We recently celebrated our first full family get together in a year, owing to the remnants of COVID and scheduling constraints. Such an occasion calls for good wine (as does every occasion!), so we went to the cellar and pulled a few older bottles. Here’s what we found:
2015 Fontanafredda Barolo Serralunga d’Alba – so not that very old here for a Barolo, especially from Serralunga, which produces some of the more robust, earthy and rich wines from the region. But this has rounded out nicely, and presents a pretty classic Barolo profile with red fruits, floral and leather notes backed by firm tannins. I think this is going to be very good from now through another decade or two. Overall an excellent wine, which was fortunate as we opened a magnum.
2006 Grgich Hills Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon – this is an older Napa Cab, but you wouldn’t know it. 
The color was deep and vibrant with no amber or signs of age. The fruit was rich and youthful, framed with solid tannins and lots of flavor nuances. This has a long finish. Holding up beautifully and really still drinking like a youthful cab, there is a long life ahead for this wine. If you get a chance to grab some you don’t have to worry about it being past it’s prime. That is still somewhere in the future.
2001 La Rioja Alta Gran Reserva 904 – Twenty one years old, not a lot for a Rioja Gran Reserva really as they can, and generally do, age for decades. This one provided all of the complexity you would expect, with red fruit, tobacco, leather and some wood notes to name a few. The wine is noticeably lighter than expected, and the tannins are completely integrated. It drinks smooth, a little too smooth. This has kept the complexity but lost it’s depth and core strength. Don’t get me wrong, as it was a very enjoyable bottle, but not quite up to expectations and a wine that is just past its prime at this point.
We love older wines, which can gain in complexity and provide a very different and rewarding experience. These all fit that description, even if the Rioja was a little lacking. If you find the Barolo or the Napa Cab they are very much worth adding to your cellar.
A votre santé!
From the looks of it, you were all in for a treat! What a great way to celebrate reunification with your loved ones. Sad to hear the rioja was lacking; that is one of my favorite sleeper grapes to wow guests that aren’t in the industry.
Rioja is one of our sleeper grapes as well. This was a rare disappointment, and not bad in any way. Just not great.