2009 Barolo Le Rocche del Falletto
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Tasting notes
(white label): Medium red. Sexy, balsamic aromas of plum, mocha, truffle, menthol, nuts and earth. Fat and deep, with complex flavors of strawberry, raspberry, and menthol. Finishes very long, with substantial tongue-clenching tannins. (The problem in 2009 was getting full phenolic ripeness, said Francesco Versio. "In Barbaresco especially, we had to pick under very warm conditions, so the wines can sometimes have less ripeness and body and greener tannins.")
Critic scores
Average Score
Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
The purity of fruit to this is truly outstanding, with dried strawberries, spices and flowers, including roses. Full body with ultra-fine tannins and a beautiful fruit-tannin balance. Super-elegant. This is a joy to taste now but will reward those who are patient. Wait until 2016 and see.
The 2009 Barolo Le Rocche del Falletto graces the palate with dried cherries, tobacco, smoke, licorice and savory herbs. Rich, broad and ample at first, the 2009 has good depth but then loses some of its persistence on the finish. Sweet balsamic notes linger on the close. The color is already quite forward, as are flavors, but the 2009 should drink well for a handful of years. The energy, vibrancy and power of the best years is missing.
The 2009 Barolo Falleto Vigna Le Rocche comes from a south-facing parcel with steep slopes for well-draining soils. The vines are approximately 35 years old. There-s a touch of extra ripeness here, even a hint of strawberry, backed by rich berry fruit, cassis and blackberry. The wine shows its most elegant side in the mouth, where the firming, polished tannins give the wine backbone and grace. It-s deliciously silky and extra fine with microscopic precision. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2036. With the return of winemaker Dante Scaglione in 2011, the wines of Bruno Giacosa (the genius of Neive) continue to impress. Bruna Giacosa, Bruno's daughter, has taken over daily operations at the winery since her father suffered a stroke in 2006. Importer: Folio Fine Wine Partners, Napa, CA; tel. (707) 256-2700
About the producer
Bruno Giacosa – now run by daughter Bruna – is a cult Nebbiolo producer, that has consistently made some of the best single-vineyard Barbaresco and Barolo from the 1960s onwards. The“red-label” Riservas are some of the finest and most collectable wines in Italy.