For 15 years now, some incredibly generous friends and I have had this monthly dinner and tasting group. It morphed into a thematic dinner tasting too, but it was always a themed tasting of 6 wines, of some of the most renown names from well known wine regions tasted among 9 friends, that just love the food and wine experience. Here's a non-linear retrospective series of what we tasted, in crib-note form, that I'm calling...Views from the Cellar.
Pre-pours:
#1...2011 Contratto Extra Brut 2011
#2...2011 Bruno Giacosa Roero Arneis
#3...2005 G.B. Burlotto Verduno Pelaverga
Themed Flight...Piedmonte - Cru or Riserva Level (Jan 2019J
A...and in 2nd place: 1996 Guiseppe Rinaldi Barolo 'Brunate-Le Costa'
Tar and green tobacco immediately on the nose, more balsamic and mixed Allium in the palate, sweet oak and raspberry, feels more modern style, almost bone brothy
B...and in 3rd place: 2006 Petterino Gattinara
More serious nose, almost ethereal! Soy, porcini dust, new leather, truffley and mixed green cooking herbs garni. Really beautiful, and my fav of the night. Gorgeous wine!
C...and in 5th place: 2008 Reno Ratti Barolo 'Marcenasco'
Also pretty serious nose of tar and green herbs, but more herby in the palate, lots of bright acid acidity, loads of bing cherries and candied fruit, kinda modern but lengthy finish.
D...and in 4th place: 1999 Guiseppe Mascarello Barolo 'Monprivato' Monopole
Sweet oak spices, more roses and blood orange in the nose, dark cocao and dr pibb in palate, prune/plum, seemsolder and very distinguished, got more lean as it opened, but floral.
E...and in 1st place (most enjoyed): 2005 AR PEPE Sassella Riserva 'Vigna Regina'
More pronounced orange notes and rosehips in nose, orange marmelade in the palate, leaner palate texture, but evolving a lot, ferrous/irony in mid-palate, almost bloody but pretty floral, and a really long finish! So delizioso...! What the best versions of chiavennasca can be.
F...and in 6th place (least enjoyed): 2007 Giacomo Conterno Barolo 'Cascina Francia'
Older oak profile, serious tannins and acid in palate and finish, getting almost fish saucy with more air, Umami - a little too much dusty/earthy v fruit, almost like fried green tomatoes.
Post-Pours:
#1...1999 Zind-Humbrecht Clos Jebsal Vendage Tardive Pinot Gris
#2...Vergano Americano (from last batch made by Mauro...327/8)
#3...Vergano Luli (from lot 02/215/09)
Comments