The 1989 Barolo Monprivato is one of the most massive, backward wines of the vintage, with huge extraction of fruit and enough mouthwatering tannin to render it nearly unapproachable for 7-8 years. The huge, full-bodied, muscular style takes some getting used to, but, wow, what concentration and length! Do not touch a bottle before the turn of the century. This old style, traditional producer believes in long macerations, resulting in frightfully tannic, tough, closed wines that are loaded with concentrated fruit. In lighter vintages there can be too much tannin and structure for the wine's extract. In years such as 1989 and 1990 (provided a reader is willing to wait 7-10 years), these wines should prove to be spectacular - classic, old style, textbook Barolos. All of these offerings are cleanly made, old styled, enormously thick and tannic Barolos that require 5-10 years of cellaring; they are capable of lasting for 30 or more years. Importer: Neal Rosenthal, Select Vineyards, New York, NY.