The current Gramolere cru bottling from G. Manzone is sourced from higher altitude parcels which are more tannic in style and long-lived. Not sure where the vineyard source(s) are for this '70 normale bottling but I thought: "characteristically more tannic and higher altitude equals longevity in a good vintage". Plus the provenance seems to be good because when I opened the wine, a beautiful nose of florals sprang forth, which boded well. The wine was sound with that graceful elegance one looks for in 40+ year old Barolo :)
Fruit still hanging in there with hints of brett that were not off-putting (and dissipated over the course of the evening). I've had better bottles from Piemonte's 1971 and 1978 vintages, but this 1970 is a very likeable wine that beautifully complemented grilled bone in pork chops, arancini and shrooms oreganata.
Lots of sediment. Double decanted back into clean bottle. This wine didnt need a lot of time to open up, but the gossamer tannins did take on an ethereal sweetness as the evening progressed. Photo captures my "coffee filter press run" process that works well for extracting the portion of the wine with the best flavor without the sediment!
There was some nice complexity to complement the elegance. Intriguingly delicious so that it was nice to roll it around and appreciate its history unveiled.
What can I say? ... I enjoy old wines !
As a great counterpoint in age, we popped and poured a 2011 F. Alessandria Gramolere. Taking Marius' advice, we eschewed decanting and just let it open up in the glass. About an hour later it was drinking beautifully. I love this wine. We've gone through a half case recently and are going back for more.
http://lestastevinsdulac.blogspot.com/2016/04/2011-fratelli-alessandria-barolo.html?m=1
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