Bruno Giacosa   Barolo Le Rocche del Falletto DOCG

2005 Barolo Le Rocche del Falletto D.O.C.G.

By Bruno Giacosa

2005 Barolo Le Rocche del Falletto D.O.C.G. from Bruno Giacosa

The prodigious 2005 Barolo Le Rocche del Falletto D.O.C.G. from Bruno Giacosa captivates one's palate with a symphony of profound nuances, emblematic of the exceptional vintage that is 2005. A year in which indomitable Mother Nature unveiled her benevolent countenance, gifting Piedmont an ideal equilibrium of weather-related vagaries. However, it's the story of human endeavour led by Bruno Giacosa, one of the most influential figures in Italian winemaking, that truly shines forth in this sophisticated and beguiling Barolo.

 

2005: Bronze skies and silver linings

The narrative of the 2005 vintage in Piedmont was authored by an initially unfavourable climate reluctantly yielding to a warmer summer post-veraison. However, this strained transition presented an opportunity for the Nebbiolo grapes to attain prolonged phenolic maturation, embodying an unparalleled depth of flavour in the final wines. The result in every bottle of 2005 Barolo Le Rocche del Falletto D.O.C.G. is a testimony to this fortuitous wrestle with nature.

 

The tantalizing dance of Nebbiolo led by Bruno Giacosa

Renowned for his precise placing of faith in traditional winemaking methods, Bruno Giacosa has artfully harnessed the Provencal elements into this fine expression of Nebbiolo. A caress of warm spices melds with a frisson of sour cherry and violets on the nose, while the palate proudly flaunts rigorous tannins framing a heart of ripe red fruit tempered by zesty acidity.

Firmly grounded in its terroir, the 2005 Barolo Le Rocche del Falletto D.O.C.G. delivers a persistent finale that lingers like a fond melody, inhabiting the hidden recesses of your senses long after the last sips are savoured. A quintessential example of Bruno Giacosa’s winemaking prowess, this classic iteration truly embodies the essence of the 2005 vintage in Piedmont.

 

A wine investment worthy of rapt attention

The 2005 Barolo Le Rocche del Falletto D.O.C.G. is more than just a bottle of exquisite Barolo. It’s a testament to the distinctive Piedmontese terroir and the enduring allure of Nebbiolo in one of its finest global avatars. For those who treasure fine wines from Italy, investing in this remarkable vintage promises a twofold reward – the sheer joy of possessing it and the potential for accruing value over time.

Current market price

$4,720.00

12x75cl

Highest score

96

POP score

177.5

Scores and tasting notes

96

The 2005 Barolo Le Rocche del Falletto is a massive, towering Barolo loaded with tons of rich, primary fruit. The wine remains powerful, dense and muscular with superb length even if it is a smaller-scaled Barolo compared to previous great vintages. That said, when I came back to the wine after it had been in the glass for an hour or so, I found that the wine had grown remarkably. While the 2005 doesn’t have the explosive personality of the 2004, it remains an awesome achievement in this vintage. Anticipated maturity: 2015-2035. Bruno Giacosa seems to be in better shape each time I see him, but on my latest visit, in November 2008, he seemed particularly energized. We spent several hours tasting through the 2006s and 2007s from barrel, along with all of the 2005s and 2004s from bottle. As www.erobertparker.com readers know, I have been following Giacosa’s 2005 Barolos for several years and I have been fond of these wines for some time, as they have always demonstrated exceptional balance. Now that the wines are in bottle they are every bit as delicious as they were from barrel. Giacosa fans will want to give these 2005 Barolos (and the Barbarescos, too) careful consideration as 2006 is shaping up to be a weaker vintage here. On the subject of the 2005 Barbarescos, they are every bit as successful as my scores suggest, if anything I may have misjudged just how great the wines will ultimately be. As for the 2005 Barolos, the wines seem to have been helped quite a bit by the southern exposure of the Falletto vineyard. Importer: A Leonardo Lo Cascio Selection, Winebow, Montvale, NJ; tel. (201) 445-0620

Antonio Galloni - The Wine Advocate, 28 April 2009

Vintage performance