Bruno Giacosa, Barbaresco, Albesani Vigna Santo Stefano

Brilliant! Nose is developed and endlessly complex - cherry fruit and candy, currant, violet, potpourri, liquorice, tar, dried prunes, and leather. Palate is extremely elegant and balanced, with an almost ethereal body despite the 14.5% ABV. The sweet cherry candy and liquorice notes were especially pronounced, which I found wildly appealing. At least another 5 years left here. Would recommend giving this at least 3 hours in bottle, but do check on it every 30 mins to appreciate its evolution. …

2007 vintage

Brought to wine tasting function - no notes taken Primarily secondary/ tertiary on the nose - tar/ lilac and black cherry with mild VA lifting these aromas Palate was more fruit forward, with black cherry dominant - I found this palate broader and more fruit forward than most Barbaresco of this age Tannins medium plus but ultra fine and totally integrated This was drinking great - I personally think its in a good window now and wouldn't age any longer …

2007 vintage

WOTN for the group out of 12 diverse lineup. Nose was stunning and amazing blueberry and cinnamon notes came through. truly a pleasure to try this.

2007 vintage

Pasta Lover’s Club-Truffle night (Yountville, CA) : Oh baby. This saw a few hours of air and it is just amazing. It’s Deep, soulful, and savory with red cherries, violets, raspberries, juniper berries, licorice, potpourri, cinnamon spices, and roasted herbs. There is so much depth and expression as it just fills up the glass with so much purity and poise. The Full bodied feel is deft and deep with tart, high acidity and silky, high tannins. This is just stunning. …

2007 vintage

6+ hour decant and this was signing at the dinner table. A more warm and therefore approachable vintage, and in a questionable era for the winery, but this was classic in all ways save it being ready to drink at this young age. Should hold for a decade but not one I'd expect to be a long-term ager.

2007 vintage

Monthly Tasting Group: Aged Wines 2010 and Older (St. Genevieve, Mpls, MN) : Just got a taste, but thought this was excellent. In the zone, poised and ready to go. Thanks Craig.

2007 vintage

Decanted for sediment but should have stood upright longer because it still through a lot of fine sediment. Pale ruby color with some slight bricking. Nose leaps from the glass with cherry cordial, dried cherries, sweet baking spice notes, a touch of burnt sugar, cedar cigar box, balsamic reduction. Just really great. Similar flavors on the palate with almost a fresh cherry pie type flavor as a bit of brown sugar note comes through on the back end. Medium+ acidity, …

2009 vintage

Pale garnet, perfumed nose of cherry licorice and menthol, tannins are still present but not obstructive, this wine is really enjoying its moment right now.

2007 vintage

Was nice - but lacking some complexity and length - had this wine 2-3 years ago for dinner was amazing - maybe in another dorm phase - try in 2-3 years again.

2007 vintage

Everything was in harmony. A superb wine. Tannins integrated but present throughout giving a nice tension with the cherry, balsamic, rose petals and tar. No decant and while that may help soften some edges on the finish I didn’t find that was needed when pairing this with food. Had with wagyu ribeye, pizza, and pasta. A venerable Italian feast.

2007 vintage

Noticeable brick color. Fruit comes to life a bit with ~1 hour of air (pulled cork no decant). This is elegant and enjoyable but no "wow factor". I do not expect this to improve further so drink up

2008 vintage

Decanted for 45 minutes before service. Auburn-tinted pink at the rim, shading to medium-dark ruby red at the core. On the nose, notes of rose, worn leather, and potpourri. On the palate, surprisingly youthful fruit with a touch of sweetness, combined with herbal and floral notes, tar, fennel, and very fine tannins on the back end. I suspect this is the plateau, and there are just enough remaining tannins to keep it there for a while, but there's no reason …

2007 vintage

Pretty and complex nose that, after an hour of air, seemed to become subdued, and waved in and out. Fun and sweet red fruit at the center. Good structure. Hard to judge this bottle, but still good.

2007 vintage

Piemonte (Barolo & Barbaresco) tasting (at Etti Lavian) : Aromas: The nose is rich with red fruits such as cherry and strawberry, interwoven with floral notes of rose petals and hints of exotic spices. Subtle undertones of camphor, mocha, and cedar add complexity to the bouquet. Palate: On the palate, the wine is full-bodied and precise, showcasing flavors of red currant and spice. The texture is silky-sweet, with a vibrant acidity that provides lift and balance. The tannins are fine-grained …

2007 vintage

Corkage at Jean Georges. Decanted for about two hours and drank for another hour after that. This was drinking very well even right after decanting and improved throughout the meal.

2009 vintage

Another delicious bottle. Still very primary.

2007 vintage

notes of cola, tea, tart maraschino cherry. lovely and light.

2007 vintage

A beauty in a good place. Generous nose with cherry, strawberry, roses, lots of of youthful fruit. Palate of earthy tart red fruit, some ripe cherry, baking spices, gentle tannins. Long engaging finish. Utterly lovely Barbaresco, on the younger side but plenty open.

