2005 Ch. Laffitte-Teston Madiran
I remembered enjoying a bottle from this producer during a cassoulet offline at La Sirene. So, I bought this at a sale price of $14 at Garnet. This time, I had this with Italian cheeses and olives from DiPalo’s in Little Italy, our favorite Italian food store. Made of 100% Tannat, the wine was dark and kind of brooding, with fresh meat and wood on the nose. Black ripe fruit and some chocolate followed. This was a good wine to have with the strong cheeses and olives. B+
2006 Bodegas Talai Berri, Oreka Getariako Txakolina
100% Hondarrabi Zuri grape. Seawater notes, lime, light medium bodied, refreshing and good palate cleansing ability. Refreshing finish. Drank with steamed lobsters. At $16, this has been my “go to” txakolina and will continue to be. B+
2008 Matteo Corregia Roero Arneis, Canale
Light straw with some gold hue. Rich, oily, white fruit, citrus. A bit too big a mouth feel for my liking. B-
1994 Marcarini Barolo Brunate, Piedmont
With broiled NY shell steak. The wine showed slight bricking towards the rim and still had the dark cherry core. Had the smell of meat and violet. Red fruit and prominent acidity coming from sour cherry. This bottle, I think, has matured to its best drinking window at this point. Slightly rough on the finish. B
2006 Remy Pannier Chinon, Loire
Herb and fruit. Light, casual, easy-drinking and delicious. I was drinking alone and re-corked the remaining half and after a full day in the refrigerator, the wine was singing again. Gotta find more of these types of wines. $13. B+
Ramon