1999 Barolo Percristina
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Tasting notes
Clerico's 1999 Barolo Percristina is a dark, sumptuous beauty. Chocolate, menthol, black fruit, leather and spices flesh out in a round, resonant Barolo with no hard edges and fabulous overall balance. This gorgeous Barolo captures the essence of the full-throttle modern style that was all the rage at the time.
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Dark ruby. The 1999 Percristina caps off this dazzling series of 1999 Barolos. It offers an expressive nose of licorice and tar, along with layers of sweet dark fruit in a big, muscular style. While it does not possess the complexity of Clerico's Barolos from Ginestra, the more full-throttle Percristina provides immense drinking pleasure even at this early stage of its life, although it will be even better in a few years.
The 1999 Barolo Per Cristina demonstrates the clear superiority of this vintage compared to 2000 – Ciabot Mentin Ginestra is Clerico’s best vineyard, but this year Per Christina his best wine. Very ripe on the nose, but with a freshness and vigor which make it seem like a very young wine indeed, its aromas of raspberry, anisette, and chocolate are accompanied by a powerhouse palate, very creamy and sensual in texture, strong and long with firm and caressing tannins and an explosive but sweet finish. It should be good for over 15 years of additional pleasure. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300, Vin Divino, Chicago, IL; tel. (773) 334-6700, and Estate Wines, Ltd., San Rafael, CA; tel. (415) 492-9411
Note that this is not a 2000. Smoky, focused, severe and classic. Tough tannins again and very chewy. Dusty but convincing – for the very patient... (JR)