1999 Barolo Monfortino Riserva

Forbiddingly tannic in its youth, the 1999 Barolo Riserva Monfortino has gradually begun to turn the corner in recent years. Today, the 1999 is exotic, sweet, perfumed and much more finessed than it was at the outset. There is still plenty of tannin, though, so readers need to be patient. Towering and vertical in its expression, the 1999 Monfortino nearly overwhelms all of the senses with its profound, utterly moving personality. The 1999 is an epic Monfortino. It's as simple as that.

I have always had a big crush on the 1999 Monfortino. Here it is the combination of sensual, virtually intoxicating perfume, focused fruit and structure that stands out most of all. The 1999 is naturally quite young, especially from magnum, but it is a head-turning beauty. I remember giving the 1999 a huge score when it was first released and going long on the wine. I am glad I did. In time, the 1999 will take its rightful place among the greatest Monfortinos ever made. Actually, it already has. Tasted from magnum.

The 1999 Barolo Riserva Monfortino, on the other hand, is a wine for the future. Massively constituted and tannic, the 1999 impresses for its super-classic personality. If I had to choose a modern-day Monfortino that might one day develop into something like the 1971 and/or 1978, the 1999 (along with the 1996) would be at the top of my list.