WTN: Amarone, Burg, Greco di Tufo

With salmon in a 3-mustard crust, brown rice, and spinach, the 2009 Pernot Bourgogne showed well again, classic white Burg profile with apple and pear fruit, a light hint of hazelnut, soil. B+

Some friends wanted to go to Queens for dinner, we ended up at Trattoria l'Incontro in Astoria. Betsy had burrata and proscuitto, I had grilled octopus. Betsy had branzino while I had tigerfish with a caper/tarragon lemon sauce (we also had a taste of friend's venison and scallops). We split a bottle of Feudi di San Gregoria Greco di Tufo (I believe 2008, not listed on winelist but I think I remember correctly). Low to middling acid, ripe fruits, almonds, not bad. B/B-

We were back early, and I wanted a bit of upgrade. Opened a 2001 Brigaldara Amarone della Valpolicella Classico half-bottle. I'm not a big Amarone fan, but I like this. Light lift to nose, not as heavy as many Amarones, seems fresh, has deep plum, raisin, anise, and floral notes. Pretty fun. B/B+

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency. 

Haven't been back at Trattoria L'Incontro in a long while. How's the food, Dale?

I thought the food was pretty good- the seafood (including octopus) was all perfectly cooked. But if I had a complaint it would be everything seemed one note over the top - the octopus didn't need the ocean of balsamic on salad, there were too many competing flavors in the sauce on my fish, the tuna carpaccio didn't need truffle oil, etc. I'd go again though (and check if GoBYO is accurate re $10 charge- rather pedestrian list).

I just ordered a couple bottles of the 2009 Pernot bourgogne rouge. Have you tried that? Also ordered one bottle of the Pernot 2008 Puligny-Montrachet which I am looking forward to trying.

I thought the food was pretty good- the seafood (including octopus) was all perfectly cooked. But if I had a complaint it would be everything seemed one note over the top - the octopus didn't need the ocean of balsamic on salad, there were too many competing flavors in the sauce on my fish, the tuna carpaccio didn't need truffle oil, etc. I'd go again though (and check if GoBYO is accurate re $10 charge- rather pedestrian list).

Agree with being slightly OTT on the dishes. Tasty and delicious, but seems like there's at least one too many things happening on the plate. It's been close to 3 years since we've last visited. I didn't know about their BYO fees - I recall asking once when making the reservation, the person behind the phone said that they have "many wines ... so, no need to bring your own." If GoBYO is accurate, then $10 per is pretty good.

Last year we tried Piccolo Venezia, also in Astoria. I think this one is more restrained in their execution, more old school in approach and the dishes were pretty good, too. But, steep corkage at $20 per, but any size bottle, so we brought 2 magnums for our party of 3 couples.

My brother spent a few months in the Veneto, and he came back with a few bottles of the Brigaldara Amarone (perhaps the riserva?). Anyway, these were really good and very much like your note, Dale. He also has a Quintarelli Amarone in my cellar that we need to get to one of these days!