2008 Barolo Falletto Vigna Le Rocche Riserva
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Tasting notes
The 2008 Barolo Riserva Le Rocche del Falletto is served blind. It doesn’t matter. The wine is awkward and deeply disappointing, as it has always been. I first tasted the 2008 Riserva in November 2009. Right then I knew there was a problem. But I hoped the wine would come around. It never has, and it never will. Grainy in feel, short and completely uninteresting, not to mention galaxies away from being in any way profound, the 2008 Riserva is among the weakest wines Bruno Giacosa ever put into bottle.
Critic scores
Monica Larner, Wine Advocate
The Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
(to be released in January): Good deep red. Redcurrant, plum, sexy brown spices, menthol, marzipan, licorice and a balsamic element on the nose; Bruna compares this wine to the supernal 2000 bottling. The palate delivers a captivating combination of ineffable perfume and buns of steel, with strong acidity giving definition to the flavors of rose petal, exotic spices, truffle and underbrush. Offers lovely breadth with a weightless quality. Really echoes and vibrates on the back end, finishing with huge but sweet tannins that reach the front teeth and explosive tangy red fruits. Should be fairly long-lived but will it have the finesse of the 2000?
Amazing nose of chocolate, orange peel, plums and hazelnut. Full-bodied, with super fine tannins and a long finish. Intense with a beautiful line of fine tannins that go on for minutes. Superb. 10,000 bottles made. February 2014 release. Leave it for at least four or five years before drinking!
(to be released in 2014): Good deep red. Highly nuanced nose combines crushed cherry, orange peel, menthol, tobacco and dried flowers. Wonderfully rich and complex; fatter, rounder and silkier than the Falletto classico , but with a magically light touch for such a plush wine. Finishes very long and vibrant, with sweet, thoroughly buffered tannins. As young as this is now, it was already fun to taste owing to its balance and personality.
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.