2007 vintage

Very nice - red cherry fruit, sweet, spice - overall, elegant.

2007 vintage

My 2007 smelled and tasted well past drinking. No way it makes it to 2031 as indicated in this apps drinking window.

2007 vintage

Tasted blind. This has a rocking nose that is smoking good. Mahogany wood, sour cherry, slightly medicinal. Quintessential Barolo.

2007 vintage

Medium ruby with an amber hue. Fully mature, this lovely Barbaresco has an elegant, aromatic nose showcasing crushed rose petals, cherries, freshly baked pound cake. Soft, warm mouthfeel has tart fruit in a tannic envelope but the tannins are easing and no longer seem severe. Endless mineral-dominated finish.

2007 vintage

2024-07 Vinorules Truffle Dinner at The Rec (The Recreation) : Broader and more pure nose than the 13 Rabaja. The palate swayed between intense raspberry and blackcurrant. Super expressive. Some structure and powdery tannins started to creep in over time in the glass. I thought this was a Mascarello Villero, so was way off. 94

2007 vintage

Giacosa Riservas and Cappellano Francos (Hearth Restaurant, NYC) : [Double-decanted at 1:30pm.] Sweet red fruit nose. Rich and complex in the mouth with a sweetness typical of 2007. A long spicy finish.

2007 vintage

Lunch with Neal Martin - Part 2 (L'Ardente - Washington D.C.) : Medium expressive nose displaying very ripe slightly dry red fruit, cherry liqueur, dry cherry, fruitcake, licorice, leather, sap, tar, sous bois and earth. Very good concentration, very ripe dry red cherry fruit, medium acidity, iron mineral, and a long sweet dry red fruit driven finish with leather and licorice at the end. This bottle seems very ripe.

2007 vintage

Mystery wine evening (@Private location) : *** only for my memory, no detailed note or rating *** Glass: Spiegelau Definition Bordeaux Tasted double blind. Beautiful nose. Very fine and elegant palate, round, floral and charming. Oxidative style, but very fresh and lively. Long!

2007 vintage

no finish

2007 vintage

Piemonte (Barolo & Barbaresco) tasting (at my home) : Deep garnet color with a tawny hue. The nose is complex and inviting, with aromas of black cherry, plum, licorice, tar, and smoke. The palate is full-bodied and powerful, with flavors of black cherry, plum, licorice, tar, and smoke. The tannins are ripe and well-integrated, and the finish is long and persistent. This wine is still young and has the potential to age for many years to come. It is perfect …

2007 vintage

醒酒十五分钟，淡石榴红色，闻香有饼干，甜香料，草莓，百里香，焦油，玫瑰花和泥土气息，香气扑鼻，在杯中绽放。入口酸度线性，酒液咸，微微回甜，单宁细粉状，酒液触感柔软，后段有酒精度带来力量感，余味木质香气，覆盆子，悠长的果香和细腻花香，显得很精巧。中段有些封闭，需要醒酒，一款柔和而又有力量的内比奥罗，多汁的口感，中等偏轻盈的酒体。醒酒五个小时，闻香脂粉气更明显，漂亮玫瑰花香，入口水果糖和果汁感，后段酒精感依旧，余味满口覆盆子，酒喝起来还是很紧，可以继续醒酒。醒酒九个半小时，闻香是胭脂水粉，甜果，木质香气，此时香气非常融合，高级感十足，感觉和前面的表现很不一样，入口中段更加饱满，果汁感，口感粘稠，集中度漂亮，还能捕捉到甜美水果糖的气息，酒的状态比之前都要松弛，此刻我确信，红标的状态到了。继续回塞两个小时正式开喝，闻起来有一股鲜味，些许灌木丛气息，红樱桃，蔓越莓，一点陈年的梅果香气，玫瑰花瓣，以及胭脂水粉……酒的香气非常飘逸，婉转而又多变。入口酸度高，酒液咸，口中回甜，单宁已经细腻如粉，泥土，草莓，乌梅一类的梅果，口感柔和，酒体轻盈。悠长的果味作为结束，以覆盆子为主，还有高级木质香气。随着醒酒时间继续增加，酒液越发甜美，花香四溢，始终保持着优雅的身姿，非常迷人，余味是爆棚的花果香。已经进入适饮期的一款酒，远没有到达巅峰，没有任何老态，还有很长的陈年潜力。成熟而又年轻，甜美而又古典大气。精准表达了 Babaresco 与众不同的风格和特点。

2007 vintage

Bottle acquired at release and carefully cellared. Opened 2 hours in advance and opened the neck by pouring the usual small tasting amount. Reading other notes I was afraid it was slowly evolving but I found it in a very good spot. Secondary evolved fruity notes just giving some hints of tertiary. A touch of liqorice and mediteranean herbs, Acidity medium + Round but good agility in the mouth Well integrated tannins Medium long finish Drink now but for sure …

