Martinengo Vini Barolo?

[vengroff]

I was browsing around Schneider's of Capitol Hill when I ran across these two bottles, priced at $39.95 each. I asked about them, and was told, "with Barolos of that age, it's a crapshoot. But if you open it and it tastes like shit, just bring it back for a refund."

I bought one of each, given the non-corked or your money back guarantee. 71 and 78 were good years, so how bad could it be? If it's well preserved, but just not the greatest Barolo around, I certainly won't take it back.

Any comments on these bottles or odds on whether I'll find them in drinkable condition?

[Craig Camp]

Good vintages but without good storage good luck. Also there were a lot of crappy Baroli made in those days. Are you sure on the producer name?

[vengroff]

Good vintages but without good storage good luck. Also there were a lot of crappy Baroli made in those days.  Are you sure on the producer name?

Thanks, Craig. The unknown storage is certainly going to be the key.

I googled for the producer and the first thing in English that came up was the Felidia Wine List, which has both vintages (bins 1420 and 1421).

The label in full reads:

BAROLO

DENOMINAZIONE D'ORIGINE CONTROLLATA

Invecchiato in fusti di rovere ed imbottigliato da

Guisseppe Martinengo

nella cantina in Belveglio.  Per assaporare meglio le

caratteristiche e consigliabile stappare la bottiglia qualche

ora prima e servirio a terperatura di 18 - 22 gradi.

RISERVA

SPECIALE

1971

L15297

MESSO IN BOTTIGLIA DA

MARTINENGO Vini S.A.S.

BELVEGLIO (ASTI) ITALIA

750ml e              13,5% vol

[Craig Camp]

For what its worth there are also no references to this wine on Google in Italy. Lots of people with that last name in Piemonte but that's it. I'll ask around a bit.

[Tonyfinch]

71 and 78 were the best years of the decade for Barolo. If they've been wll made and stored properly they should be at their very best.