Oddero Barolo 1978

Reticent on the nose yet evolving rich hints of macerated flowers, sandalwood, tar and wet animal fur in the glass. This is continues to be decidedly matte feeling with plenty of fleshy fruit backed up by rich, slightly chewy tannins. The fruit is dark with earthy, leathery tones and excellent length but this still has a touch of an undeveloped feel. It’s rich and lusty if a touch rustic and may remain so. 92pts

October 2009

Another fine bottle yet this one was a touch leaner than the last. Still full of animal funk on the nose though the herbal quality was a bit more pronounced with an almost green coffee bean edge. In the mouth the wines dances across the palate with it's wonderful structural integration. There is plenty of sour cherry fruit and a decidedly tertiary edge to the funghi and earth tones that linger on the long finish. With pasta in mushroom reduction sauce it was wonderful. Dad liked it too! 2008-2020 91pts

December 2008

This retains a fantastic, burnished ruby color that is gently edged in orange and classically pale. Apon opening the nose is redolent with spicy tones of salumi, licorice, prune and tobacco. there is a nuance of bouillon and a top note of grassy herbaceousness as well as the sweet, earthyness of boiled pigs tendon and hints of dry, chalky earth. After 3 hours the nose offers up intense floral tones and complex notes of middle eastern spices over a bed of bright simmering raspberry fruit. Nuanced with notes of asphalt, cigar ash, nettle and sweet licorice adding depth to the very complex and increasingly read more...gamey fruit. This was hightoned and acid driven right out of the bottle with sour, yellow cherry fruit, moderate tannins and good balance if tight right out of the bottle. the finish was lovely with a juicy purity that bade well for the future. After 3 hours this was big and brawny with powerful structure. The fruit had turned very dark and tarry on the midpalate which was chewy and dense with dried tree bark and rich earth tones accenting this taught, dense core of fruit. Still youthfull this offers exceptional complexity and depth on the nose but the palate has yet to catch up. Should only improve 2008-2025    (hide)

September 2008

This opens with a bit of animal funk, penetrating and fairly intense with limestone, red cherry and leather notes dominating though there are nice grace notes of Red Hots and a light underlay of Golia candy and animal fur. This is surprisingly silky and elegant in the mouth though the tannins are a touch rustic, particularly across the midpalate. Good acids and fine focus if a bit restricted in the mouth. Here again is a touch of coffee but it’s a sweetish espresso crema note to the dark fruits. This is lovely tonight, authentic and pure Barolo that speaks of its time. Fine drinking but with a long read more...life ahead of it. 2008-2025 91pts    (hide)

October 2008

This retains a fantastic, burnished ruby color that is gently edged in orange and classically pale. Apon opening the nose is redolent with spicy tones of salumi, licorice, prune and tobacco. there is a nuance of bouillon and a top note of grassy herbaceousness as well as the sweet, earthyness of boiled pigs tendon and hints of dry, chalky earth. After 3 hours the nose offers up intense floral tones and complex notes of middle eastern spices over a bed of bright simmering raspberry fruit. Nuanced with notes of asphalt, cigar ash, nettle and sweet licorice adding depth to the very complex and increasingly read more...gamey fruit.This was hightoned and acid driven right out of the bottle with sour, yellow cherry fruit, moderate tannins and good balance if tight right out of the bottle. the finish was lovely with a juicy purity that bade well for the future. After 3 hours this was big and brawny with powerful structure. The fruit had turned very dark and tarry on the midpalate which was chewy and dense with dried tree bark and rich earth tones accenting this taught, dense core of fruit. Still youthfull this offers exceptional complexity and depth on the nose but the palate has yet to catch up. Should only improve 2008-2025    (hide)

April 2008