Paolo Scavino, Barolo Bric del Fiasc 2001

robert_parker93

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

In 2001 the Bric del Fiasc and Carobric are massive, shut down, and very difficult to fully assess. Tasting the wines blind, I thought the Carobric was the Bric del Fiasc, and Enrica Scavino says even she has a hard time telling the wines apart at this stage. My notes and ratings represent my best idea of the wines at this stage, although both wines will probably require multiple tastings before a clearer idea of their true potential emerges. 2001 Scavino Barolo Bric del Fiasc—Rich ruby. Dark dense and backward, this masculine wine is packed with rich dark fruit on a very long palate. With time, notes of tar and menthol appear although this remains very tight, but so promising. 93+ points/drink after 2011, 12/04 Enrico Scavino was finishing work on his estate when I visited last December. The new extension will provide space for large group tastings as well as a dedicated area for Scavino’s enviable collection of larger-format bottles. This estate produces a wide range of Barolos, beginning with a base bottling that is usually one of the best relative values in the region. There are three single-vineyard wines: Cannubi, Bric del Fiasc and Rocche dell’Annunziata, all of which are very representative of their respective soil types. In the mid-1990’s Scavino bought a plot in Rocche di Castiglione. Fearing too much confusion with the already well-known Rocche dell’Annunziata, Scavino decided to create a blend by adding wine from Cannubi and Bric del Fiasc, creating Carobric. The 2002 vintage marks the first release of a new Barolo from the Bricco Ambrogio cru in Roddi. Enrica Scavino is very high on the 2001s, describing them as “very elegant and classic.” She says “We want to make wines people drink rather than look at like some kind of trophy.” These 2001s are built to age and my advice is to drink this producer’s excellent 2000s (reviewed in Issue 1) in the near term and cellar the 2001s for longer-term consumption. As fantastic as the Scavino Barolos are, readers should not overlook the excellent 2001 Barbera d’Alba….

robert_parker95

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

The 2001 Bric del Fiasc is a great way to end this flight. It opens with a beautiful, balsamic nose followed by suggestions of anise, chocolate, tar, dark cherries and plums with outstanding overall balance and fine tannins. Deeply expressive and sensual, it has been a magical wine on the multiple occasions I have tasted it thus far. Today it comes across as more accessible than the 2000 and it will be fascinating to see how these two great vintages evolve in the years to come. A superb achievement. 95/Anticipated maturity: 2011-2023. Bric del Fiasc, was first produced in 1978. The vineyard is located in Castiglione Falletto and the wines from this plot are generally the biggest and most structured of the estate’s lineup. In important vintages Bric del Fiasc requires at least several years of cellaring. Today vintages 1989 and 1990 appear to still be fresh and youthful and my guess is that recent vintages will age at least as well given that they were made from lower yields and with a much greater sense of awareness towards other factors affecting quality.

robert_parker96

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

The 2001 Barolo Bric del Fiasc is a gorgeous wine laced with smoke, tar, licorice and menthol. The 2001 remains powerful and authoritative, with more than enough fruit to balance its huge tannins. Today it comes across as almost impenetrably young. There is plenty of upside to cellaring this fabulous Barolo. Anticipated maturity: 2016-2031. Enrico Scavino is without question one of Piedmont’s most consistent producers. He just doesn’t miss a beat. Scavino is ably assisted by his daughters Enrica and Elisa, both of whom are increasingly involved in the winery. Scavino’s Baroli are rich, textured and very showy when young, but they have proven to be equally ageworthy. The 2001s spent one year in barrique and a second year in cask, an approach the estate adopted with the 1997 vintage. These are some of the most backward, intense wines of the vintage. Importer: Banville & Jones Wine Merchants, New York, NY; tel. (204) 294-4899

robert_parker95

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

The estate’s 2001 Barolo Bric del Fiasc is a massive and strapping Barolo with an exciting nose of sweet ripe fruit, licorice, tar and mint. This deeply colored, masculine, full-bodied Barolo is packed with layers of dense backward dark fruit, prune, plum and macerated cherry flavors, with a distinctly mentholated note that gives it a sense of freshness and balance. It finishes with huge tannins which suggest patience will be required. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2021. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300, Vin Divino, Chicago, IL; tel. (773) 334-6700, and Estate Wines, Ltd., San Rafael, CA; tel. (415) 492-9411

vinous96

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

The 2001 Bric del Fiasc is a great way to end this flight. It opens with a beautiful, balsamic nose followed by suggestions of anise, chocolate, tar, dark cherries and plums with outstanding overall balance and fine tannins. Deeply expressive and sensual, it has been a magical wine on the multiple occasions I have tasted it thus far. Today it comes across as more accessible than the 2000 and it will be fascinating to see how these two great vintages evolve in the years to come. A superb achievement.