2004 Barbaresco Valeirano
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Tasting notes
(bottled in magnums): Good bright, deep red. Musky, wild aromas of dark berries, truffle, tobacco and game, complicated by a saline element. Then silky-sweet, concentrated and still young on the palate, with the deep truffley quality giving another dimension to the wine's intense berry fruit. Finishes lightly salty and long, with harmonious oak. There's no rush to drink this wine, and it may yet improve with more time in bottle. The oak is apparent here but as a group these 2004 have nicely absorbed their new barrique influence.
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Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Good full red, a bit less fresh than the Starderi. Slightly roasted aromas of wild strawberry, game, truffle and brown spices. Fat, round and sweet, with a distinctly carnal truffle and game character. Not quite as delineated as the Gallina but there's still very good life to the plump flavors. Finishes with big, ripe tannins and some apparent oak.
The 2004 Barbaresco Valeirano is even better. Made in a fresher, more structured style than the Gallina, it is a gorgeous, poised wine with ripe fruit, menthol, spices, truffles and sweet toasted oak notes. Still backward, it is the most structured of these 2004 Barbarescos, and will require patience.
The 2004 Barbaresco Valeirano is even better than the Gallina. Made in a fresher, more structured style than the Gallina, it is a gorgeous, poised wine with ripe fruit, menthol, spices, truffles and sweet toasted oak notes. Still backward, it is the most structured of these 2004 Barbarescos, and will require patience. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2018. This is a very strong set of releases from La Spinetta and proprietor Giorgio Rivetti. The 2004 Barbarescos are easily the best of his career. The wines still see 100% new French oak, but toast levels have been reduced and the Barbarescos now spend 12 months in oak rather than the 18 months they saw in previous vintages. Both changes have had a remarkably positive effect in allowing more site-specific character and Nebbiolo fruit to come through. The 2003 Barolo Campè shows that Rivetti is making important strides with this wine as well. Only the 2005 Barberas are disappointing, but that is not entirely surprising given the uneven growing season. In the past La Spinetta was an estate that relied just as much on style as substance. The 2004 Barbarescos, and especially the Starderi, are the first wines that truly live up to the glamorous image that Giorgio Rivetti has masterfully succeeded in creating. Importer: Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300