Producer: Marcarini   
Region: Barolo, Piedmont, Italy  
Varietal: Nebbiolo   
Year: 1997 

John Gilman, 91 Points 

"The 1997 Marcarini Brunate shows just a touch of its hot vintage character in its ever so slightly roasted character, but this is a deep, structured and serious example of the vintage that is just beginning to drink well and clearly has many years of life still ahead of it. The deep, ripe and classy nose offers up scents of gently baked cherries, hazelnuts, road tar, fresh herbs, smoke, camphor, a touch of blood orange and a lovely topnote of roses. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and very fresh for a ’97 Barolo, with still just a bit of firm tannin to drop on the backend, lovely focus and balance, bright acids and superb length and grip on the complex finish. There is a tad more mid-palate stuffing here than in other hot vintages, such as 1990, as perhaps the yields were not as high in ’97. One of my favorite examples of the 1997 vintage in Barolo. (Drink between 2010-2035)" 

Wine Spectator, 90 Points 

"Medium ruby red color. Aromas of black cherry and cloves. Full-bodied, with very silky tannins and a long, rich finish. Almost decadent. Turns a little meaty, with mushroom. Just coming around.--1997 Italian blind retrospective." 

Wine Advocate, 

"This wine is closed at present, so it ultimately may merit an even higher rating. Sweet and elegant, as well as complex, the dark ruby-colored 1997 Barolo Brunate reveals aromas of cigar box and cherry jam as well as a sweet attack with notes of minerals, subtle spicy wood, firm tannin, and medium to full body." 

Alcohol: 14% 

*Discounts do not apply to items like this one in the Fine & Rare category. Price and availability in store may vary.