1978 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Le Rocche di Castiglione Falletto
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Tasting notes
1978 is one of the all-time legendary Barolo vintages. An irregular flowering resulted in the plants carrying very little fruit that year. The grapes were thick-skinned and yielded massively tannic wines, many of which are still quite youthful today. It was also a defining vintage for Bruno Giacosa, who released a number of extraordinary wines, three of which we tasted. This bottle of the 1978 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione was the finest I have ever had. Many tasters actually preferred it to the Red Label Riservas from the same vintage that followed, perhaps because it is the closest of these 1978 Barolos to being ready to drink. It showed the open, generous aromatics that are typical of the Rocche vineyard along with beautifully delineated layers of fruit that provided much enjoyment. The Rocche di Castiglione has always been the most accessible of Giacosa’s 1978 Barolos and we were fortunate to catch it at a glorious peak of its expression. It was simply breathtaking. (AG)
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
We then moved on to a flight of Bruno Giacosa's Barolos from the historic 1978 vintage that were strategically served after the Santo Stefanos in anticipation of their greater structure. This turned out to be a great call. I was amazed at the richness and liveliness of color that all three wines displayed. The wines were also incredibly youthful and firmly structured with big, imposing tannins. These are Barolos that will appeal to those who appreciate traditionally made wines, but the massive, imposing tannins may not be for everyone. 1978 Giacosa Barolo Rocche di Castiglione - Dark red. The 1978 Barolo Rocche di Castiglione is a stunning wine. It opens with the perfumed, aromatic nose that is so typical of the Rocche vineyard, with slightly evolved notes just beginning to appear. On the palate it reveals layers of macerated cherry fruit on a deceptively medium-bodied frame with outstanding length and freshness on the finish. It is the most accessible of these 1978 Giacosas. The wine's notable balance, seductive appeal and overall harmony led several tasters to place it among the top wines of the evening.
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.