Barthenau Pinot Nero 1999 A dinner with friends to look at Pinot Noir. We had three brackets, 2002, 1999 and 1996. The wines were served blind in brackets where the only thing in common was the year. The young wines all looked good and since I have reviewed them before I will choose the picks from the older brackets. This wine was alongside Main Ridge Estate Half Acre and a Vosne Romanee from Jacques Cacheux. We were told that a Burgundy was in the bracket and I was pretty confident it was this wine. It had a complex nose that showed more plum than cherry, a bit of spice and quite a dose of fennel/anise. The palate had great power and weight with a texture reflecting, from my experience, 1999 as a vintage in burgundy. The plum and fennel mixed really well and it was an excellent accompaniment to the splendid duck pie prepared by our chef host. When revealed I recalled a 2000 reviewed here that was also very good.

Rated : 92 Points
Tasted : Jan07
Alcohol : 13.5%
Price : $120
Closure : Cork
Drink : 2007 - 2010
Source : Enoteca Sileno
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