You can´t hurry love ...

... no you just got to wait. In the case of Barolos, the wait may appear long indeed. The Society of Tastevin proudly presented an old Barolo tasting, MC´d by eminent master of very old wines Mårten, who started the tsting by singing (and dancing) the old Supremes hit, "You can´t hurry love" (thus the heading of this post). After a discussion of the different terroirs in the district, we headed straight for the tasting.'

1. Fontanafredda 2000 This was a present day "reference", with the added warning, we´ll just have to see ... [n] vanila, sweetness, jam, perfumed [p] very tannic, giv ing a sort of dusty impression, very , very close. Let´s look again in 15 years or so, shall we?
2. Fontanafredda 1958 [n] sherry, sweetness [p] madeirised, high acidity, tobbacco, structure of tannines, sweetness of maturity, toasted
3. Borgogno 1958 [n] stable, orange zest, a bit evasive, but fresh, bouillon, tar, coffee [p] stable, softness, big fresh tannicity, persisten acidity, very agreeable
4. Moresco 1979 Podere del Paiore (sp?) made by Gaja and really a Barbaresco (yield was apparently 7 hl/ha, astounding, right?) [n] roses, anise, ment, blckberries or rather black mulberries [p] roses, fruit, tar, very dominating tannines. My favoruite, no discussion!
5. Minuto 1964, also a Barbaresco. Considered a bit Bourgogne-like, round, raspberries .. [n] cress, peppery, cloves, geranium (tar) [p] sweet attack, low acidity
6. Conterno 1964 [n] sherry, sweetness, violets, walnuts [p] sweetness, madeira

After the first six, my organoleptic awareness deteriorated severely (spittoons were not provided). However. As an extra, two Borgognos were offered:

Obviously, these wines were dominated by tertiary aromas, and, in color (with the exception of #1 and #4) were dark yellow, with a hint of bronze. If you get a chance to try these really old Barolos (and Barbarescos), 30+ year, beg, steal or borrow, pawn your wedding ring ... but do it.

Cheers!

Nils Gustaf