Best Vintage Ever (Again?)

[Botafogo]

The following is from the FRONT LABEL of Paolo Bea's Montefalco Rosso 1998:

"Vendemmia 1998 (Eccezzionale)

After the good (but "just", it is idiomatic but the connotation is there) 1997 vintage we find that 1998 is an exeptional and overall better vintage."

One thing to remember is that the American press gets all moist when a vintage is TOO hot and the wines taste more Australian or Californian than actually Italian. Witness the duo of 89/90 in Piemonte: the actual winemakers much preferred the more balanced and long lived 89's while Mr Pahkah and others nearly creamed themselves over the fatter, more slovenly, less age worthy 90's (at least some of which, and particularly the "modern" style ones, are falling apart already). Mr. Pahkah has even said that "the Piemontese are not aware of what they have in 1997"!!! They are and they prefer the '98's.


Roberto