1990 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Gallina di Nieve

I really didn't expect much from this wine---had it standing up like a bowling pin with another 6 or 8 bottles that were felt to be history and just needed to be "pronounced". I just didn't believe barbaresco was a wine style destined to last 20+ years.

First thing that amazed me was the vibrant ruby color with no bricking. Cork was in great shape as well. These things didn't stop me from taking a big swallow while in close proximity to the sinek with the expectations of finding little residual fruit or tannins-----which is why I nearly choked on that first taste----it was really kicking!! The fruit in this wine is amazing! Clear, linear, focused sweet and semi-ripe cherries with a long palate. A hint of minerals and a barely detectable transition to perfectly balanced tannins with a soft breeze of menthol and pine on the finish.   Wines like this make you feel vindicated for the effort it takes to cellar a wine this long and to keep from opening it sooner.   98 points.

Ardeis in Seminole

PS-- for perspective I was in my junior year of medical school when these grapes were harvested.