1997 Barolo Falletto - Bruno Giacosa

[winemind]

I tried the 1997 Barolo from Bruno Giacosa and it was candied fruit with a large percentage veering off into a cola-flavor with little left in it. I wonder if any tasters have had a similar experience given Giacosa is one of my favorite producers?

[Nebbhead9]

Winemind,

My notes are a bit sparse but had it a few months back. I recall a beautiful nose of ripe red fruits but not so sweet that I would call it candied. Wine was a bit linear, and didn't yield some of the secondary notes/flavors I thought it would. Drinking beautifully now. Not sure if it will improve much from here but I imagine it will continue to offer great pleasure for at least another decade.

[Boomer24]

I will have to agree with Nebbhead on this one. I had a bottle 6-8 months ago and was a bit disappointed in the lack of secondary flavors and complexity. After 3 hours of decanting it did improve but still not quite what I remembered it being 5 years ago or so. I also had a bottle of the 1996 Giacosa Falletto last spring and that was simply heaven in a glass. About 2 months ago I tried the 1996 Giacosa Barbaresco Asili and was very impressed with that one as well. The 96 is emerging as the superior vintage in my opinion...at least as it concerns Giacosa. I am planning on trying a 1997 Gaja Sperss next month for my 40th b-day...I have yet to try this wine but will be curious to see if it has the same lack of complexity as the 97 Giacosa Falletto.

[Nebbhead9]

I am planning on trying a 1997 Gaja Sperss next month for my 40th b-day...I have yet to try this wine but will be curious to see if it has the same lack of complexity as the 97 Giacosa Falletto.

Boom,

Looking forward to your tasting notes on the '97 Sperss. I think you will find it more complex, and intellectually stimulating than Giacosa's baseline Falletto.