2009 vintage

Delicious and generous red cherry fruit and licorice, with some moderate sweet tannins and a long finish. Has many years ahead of delighting drinkers

2007 vintage

Exceptional. Very nice when opened, and only improved from there. Red color with brick tones around the edge. Big nose with cigar, rose petals, and dried red fruit. Silky tannins coat the mouth and compliment cherry and oak notes, Explosive flavors and a long finish. Classic giacosa

2007 vintage

much older appearance than the other 2009's at vine taster but after 5 hours had a wonderful barbaresco soft cherry palate that is so enjoyable others did not like the nose

2009 vintage

Clear, brick color. Beautiful nose of rose petal, cherry, and glycerol. Taste is mostly red fruit with a bit of tar. Silky tannins provide backbone. Four hour decant and served with pasta. Traditional barbaresco

2008 vintage

NV Bruno Giacosa Asili and Rabajà (La Brasserie, NYC) : [Double-decanted for one hour starting around 8am.] Big black fruit nose. Sweet, tart cherries in the mouth. Not much tannin. Delicious now. Probably reaching its peak now, but won't fade any time soon.

2007 vintage

Wonderful balance. Super ripe. Almost pruney.

2007 vintage

En magnum …. Decanted @ 2:00 a little cloudy. Initial nose tight, first sip showed spice, impressive density, texture and finish… back in the bottle @ 6:00 served @ 7:00 where this had opened up nicely to revel a ripe, red fruited, spicy, balanced, lusciously textured Barbaresco. Best sip was the last sip @ 10:00. This is in early maturity, especially in this format, and will pick up complexity and continue to improve over the next two decades.

2007 vintage

Crimson fading to garnet. Revealing on its layered nose with a cascade of red berries joined by black cherry, earth and rust with leather and hints of licorice. This was part of a blind tasting where we were only told that out of the three Piemontese wines from 2007 only one was a Barolo. My pick was this one. This is rich and more firmly textured compared to its peers. Has a long, alluring finish.

2007 vintage

Rose petal, red fruit, dried flowers, tar and spice. Very smooth and elegant but slightly shy compared to the 07 Barolo Riserva. Very pretty nevertheless. 93-94

2007 vintage

Color: dark brick and brown Nose: cedar tree and tar constitute the powerful backbone for a bouquet anchored in violets and sour cherry preserved under spirit. There are whiffs of menthol. Every sniff then brings something new, with strawberry coulis, dry flowers, wood polish some examples. Also prominent some light raisin aged notes and tobacco leaf Palate: still biting tannins, medium-high, and medium-high acidity for a medium-full body. At the start a little hot and alcoholic, it balanced out beautifully …

2009 vintage

Waited too long to open seems.

2007 vintage

Uncorked at 1400 and start drinking at 1900. The wine was still very close and need time to develop. Best after double decant at around 2200. Full of rose and cherry, floral, perfume.

2007 vintage

Very rich almost port-like nose, very balsamic. Rich ripe and full on the palate. Ripe finish with lively acidity and chunky tannins but all in balance. Overall this is super-ripe and not especially expressive but well-balanced.

2008 vintage

SLDS October 2021 : Licorice, pretty roses, spice and earthy notes. Classic weight to the palate with the fruit having good presence against the grippy tannins. Has plenty of potential to keep lifting from here.

2007 vintage

Utterly brilliant, like so many of Bruno Giacosa's pre-2008 wines. Double decanted 2 hours before drinking, ready to go. Conterno Sensory glasses. Took it out of the cellar for friends who like Barolo but had never tasted Giacosa, and they were blown away by the delicacy of the wine, the flowers and cherry and leather and sous bois, the tart and long finish. Just another day at the office for the magician who was Bruno Giacosa.

2007 vintage

The Sky As My Roof Wine 1 Great start to the evening with this elegant red. Still astringent, yet approachable, the palate was cherry, leather, and slightly floral. Finish lingered. Very well done. QPR 7 (of 10) Aging 2026 at least

2007 vintage

Opened this at 18.00 and had the last glass 2 hours later. But this wine really needed 4-6 additional hours, or even better: 3-5 years in the cellar. The first 1/2 glass was wonderful (as always) but the rest of the bottle was hidden in tannins and structure. Started to open up a little bit at the end but this needs time. Will probably be great with additional cellaring. All the ingredients are there. My third Bruno Giacosa and this …

2007 vintage

So smooth

2007 vintage

Giacosa's 2009 Albesani Santo Stefano offers a ripe bouquet of cherry, strawberry candy, and lots of tar. Medium body with cherry and medicinal flavors. Good finish.

2009 vintage

Disappointing. Easy to drink, balanced, with Burgundian elegance. But for a wine of this caliber, I expect a lot more complexity than red fruitiness on nose and palate. My first pour from a Coravin so maybe a bit of air will help. This had Asili lightness and lift but I need an explosively aromatic noise to justify the price tag. Perhaps in time?

2007 vintage

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Bruno Giacosa, Barbaresco, Albesani Vigna Santo Stefano

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