1996 Giacosa, Bruno - Barolo Riserva Falletto (Red Label) Nebbiolo - Italy - Piedmont - Barolo - Serralunga - Red

Deep, saturated ruby-red. Explosive nose offers the full range of Barolo perfume: black cherry, black raspberry, rose petal, marzipan, licorice, menthol, leather, minerals. A wine of monumental scale but utterly suave and clear as a bell thanks to bracing balancing acids and superb tannic backbone. Great depth and vinosity; really expands in the glass and on the palate. The fruit explodes on the endless, ripely tannic finish. The full Barolo experience in 3-D and technicolor. To be released in 2002.

Deep red. Giacosa's 1996 Riserva Falletto is a stunning Barolo. It is delicate and powerful at the same time, exhibiting a compelling, exotic nose of spices, licorice and tar along with a tightly wound core of fruit that gradually opens in the glass, revealing this wine's profound personality. Just beginning to show some secondary aromas and flavors, it offers a wonderful juxtaposition of primary fruit and freshness along with more complex notes that have developed in the bottle. I found myself totally immersed in this Barolo and imagine it will offer those lucky enough to own bottles an unforgettable drinking experience for several decades. An Azienda Agricola Falletto di Bruno Giacosa bottling.

Terrific aromas of crushed fruit, Indian spices and dried flowers follow though to a full-bodied palate, with silky tannins and a long, long finish. Just a baby, but very balanced and pretty.