Roberto Voerzio Barolo 1998 Tasting Notes
It’s going to be hard to write PASS against any Roberto Voerzio Barolo. If you can lay your hands on some of this rare and exclusive wine then really you should. These are some of the finest Barolos currently on the market and the 98 vintage was a superb across the board for RV Barolos.
I was lucky enough to try a range of ’98 Barolos at a meeting in Rome last month and have a couple of Mags of the Sarmassa scurried away for another day.
What follows are my attempted TNs on the 98 vintage. After the initial 4 glasses things started to become a little hazy and suddenly I loved everybody in the room, but, that’s just the effect these wines have and NOT because I was drunk.
Roberto Voerzio Barolo Sarmassa di Barolo 1998 – BUY
Lively and vivacious ruby red colour and still possessing very dark hues around the glass edge. Powerful aromas of tobacco and mocha with some spices and cinnamon coming through. The palate is seriously jammy with fruit concentrate coming through in spades, full bodied and luxurious tannins culminate in a 30 second finish that is memorable and satisfying. I bought two of these in magnum so I really do put my money where my mouth is with this baby. 96 Points
Roberto Voerzio Barolo Le Serra 1998 – PASS
Perfect ruby red colour with much lighter hues, the Barolo La Serra has an interesting nose of chocolate, cherries and spicebox. The palate is very tannic, aggressive and austere it clearly needs more time. R.V Barolo La Serra is normally better than this, for me, and considering the price, this is a pass. 90 Points
Perfect ruby red colour with much lighter hues, the Barolo La Serra has an interesting nose of chocolate, cherries and spicebox. The palate is very tannic, aggressive and austere it clearly needs more time. R.V Barolo La Serra is normally better than this, for me, and considering the price, this is a pass. 90 Points
Roberto Voerzio Barolo Brunate 1998 – BUY
An intense ruby red with brown/orange hues the Brunate is giving off super complexity with aromas of blackberries and cherries laced with mineral, licorice, tobacco, vanilla and pepper. This is a wine for nose people, seriously generous and complex. Yet the palate is more delicate, definitely tannic but it suits the wine. Suitably big finish with a super long length. A gentle giant, the Barolo Brunate offers masculine characteristics with a feminine and beautiful touch. I’m excited about this wine, its very good QPR esp for a R.V. 95 Points
Roberto Voerzio Barolo Cerequio 1998 – PASS
Intense dark ruby red with garnet hues. Very giving with aromas of roses, plums and spicebox. Still quite tannic needing another 5 years the Barolo is a little sweet for my tastes. Very fruity and jammy it will certainly please others. Very rich this is a wine for superior foods and special occasions. Structurally excellent with an amazing length on the finish, just not to my personal tastes. 92 Points
Intense dark ruby red with garnet hues. Very giving with aromas of roses, plums and spicebox. Still quite tannic needing another 5 years the Barolo is a little sweet for my tastes. Very fruity and jammy it will certainly please others. Very rich this is a wine for superior foods and special occasions. Structurally excellent with an amazing length on the finish, just not to my personal tastes. 92 Points
Roberto Voerzio Barolo Riserva Vecchie Viti dei Capalot Barolo 1998 – BUY
Super intense, dense purple colour with an all out attack on the nose. Berries, spices, jam and licorice merge to produce a really beautiful nose that can produce hours of entertainment. Full bodied in the palate with a big fruity character and a big finish. Jammy little fruit bomb waiting to go off, nicely worked tannins in a loose silky texture. Little hints of coffee on the mid palate. Cult wine at cult prices. Magnum only. 94 Points.
Writing about wine is great, except when I’ve finished I’m so worked up about the wines I want to pour another glass! I promised the Planeta range which we’ll do actually next week and also some Cabernet Sauvignons and Pinot Noirs from Lazio! I’m really looking forward to that should be a very interesting experiment. I already asked a question of the day which I’ll post again. Over and out!
Where can I buy this wine?
Advice is for the Barolo Brunate which is the highest rank in 75cl bottles.
Europeans – Weinhaus Schachner – €98
Americans – Bottle Shop – $150
Brits – Fine and Rare – £72
Question of the Day
Do you have a specific producer or bottle of wine that changed the way you drunk wine? How did it change and was it for the better?
Nice notes on the Voerzio range. Personally I prefer the Vecchie Viti :oD
1998 Albert Mann Riesling Furstentum Vendange Tardive. Had this at a restaurant in Stockholm with my wife for our 5th wedding anniversary. My wife would say it changed me for the worse because now every time we drink I make her embarressed. Haha
Actually in Barcelona at the Cava bar really got me into sparkling wines, now I love Prosecco, Cava still and a bit of Bubbly!
2003 Williams Selyem Zinfandel Feeney Vineyard really got me into wine last year. Tasted at the vineyards and immediately was turned onto wine.
I love Voerzios wines but they’re hard to come by in South America where I currently live. Go Roberto!