Italian quartet

Dinner at Yong Fu.

First pair:

1995 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Montfortino Riserva - decanted more than 1½ hours after opening, but the wine did not open up after another 15 minutes. There was some woodsy fragrance along with a little mint. After more than 30 minutes in the decanter this was a little more open. Certainly the more tannic of the pair, but the acidity was there. After another 40 minutes, and about 3 hours after first opening, the wine was finally open, and we had more fruit showing.

1998 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Santo Stefano di Neive Riserva - this was more mature and more advanced of the pair, with the color being lighter and more amber. The wine was more fragrant in the mouth, much more oxidized, and more flamboyant. After another 30 minutes this became pretty savory and showing soy sauce, but at the same time this was still caramelized, nutty, and sweet. Beautiful.

Second pair:

2010 Roagna Barbaresco Crichët Pajé - I could feel the richness and the power of the wine, but this just wasn't very open even after an hour in the decanter. It did get better later on, but was showing a little toasty as well as a little dusty.

2010 Giuseppe Mascarello Barolo Monprivato Cà d'Morissio Riserva - nose was minty, and the wine felt younger and fresher. The acidity was definitely higher. This was open enough and drinking pretty well.

Full post on dinner is here.