Contratto Barolo

Drank some awesome Barolo the other night. We popped a bottle of Contratto Barolo "Secolo" 1990 from the famed Cerequio Vineyard the other night. The wine was, as they say "Off The Chain" Incrediable, and everything you expect in a great Barolo, from a stellar vintage, aged properly for 20 years. This Boys and Girls is how great Barolos are meant to be drunk, "Old." Yes, Barolo, made of 100% Nebbiolo from the best grapes, grown on the best sights are meant to drink with some age on them. The wine was textbook Barolo, smelling and tasting of Violets, Tar, and Alcohol Soaked Bing Cherries. "Yumm" is all I can say. Why pontificate with overrun adjectives and descriptions of taste and aromas, all marvelously delicious to say the least. On a 100 point scale, this wine easily rates a 98, so all you need to know is that it was delicious, just about perfect and rates a 98. Nuff said. I first tasted this wine at a luncheon with Vineyard owner Antonella Boccino way back in 1997. The wine was of course more zippy and youthful back in 97. And now 15 years later it has now been aged into utter perfection. If you have or could possibly find a bottle, and you drink one, it will be without a doubt one of your life's great wine drinking experiences.

             by Daniel Bellino Zwicke