WTN: Brovia Barolo Villero 2008

Lockdown Wine #58. Pizza/pasta for dinner, so Italian. Quite a bit of browning going on, but I would say appropriate for its age and type. Nice nose. Coffee-ish. Red berry, and slightly balsamic note. Dried fruit (prune?) as well. Very soft, juicy, round. Good to go without needing any decanting. Ripe, crunchy berries. There's a woody note coming through. Good length. Tasting it without food, it's good, but just a a little better than ok. But with food, it's an absolute joy to drink. My note is so short because I drank it so fast and finished it before I could make any more detailed notes. Went well with a lot of stuff - fennel salad(!), pasta arrabiata, veg pizza, and prosciutto. It's not a typical Barolo. Certainly no tar and roses. But as a wine with food, fantastic!

[David M. Bueker]

My favorite Barolo producer.

My favorite Barolo producer.

Really? You mean Barolo the village or the appellation? I'm not disparaging Brovia - I've loved a lot of what I tasted - I just don't think I've ever ran into anyone who said that. Top 5/10 would not have surprised me, just the number 1 spot.

[David M. Bueker]

My favorite Barolo producer.

Really? You mean Barolo the village or the appellation? I'm not disparaging Brovia - I've loved a lot of what I tasted - I just don't think I've ever ran into anyone who said that. Top 5/10 would not have surprised me, just the number 1 spot.

Taking everything into account, it's my #1. If I could afford Mascarello or Conterno they might hold the top spot(s), but they have moved beyond my comfort zone.

One whole bottle (750ml) in one sitting?

Just half. The other half is still around.

Just half. The other half is still around.

Thanks for the data point. Galloni's 2012 review prophesied a 2018-2038 drinking window for the 08 Villero. I wonder how long the bottle was with the retailer before you acquired it?

Nico,

I believe this was a PWX bottle if I'm not mistaken, although it could possible be from Lester as well. In any case, I probably bought fairly soon after it arrived. At most just a couple of months with the retailer. PWX has better storage than Lester, but for a few months, it probably didn't make much of a difference.

Jay

Thanks for the notes, I'm a Brovia fan, but don't seem to have this (have '07 in mags, seems to have done well for a hot year)

Nico,

I believe this was a PWX bottle if I'm not mistaken, although it could possible be from Lester as well. In any case, I probably bought fairly soon after it arrived. At most just a couple of months with the retailer. PWX has better storage than Lester, but for a few months, it probably didn't make much of a difference.

Jay

A few years ago I was gifted with an 08 Garblet Sue, so likely of the same provenance as your bottle. It’s been in ref since. Given your note, I ought not to hesitate opening it within the next few years.