Gathered for a recent blind tasting of nebbiolo for a local group that is really new to the grape. I brought an older one because I knew nobody else would and someone threw in a ringer just for fun's sake.
1 Medium in color, a weird off-putting aroma from the bottle. Red fruited, slight alcohol, soft, a bit of hard candy.
Tannin comes across as sweet. B
[Renato Ratti, Langhe Nebbiolo, 'Ochetti', 2011]
2 Darker color, perfumed nose. Spicy black cherry, camphor and menthol on the finish. More structured.
Modern. Dark and brooding, and young. My guess a 2006? B/B+
[Cigliuti, Barbaresco, 'Vigne Erte', 2004]
3 Nose very mute, almost non-existent. Glycerin and alcohol. Sweet, but simple. Strong menthol. Very modern
in feel. A 2007? B
[Prodduttori, Barbaresco, 2008] A big shock to me, as this was so loopy and simple I never would have
guessed a producer whose wines I've always enjoyed. So different from their 2006.
4 Menthol nose, feels a bit closed, almondine. Very structured with fine tannin. A 2006 or 2001? Quite a bit of sediment. Cheating a bit, as the mature feel gave this away as my bring. A-
[Marcarini, Barolo, 'Brunate', 1999]
Before the tasting, I decanted it and recanted it. The best nose on this was when I first opened it, the first 5 minutes it filled the air with roses and tar, replaced with mushroom and damp earth after decanting.
5 Oaky, smoothish, fruity. Spanish? Modern Rioja? Definately the ringer.
[Ciacci, Rosso di Montalcino, 2010]
6 Dark colored with dark fruits, menthol. Very youthful, mint, plums, some bubblegum on the finish. Alcoholic
kick on the end. A bit simple. B+ Good structure though and should age 8-10 years. 2007 or 09?
[Antiche Cantine dei Marchesi, Barolo, 2007]
Ah, finally got the year right!
7 Dark, spice notes. Clove, floral quality. Not very memorable one way or the other.
[Seghesio, Langhe Nebbiolo, 2011]
Non-blind: Vajra, Langhe Nebbiolo, 2010
Wanted to get an early check on the 2010 vintage, and if it shows as well as this bottle, will be an excellent
year. Very fresh, sea plum, good acidity. Joyous bottle.