annunziata

craig - great aritcle, don't take this the wrong way, but you should be in politics - better yet we should send you to the middle east! seriously though - i think clerico is a genius, as is giacosa - very different artists but both top of their class. it may be just an issue of semantics, but i view clerico as a modern producer of barolo, but no way are his wines international. that is where i draw the line between a successful modern producer and a poor one. yes his wines are sexed up, but i feel his barolos not only scream nebbiolo, but sepecifically monforte. also - great analogy with the jazz thing - it proves the best things in life are timeless - music, wine, art, cars. comparing and rating different eras and different ideas always will stir emotions

very interesting article - you have a great understanding of this singular and incredible wine producing area. i had a 79 monfortino a few weeks ago and i have to say it is lingering on immortality, is was simply outrageous - however i have to give it to the modern movement. i'm not a flashy fruit bomb wine lover, i really slant to old world wines, especially italian. i give it to the modern movement because as in most revolutions they begin with the best intentions, but lack the proper execution. think about it, before altare and sandrone became fashionable they were really putting there asses out there and flying on instruments, some vintages mistakes were made, however they kept learning. i think many mistakes were made especially in the early 90's. however when they got it right and when mother nature pitched in, i have had the most fragrant, powerful and blessed wines of my life. as the modern guys learn more the best wines are yet to come. less new oak is best in most, but not all cases. i also believe wines of place are not just reserved for the traditionalists, if anyone sticking their nose in and tasting a barolo from clerico thinks it is from australia or california, they may want to visit a doctor. not only is this nebbiolo, it screams monforte. i liked you comment about the traditionalists really stepping up their game, improving and responding to what was happening. properly ripe fruit, cleaner environments, more sound winemaking has had an profoundly positive effect on these styles to fire a shot in the aging argument: i don't believe all modern producers will age well, no question about it. just like most traditional barolo never comes around. but i had an 82 altare barolo aborina the same night as the monfortino and i almost fell off my chair. i'm finding the best modern guys who are gifted with the best vineyards are making wines that shed the young flare and ease into a complex, layered and gifted wine -unmistakable nebbiolo kudos to the conterno brothers, giacosa & macarini, i will continue to buy and drink as many as i can get my hand on. but my heart is with the clericos, scavinos, la spinettas of piemonte.