471441 Thu Dec 20 16:53:57 -0800 2007 9 34 Wine 0 3226831 I'm in need of some guidance here....I have tasted but two barolos (baroli?) in my life - both chosen at a restaurant by someone else and absolutely delicious. Although I never got the names (one was 7 years ago, one was 5), I have always promised myself that I would treat myself again, one day. Well, I just got my MA, and I'm going to buy myself $100.00 worth of barolo. I know that is not a huge budget, but it will be a treat for me no matter what. Here are my questions: Should I blow the whole hundred on one bottle? If so, can anyone suggest a bottle in that price range that is a good representation of barolo? Should I get two decent bottles instead of one? Are there two bottles that might represent the range of what a barolo has to offer? Any help is appreciated - thanks in advance! Thu Dec 20 16:53:57 -0800 2007 60630 saticoy 1 3226913 I'd go with two bottles...these are good producers/vintages that you should be able to find for approximately $50.00/bottle: 2003 Prunotto Barolo 2003 Roagna Barolo Vigna Ronda 2001 Brovia Barolo Rocche 2003 Guido Porro Barolo Lazzairasco Even though these are relatively young by Barolo standards, all are excellent -- make sure you give them some aeration time! Thu Dec 20 17:30:00 -0800 2007 3226831 15835 Husky 1 3227535 I have limited experience with barolos, but the best one I've had was the '01 Pio Cesare Ornato. It should only get better with more time. It's around $80-$90. If you are planning to get two bottles, might I suggest getting a barolo and a barbaresco? They're both made from the nebbiolo grape in Piedmont region. Barbarescos tend to be less tannic and a little more approachable in their youth. I believe they have a shorter aging requirement relative to barolos as well, though I'm not entirely sure of the difference. An additional plus: they're usually not as expensive. Produttori del Barbaresco makes an excellent barbaresco for the price, around $25-$35. Others on the board can give you much more specific recommendations. Congrats on your MA. Thu Dec 20 23:48:05 -0800 2007 3226831 97069 mengathon 1 3227545 Given your price range, your best bet is probably going to be the superb 2001 vintage. Anything from 96 or 99 is going to be too expensive and anything younger just doesn't have much development.... the '01s are still young, but for your purposes there's enough evolution for you to enjoy them and get a feel for a truly great vintage. Fri Dec 21 00:17:17 -0800 2007 3226831 42549 Chicago Mike 2 3228395 Not to get off the subject, but I was given a 2001 Revello Fratelli Barolo as a gift and was wondering when would be the ideal time to open it... Do you think a year or two? Have you tried that one in particular? You seem like you know your Barolos :) Fri Dec 21 09:26:06 -0800 2007 3227545 128359 jcoz23 3 3229675 I've not had the 2001 Fratelli... you might research it on cellartracker for others' tasting notes. As for the "ideal time" to drink it... For rich, great years like '01 I'd put your safe prime range at 15 to 20 years assuming good cellaring (with 20 years being the pinpoint ideal), although Barolo can easily evolve to 25-30 years or longer... Barolo has the added advantage of being among the most early-approachable great red wines. So although young, a 2001 IMO is much more drinkable now than a great bordeaux or a great barossa shiraz, for example, from the same harvest. Fri Dec 21 17:42:50 -0800 2007 3228395 42549 Chicago Mike 1 3229853 I agree with Chicago Mike that the ideal drinking window for great vintage Baroli starts at 15-20 years and stays open for another 15-20 years. However, I must respectfully disagree that they drink well young. My suggestion would be to look for a top producer's 1995. 95 was a very good vintage that was completely eclipsed by 1996 to 2001. Many of the wines are drinking beautifully now. Try wine-searcher.com. G Mascarello and both of the Conternos made terrific stuff that year. Fri Dec 21 19:29:54 -0800 2007 3226831 113095 jock 1 3229873 Barolo is made in two styles now. The old style requires a good deal of aging to come around -- 15 years or so. The new style is drinkable within 3 to 5 years. Believe me, after attending the Barolo Exposition a couple of years, plenty of Barolos are made in the 3-5 years style now. How do you know which style your Barolo is in? You have to ask. Or learn the new-style producers. Darn it. Fri Dec 21 19:36:16 -0800 2007 3226831 18222 maria lorraine 1 3230213 Personally, if you live in a state to which wine can be shipped, I would buy this: http://www.winebankwine.com/forsale/viewwine.php?idWineDescription=3659 -- it is a "modern" styled Barolo and absolutely phenominal right now. I would look mostly to the 2000 vintage. That is an extremely odd vintage for Barolo. The wines are wonderful but they drink like they are from the early '90s. '97 and '98s are also mostly open for business while '99s need time, as do many '96s. I have to dissagree with the poster who suggested '95s... I don't find them to be as good as any of the following 6 vintages. Some '01s are open for business -- the more modern styled ones such as those produced by Clerico -- while others are quite shut down (the Giacomo and Aldo Conternos, for example). Also, I have to say that even for traditional styled Barolos, I don't think they need quite as much age -- or are best with as much age -- as many other people do. I think everyone's 1990s, for example, are already in top form and while many will stay there for another 10 years, I don't think any (that I've tried, anyway) are getting any better. Sat Dec 22 01:26:51 -0800 2007 3226831 50041 whiner 1 3231259 Thanks to everyone for their responses. Husky, thanks for a great list of specific bottles. Mengathon, thanks for the barbaresco suggestions - and for the congratulations! When the degree pays off, I will explore more and more. Chicago Mike, based on your suggestions and the prices I have been running into, I think 2001 is the way to go. Jock and Maria Lorraine - whew - I knew I was getting in a little over my head. Since I have had a total of two glasses of mystery-barolo in my life, I think probably either style will work for my treat. Whiner - thanks for the link.... you got me wound up calling it "abolutely phenomenal" ....but.... I think I will get two bottles of the 2001 Brovia Barolo Rocche (found it for $52 on the internet), drink one now, and do my best to properly store the other until its optimal time. Perhaps it is the beginning of my wine "cellar!" If this sounds utterly wrong, someone holler! And thanks again for helping me with this fun project! Sat Dec 22 14:15:52 -0800 2007 3226831 60630 saticoy