Bruno Giacosa - Collina Rionda Barolo Riserva DOCG 1982

Bruno Giacosa - Collina Rionda Barolo Riserva DOCG 1982

Summary

The Bruno Giacosa Barolo Riserva Collina Rionda 1982is considered one of the greatest wines Italy has ever produced. It comes from the legendary producer Bruno Giacosa and from the famous Vigna Rionda vineyard in Serralunga d'Alba. The 1982 vintage is consistently awarded top marks (100 points) by critics and is one of the legendary "Perfect Ones" - wines that have reached perfect maturity. Due to its extremely limited availability and the high demand from collectors worldwide, this Barolo is one of the most expensive and sought-after wines in Italy.

1. Bruno Giacosa Winery

The Bruno Giacosa winery, based in Neive, is considered one of the best and most traditional in Italy. The namesake Bruno Giacosa (1929-2018) was a perfectionist who set standards for Barolo and Barbaresco from the Piedmont region. The family-run winery, which covers around 18 hectares, produces around 400,000 bottles a year, including some of the most sought-after single-vineyard wines in the world. Critics such as Robert M. Parker have always recognised Giacosa's "consistent brilliance". For many connoisseurs, his wines are on a par with the best Burgundies or a great Petrus.

Bruno Giacosa was a master at sourcing grapes from the best sites - long before the winery had its own vineyards. In particular, the grapes for the "Collina Rionda" came from a two-hectare plot within the Vigna Rionda that belonged to the Canale family. Giacosa produced this wine from the early 1970s until 1993, making the name "Collina Rionda" world-famous.

2. The location: Collina Rionda / Vigna Rionda

Vigna Rionda in the municipality of Serralunga d'Alba is one of the most famous vineyards in the Barolo region. Situated at an altitude of 300 to 350 metres and facing south, it has highly calcareous soils with marly veins. The site, which covers around ten hectares, is divided into many parcels, the most famous parts of which have passed to different owners over the years. One of the best winegrowers ever to make wine from this site was Bruno Giacosa, who marketed it under the name "Collina Rionda". His wines from the peak years of 1979, 1982 and 1989 have become legendary.

Note on the name: In the past, the wine was marketed as "Collina Rionda"; in later years and by other producers, it is usually called "Vigna Rionda". Both names refer to the same outstanding vineyard.

3. The 1982 vintage in Piedmont

The 1982 vintage was an excellent one for Piedmont. After a cool and foggy winter, spring brought fine weather that dried the vines. The early summer was unusually hot, which led to very good ripening of the Nebbiolo grapes. The wines from this vintage are known for their impressive structure, richness and enormous ageing potential - characteristics that the 1982 Collina Rionda still demonstrates to perfection today.

4. Ratings & Reviews

The 1982 Bruno Giacosa Collina Rionda Riserva receives almost unanimous top ratings from the leading wine critics. An overview of the most important scores:

The wine is described in a blog as one of only 22 "perfect wines" that the author has ever tasted: "The nose is the purest expression of Barolo ... Breathtakingly beautiful! The taste is as concentrated, intense and awesome as the nose ... An easy 100p".

5. Tasting notes

The following notes summarise the descriptions of various experts and collectors:

• Colour: Light brick red / brick red with slight brightening at the rim, as is typical of a mature Barolo.

• Nose: A beguilingly sweet, perfumed aroma that rises magically from the glass, with notes of roses, ripe red cherries, spices, a hint of brown sugar, liquorice and subtle mineral notes.

• Palate:Silky, supple and of exquisite finesse. The tannins are incredibly fine and ripe. The wine shows exceptional complexity, coupled with a refreshing acidity and long-lasting, intense fruit. The mouthfeel is rich, juicy and full of elegance.

• Overall impression:An emotional wine that captivates all the senses. It is considered perfectly matured and offers an unforgettable flavour experience.

6. Drinking window & storage

According to wine merchants and search portals ,the original drinking window for the 1982 Collina Rionda was 1998 to 2015. However, current tasting notes and market observations show that the wine can still be in excellent condition today, provided it has been stored excellently. The most recent positive tastings are from 2022, 2016 and 2010. The general recommendation is therefore: drink now, but the wine is not a case for further, multi-year storage.

7. Prices & market availability

The 1982 Bruno Giacosa Collina Rionda Riserva is extremely rare and is traded almost exclusively at auctions or with specialised wine merchants.

Current availability:The wine can hardly be found on the open market. Occasionally, individual bottles appear at auction, where prices can vary greatly. Buyers should budget for well over USD 3,000per bottle. As demand far exceeds the extremely limited supply, prices are expected to continue to rise.

8. Conclusion

The Bruno Giacosa Collina Rionda Barolo Riserva DOCG 1982is no ordinary wine, but a legend. It represents the zenith of what Nebbiolo and the famous Vigna Rionda vineyard can produce. With its top ratings, intense history and legendary quality, it is an absolute collector's item and a jewel for any serious wine cellar. For lovers of mature, complex and elegant Barolos, this wine is the epitome of pleasure. Those lucky enough to own a bottle should reserve a special occasion to open it - the wine is now at the peak of its maturity and ready to give the gift of an unforgettable experience.

Note:This report is based on publicly available sources such as wine databases, auction houses and review platforms. Prices and availability may change depending on market conditions and time of research.