Apologies for the slightly stale notes from a couple of wines at Thanksgiving dinner with the cousins in Tokyo. I'm going through a project (connected to a New Year's Resolution) to transcribe tasting notes stored on various scraps of paper or in my head and get them loaded into Cellar Tracker. You guys are the victims.
2000 Bruno Giacosa Brut Extra - Italy, LombardiaThe wine had a really tightly wound core of acidity, like a spring waiting to explode, surrounded by slight yeast/toast, apple and apricot fruit, and a surprisingly big (but pleasing) mouthfeel. I really enjoyed the two bottles I bought and drank. I will also be buying more to lay down. I can't wait to see how this wine develops over 10 years or so. The core of springlike acidity promises a great life.
1974 Castello Montegrosso Barbaresco Riserva - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, BarbarescoBrick orange, but fairly solid at the rim...nose began with straight tea...prompted instinctive fear of dead wine with residual tannin...two swirls and a good sniff started to show a little sweet fruit, a little earth...a small sip showed mostly sweetness on the palate...further swirls, sniffs, and simple time brought out tar, a surprisingly vibrant floral component, and a bit of deep cherry fruit...palate maintained typical old-wine sweetness..recurring nose over two hours was increasignly tar and flower oriented. In great shape and was a great accompaniment to 18 mo Comte, 24 mo Gouda, and 36 mo Parm after Thanksgiving dinner.
Take care,
Jim