On Jun 11, 4:28�pm, DaleW > wrote:
> Recently I've had good showings on old Barolos from "second tier"
> producers. But what about Barolo from �a good-but-not-great vintage
> from a 3rd (or 4th) tier producer?
>
> Yesterday I had a couple errands in the city, when to Chambers St to
> pick up a mixed case I had waiting, and to briefly say hello to
> Oswaldo who was in town overnight (and who very generously gave me a
> bottle of Scholium Project!). While I parked by hydrant, CSW staff
> threw my wine in van, and I had a sec to chat with Oswaldo. He was
> looking in the sale bin, and said "hey, they've got 1982 Barolo in
> here for $25." Hey, great store, good looking bottle, who's going to
> let a little detail like not knowing the producer stop me? So I bought
> a bottle (even got the case discount), and I think Oswaldo bought
> another.
>
> I stopped by house about noon and left wines on counter. Normally I
> believe in 24 hours upright if possible, but when it came time for
> dinner (duck breast in a red wine/demiglace sauce over salad) I gave
> Betsy the choice of older Barolo or younger Burg, she said Barolo, and
> I opened the 1982 Tenuta Montanello (Monchiero) Barolo. Good cork,
> clean label (probably recent),. Yeah, a bit murky, more time to rest
> after travel would have been wise. A bit of brown/orange to the color,
> but nice Nebbiolo nose of cherries, violets and tar, with some citrus
> zest. On the palate however it seemed a bit tired, meager red fruit
> with the acids sticking out a bit. However, never count out Nebbiolo.
> Hey, second pour has more vigor and fruit, and third is a slight
> improvement over that. A small glass about 10 (I think opened around
> 7) is best of all- there's nothing profound or complex here, but �a
> solid mature midweight with cherries, roses, a bit of forest floor and
> tar. Still an edge of tiredness, but fun, and well worth my $22.50
> plus tax. There's a good glass plus left, we'll see if it survived the
> night. B
>
> Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent
> wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't
> drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no
> promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.

Nice when that happens. Let us know your impressions of the
Scholium. I haven't had one yet that I've enjoyed but they are
interesting.