1989 Marcarini "Brunate" Barolo (1.5L)

Our 1990 Brunate was corked, but the 1989 was utterly pristine, and I would have been crushed if it had been the 1989 that was off and the 1990 that was in good condition, as the difference in quality between the legendary 1989s and the overrated and simply solid 1990s is very, very large. The 1989 is the greatest young Brunate I have ever tasted from Marcarini, offering up a magical bouquet of black cherries, raw cocoa, beautifully complex soil tones, woodsmoke, just a touch of camphor, dried roses, fresh almonds and a dollop of road tar. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and magically pure, with a rock solid core of sappy fruit, seamless, ripe tannins, superb acids and laser-like focus on the very, very long, refined and powerful finish. This has everything one could ever ask for in a great bottle of Brunate, and today, all this legend in waiting needs is a bit more hibernation time in the cellar. 96+

Smooth and polished, with an elegant beam of raspberry, cherry, spice and rose petal lighting up the aromas and flavors, sweet tannins swarming over the finish. Still, the fruit shines through. *Top 100 Wines of 1993*