A couple of interesting wines at Tuesday's Repertoire dinner at Cafe Ysabel
Fontanafredda Briccotondo Barbera 2007 - Smoky, very dry, rich and sappy. A little bitter in the finish. Good balance and length. This needed the better part of an hour to open up.
Sterling Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 - Cedar, mint, pine resin. Rich and tannic. Blueberry and plum. Just a little hollow. Not bad at all but still needs time to shed the tannins.
Pichon Longueville 1999 - Barnyard, mint and coffee. Strong tannins. Still rather closed. Needs a good decant or more time in bottle. Try again in 3 years or so.