Two big events today: I was born and (purportedly) Jesus was resurrected. In honor of these events I opened a couple bottles of wine last night that were dramatically different but both fantastic:

2001 Dominio de Tares Cepas Viejas
2001 Giacomo Conterno Barbera d’Alba Cascina Francia

The D de T Bierzo. Damn, I wish I would have bought a ton of these when they were on close out. The epitome of grace and elegance; I was really tempted to drink the sediment it was so good. I love the elegant bottle as well.

Shifting gears the Conterno Barbera was by far the best Barbera I have ever drank. Explosive fruit. It was open for a good hour before I touched it, but this is one I wish I would have given a few more years like I planned. But I have no regrets; it was a truly delicious wine. The 1997 Conterno Barolo was one of the best wines I ever drank; this Barbera confirms that G. Conterno wines are some of the best in the world, bar none.