1999 Giuseppe Mascarello Barolo 'Monprivato'

Source: PJs

Consumption Date: 12/28/2013

Notes: Fantastic ethereal aroma of flowers, truffles (perhaps), and a hint of tar, along with other notes I can’t identify.  Full rich body with an fine depth of dark cherry fruit with more floral, truffle, and earth notes along with a faint hint of tar and an enticing acidity with subtle mineral notes.  Finishes long with more fruit, earth, truffles, and mineral acidity with a nice framing note of dry wood.  Moderate tannin.

This is my first Barolo in quite some time and it has been a great surprise and a tremendous pleasure.  A wine like this makes it easy to see how people can become obsessed with Barolo.  As soon as the cork was out of the bottle, the tremendous perfume and promise of this wine was apparent.  The first sips bore out this promise and it has continued with each sip.  This wine has a pleasing complexity with a unique, penetrating aroma and flavor that are nearly beyond description.  An interesting combination or richness, elegance, and weightiness.  Easily the most memorable and enjoyable wine I have had in some time.

Value: Excellent

2009 Lazio Bianco IGT 'Coenobium' (Monastero Suore Cistercensi)

Importer: Rosenthal

Source: Suburban

Consumption Date: 12/4/2013

Notes: Deep golden yellow color.  Mild floral and citrus aromas (orange blossom?) with a hint of wet stone.   Full-bodied with mild citrus (more orange than lemon) and almond notes with some wet stone minerality.  Moderate finish with similar notes, perhaps with the almond/nutty note more prominent.

This is a pleasant, if somewhat unremarkable Italian white.  The color and full body were unexpected, but pleasurable, as was the orange citrus character (though mild).  Not enough acidity to make the flavors pop and the wine racy and exciting.  Should be a good accompaniment to simple pasta, but not interesting enough for further contemplation or exploration.

Value: Average