89+ 1997 Moccagatta Barbaresco Bric Balin 1/31/09 ($40)
14% alc
Color: Medium brick orange-red. Looks totally peak, but not too old. (3.0) Bouquet: Spicy beef broth with cedar and autumn leaves. Pretty and forceful at the same time. (3.0) Body: Solid middleweight with very good acidity and tannin in balance with sufficient fruit. Coats the mouth with spicy cedar. (3.0) Flavor: Parallels bouquet, but not quite as complex or attractive. (2.5) Finish: Parallels flavor with some chalky acidity and power. Also more complexity returns. (3.0)
Overall: An interesting, mature Barbaresco with a complex bouquet and finish. The flavor in the mouth is more straight-forward and muted. Still has tannin and acidity to last and possibly gain more complexity in the next 2-3 years. Even now this is more about complexity and structure than fruit. As interesting as it is, I wouldn't quite call it exciting, so doesn't quite achieve an excellent rating for me. Decant an hour or so before serving. The bottom of the bottle showed more concentration and was excellent. (14.5)