Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto

Bruno Giacosa makes arguably the world’s best Barolo from his estates in the crus of La Morra and Serralunga the most revered being the Barolo Falletto (Serralunga) White Label and the Barolo Le Rocche del Falletto Red Label. The red label bottles have cult status in the wine world fetching incredible prices at auction for the very best vintages.

Luckily I get my Giacosa Barolo from Italian Ebay and usually in magnum for a third of the price you fork over on top wine sites in the States and the UK. I have yet to purchase a 2004 but in anticipation am going to share my notes on the last 5 vintages I’ve had the pleasure of sampling. I hope to visit this estate in the coming summer and will bring back a report on all Bruno’s wine’s including the world’s best Barbaresco and some rather good white numbers.

Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto 1998 – BUY – €85
Pale brick red colour, looks a little dirty and cloudier than the other wines we had but the hues were surprisingly dark for the age. A beautiful expressive nose the second it was uncorked, berries, cherry, strawberries; acres of ripe fruits. The palate was like velvet with complimentary tannins and exceptional length. Breathtaking. The wine came from magnum – 97 Points

Bruno Giacosa Barolo le Rocche de Falletto Riserva 1999 – BUY – €115
Tre Bicchieri Rocche del Falletto appears a clean mid red in the glass and quickly offers up a memorable nose, clean, fruit overload with strawberries showing quickly with a floral and mineral aroma playing backup. The palate is so rich, opulent and light, this is a very feminine, balanced and delicate wine. A wine that benefits from decanting and changes from hour to hour, really complex and enjoyable experience. The finish is among the longest I can recall. For those who loves a structured and complex wine – 96 Points

Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto 2000 – BUY – €80
A really deep, intense ruby red with slight brownish hues typical of Barolo. Spectacular nose, truly opulent with plums, raspberries, and tar turning floral at the end. The palate is thick and jammy, really full bodied, sweet with berries and strikenly fresh and silky with perfectly balanced tannins. The finish is focused yet subtle and lasts a good half minute. Delicious wine that will improve over the next 10 years – 95 Points

Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto 2001 – BUY – €80
Lovely dark and rich ruby red. The nose is all Barolo for me, dark fruits, plummy, sweet, a little spicy with a nice mineral quality. The palate is really full and fruity, lush and thick with more of those dark fruits coming through on great silky tannis, really good finish to this wine, terrific length. The 2001 is a really solid effort, very satisfying – 94 Points

Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto 2003 – PASS – €70
The nose takes a long time to bring anything to the table, getting some vanilla and plums but really reticent nose here. The palate is better, very sweet and full boded, good tannic quality and a decent finish. Not much here yet. Blame the vintage – 90 Points

Where can I buy this wine? (98 Vintage)
Europeans – Enoteca San Dominico – €85
Americans – European Wine Resource – $128
Brits – Fine and Rare – £67

Question of the Day
If you could visit any vineyard in the world which would it be and why?