WTN: Lots of Italians plus a few others

Notes from the Pepato lunch arranged by Miguel.

Roero Arneis Bricco Ciligie Giovanni Almarlo 2008 - Slightly bready on the nose. Tart, sour candy flavor. Lemony. Needs food but not my type.

Banfi Poggio Alle Mura Brunello di Montalcino 1999 - Ripe, red berries on the nose. A little meaty, with bright acidity. Still a little tannic and tight. Leathery. A great match with the bistecca fiorentina.Very good.

Giacomo Conterno Cascina Francia Barolo 1998 - Strong mint. Old leather-bound books. Deep chocolate flavor. Sweet fruit and plenty of acid on the finish. Still strong tannins. Despite a long decant, still not ready. All the acidity in the finish was a little off-putting. Very good flavor and aroma, though.

Vare 2004 - A Napa wine made with Ribolla Gialla, Tocai Friuliano, Pinot Grigio, Sauv Blanc and Chard. Medium gold. Looks and smells like a dessert wine but this is dry. Rich, lemon custard. Nice and very interesting.

Marchesi di Gresy Camp Gros Martinega Barbaresco 1990 - Beautiful nose, much like the Conterno. Meaty, rich. Lots of fruit concentration. A little tart on the finish but this is just about perfect now. Excellent.

Pio Cesare Barbaresco 1999 - Deep, ripe nose but a little hot. Cherry, pencil shavings. Creamy, firm and dry. Good.

Chateau Lagrange 1989 - Sweet cedar nose. Dry, spicy and rich. Meaty. Rather abrupt finish. Probably at peak now and very good except for the short finish.

Mystery wine - This was served blind - a sample given to Jojo to consider for his wine bar. Grapey, sweet and rich but a weak finish. Not bad but rather simple. New Worldy. I guessed California. No one got this right. Prestige Cuvee Csanyi Pinceszet Villany 2007 - from Hungary. Cab Sauv, Merlot and Cab Franc.

Passito di Pantelleria Salvatore Murana Mueggen 2006 - Orange gold color. Medium-sweet. Orange marmalade flavor and finish. Good length. Not bad.

Jay, you always come up with some surprises. Did the Stockbroker find that Vare when he was in NY for the marathon?

Giacomo Conterno Cascina Francia Barolo 1998 - Strong mint. Old leather-bound books. Deep chocolate flavor. Sweet fruit and plenty of acid on the finish. Still strong tannins. Despite a long decant, still not ready. All the acidity in the finish was a little off-putting. Very good flavor and aroma, though.

Jay,

Thanks fo the notes. What timing too, as I had planned on opening a bottle of this wine this weekend and your notes has made me decide against it. In any case, how long was the '98 Conterno Cascina Francia decanted for?

RC

Giacomo Conterno Cascina Francia Barolo 1998 - Strong mint. Old leather-bound books. Deep chocolate flavor. Sweet fruit and plenty of acid on the finish. Still strong tannins. Despite a long decant, still not ready. All the acidity in the finish was a little off-putting. Very good flavor and aroma, though.

Jay,

Thanks fo the notes. What timing too, as I had planned on opening a bottle of this wine this weekend and your notes has made me decide against it. In any case, how long was the '98 Conterno Cascina Francia decanted for?

RC

It was open for at least an hour before we poured it. The last of it was poured after about 3 hours. It had opened up somewhat by then but still, better to wait a few more years.

Jay, you always come up with some surprises. Did the Stockbroker find that Vare when he was in NY for the marathon?

I'm not sure where he ordered it from but he seems to have been able to buy this for a few years running since he first served us one about 3 years ago.