic Barolo. 99-100 points.
1990 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Rionda Riserva
Big but exquisitely perfumed. Almost as big as the Falletto but with an exquisiteness in the mouth. Like a cross between the Asili and the Falletto. Great sweetness, typical of the vintage. 99 points.
1989 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Rionda Riserva
Mind-blowing nose of cherries, spice, minerals and iron. Big and rich with unbelievable depth. Riveting finish lasts 2 minutes. This is once again, simply the greatest wine I have every had. I'm in heaven. 102 points.

Flight 6: Rioja
With Roast Veal Stuffed with Prosciutto, Frittata and Spinach.

I don't even know where these wines came from. They just appeared.
I have no notes. I think the '61 was shot.
1991 R. López de Heredia Rioja Gran Reserva Viña Bosconia
1970 Bodegas Riojanas Rioja Monte Real Gran Reserva

1961 R. López de Heredia Rioja Gran Reserva Viña Tondonia

Cheese Course
Assorted Piedmontese Cheeses with Condiments including some of the following: Bra d'Alpeggio, Bruss, Castelmagno, Murazzano, Raschera, Robiola di Roccaverano, Toma Piedmontese, Bettelmat, Cachat, Caprini di Rimella (goat cheese).