Gattinara, Vercelli, Piedmont, Italy
Antoniolo’s Osso San Grato is the benchmark Gattinara for me ~ in 2014 I was very impressed by a 1995 that was truly “in the zone” ~ so I was very much looking forward to the 2007 I’ve been storing for six years ~ now my understanding of 2007 is that there was a warm and dry winter followed by an evenly warm summer without heat spikes ~ that the growing season started and ended earlier than normal but basically was as long in duration as an average season ~ my understanding also is that Gattinara is generally cooler than Barolo and Barbaresco
We drank this bottle over the course of 2 nights ~ the 1st she required food to show her best ~ the 2nd she revealed herself openly ~ her sultry perfume was composed of roses and violets, potpourri, cinnamon, clove cigarettes, menthol, mushroom broth, cherry liqueur and pastilles ~ though a vein of acidity does run down the length of the wine, the palate was dominated by the flavor of dark, syrupy and plummy cherries and a textural richness like soft licorice ~ a really good wine, yet it is this latter part I wasn’t completely prepared for
Antoniolo’s Osso San Grato is the benchmark Gattinara for me ~ in 2014 I was very impressed by a 1995 that was truly “in the zone” ~ so I was very much looking forward to the 2007 I’ve been storing for six years ~ now my understanding of 2007 is that there was a warm and dry winter followed by an evenly warm summer without heat spikes ~ that the growing season started and ended earlier than normal but basically was as long in duration as an average season ~ my understanding also is that Gattinara is generally cooler than Barolo and Barbaresco
We drank this bottle over the course of 2 nights ~ the 1st she required food to show her best ~ the 2nd she revealed herself openly ~ her sultry perfume was composed of roses and violets, potpourri, cinnamon, clove cigarettes, menthol, mushroom broth, cherry liqueur and pastilles ~ though a vein of acidity does run down the length of the wine, the palate was dominated by the flavor of dark, syrupy and plummy cherries and a textural richness like soft licorice ~ a really good wine, yet it is this latter part I wasn’t completely prepared for
Oddly oxidized tomato stew floral animal herbaceous with lots of tannin
Oddly oxidized tomato stew floral animal herbaceous with lots of tannin
Mar 10th, 2015Le Castelle 2007. Incredible vineyard. Floral on top power underneath.
Le Castelle 2007. Incredible vineyard. Floral on top power underneath.
Apr 14th, 2014
Pure, focused, bright, and clean. An enjoyable departure from typical "rustic" Italian wines.
Pure, focused, bright, and clean. An enjoyable departure from typical "rustic" Italian wines.
Feb 7th, 2014
On point and singing. Continue to see the 2007s quietly surpass the accolades of 2004 and 2006 in Italy. Perfect wine to bring for a trip to A16 in SF.
On point and singing. Continue to see the 2007s quietly surpass the accolades of 2004 and 2006 in Italy. Perfect wine to bring for a trip to A16 in SF.
Jan 19th, 2014
Extremely acidic after opening, in one hour got balanced to classic Nebbiolo style, what a turnaround!
Extremely acidic after opening, in one hour got balanced to classic Nebbiolo style, what a turnaround!
Nov 3rd, 2019Silky smooth and finally coming together on day 3. Dry, dusty with cherries, earth and plenty of acidity. Tannins eventually softened.
Silky smooth and finally coming together on day 3. Dry, dusty with cherries, earth and plenty of acidity. Tannins eventually softened.
Aug 14th, 2015
