1982 Barolo Bric del Fiasc

Paolo Scavino, and more recently his daughter, have always made fabulous Barolos, as evidenced by my previous tasting notes on the 1988s, 1989s, and 1990s. However, in 1993, he began utilizing small barriques (the percentage of new wood varies according to the vineyard), pushing his wines to an even higher level of quality. While the 1993s may not possess the power, intensity, and extract of the great 1990s, qualitatively they are equals. As a postscript, I had the opportunity to taste a mini-vertical of Scavino's Barolo Bric del Fiasc, from the 1990, 1989, 1988, 1985, and 1982 vintages. All of these wines were made in the old style, without aging in small oak casks. The 1982 (rated 92) was sensational. Clearly an old style Barolo with gobs of cedar, herbs, tobacco, leather, and cherry fruit, this full-bodied, powerful, rustic but immensely rich, chewy Barolo has reached its plateau of full maturity. However, I expect this wine to continue to drink splendidly well for another 10-15 years.