1999 Costa Russi
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Tasting notes
Smoke, tar, roses, incense are some of the nuances that emerge as the1999 Costa Russi unfurls in the glass. A blast of dark black fruit follows as this muscular wine opens up in the glass. Costa Russi is often a much softer wine, but in 2009 it is decidedly brooding and intense. Here, too, the aromas and flavors are still quite primary. Darker notes of smoke, scorched earth, French oak and tar are layered into the finish. I imagine the barrels might had higher toast in the late 1990s than they do today. There is so much to like here.
Critic scores
Average Score
The Wine Advocate
Daniel Thomases, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
Dark ruby. The 1999 Costa Russi is a soft, supple effort for the vintage, with a deeply nuanced nose and a rich core of sweet dark fruit buffered by prominent minerality on the seamless, long palate. Although not especially complex, this Costa Russi exhibits an elegance and finesse in its understated expression, and it is undoubtedly a highly enjoyable wine. True to type, it is also the most accessible of the single-vineyard wines from Barbaresco. It should age gracefully until at least age 20.
Deep red-ruby. Reticent aromas of dark fruits, minerals and bitter chocolate. Vibrant, delineated and penetrating, with intense dark berry flavors. Finishes very long and lively, with a firm tannic spine and excellent thrust and grip.
The 1999 Costa Russi, penetrating, intense, and spicy with notes of saddle leather and chocolate, is ripe, round, and fresh in flavor with the customary elegance and satin of tannins which have long distinguished it. Anticipated maturity: 2005-2017. Importer: Paterno Imports, Lake Bluff, IL; tel. (847) 604-89000
About the producer
Gaja has been at the forefront of the Piedmont wine scene for many years and is Barbaresco’s most decorated producer. The winery has received a record number of Gambero Rosso Tre Bicchieri awards – the highest accolade from Italy’s leading wine publication.