...Grilled Lamb Chops and Potatoes Dauphinoise, which I enjoyed with...
...the Vigneron's bottle of 2001 Michele Chiarlo Barolo Cannubi - of all the years I've known the Vigneron, this is probably only the 5th or 6th bottle of non-Bordeaux red I've seen him open. Svelte, medium-bodied, proper acidity, somewhat straightforward with typical hints of violets and "tar" in its notably focused, slightly spicy red berries. Tannins are fine, but you do notice them in the finish, giving a slightly rustic air to the wine in general. This, I mentally noted, was a lot less oaky than the 2001 Michele Chiarlo Barbera d'Asti Nizza La Court. Very decent Barolo and a good eating wine for the lamb (my type, anyway).
I know Bacchus Int'l. distributes Chiarlo's wines in Manila, but I am not sure if this particular vintage is still in stock. If it is, I'm getting some. We both skipped dessert and had double espressos.
Merci pour le repas, mon ami.