WTN: Mazis, Etna, Macon, Alba, Roccamonfina

Sunday we went to Irvington to dinner at friends. They greeted us with shiitake toasts, cheese, and olives, along with a servicable Prosecco that I neglected to note.

Dinner was risotto with a red sauce, along with caprese, beets, and salad. She had asked for a “strong red”, and I brought one

2002 Galardi “Terra di Lavoro” (Roccamonfina)
This is a big wine. At first I thought it might be a little hot and stewed, but the pruney note seemed to blow off. Tons of sediment. Cassis, tar, leather. Like a cross between a big Medoc and a semi-modern Barolo. Lot of character here., but there’s a glossy oak note as well. B/B+

There was also a 2005 Corino Dolcetto d’Alba. A bit of tannin remained, cherry and blueberries, but this is quite tired with some ashtray notes and a short finish. C/C+

Monday was our anniversary and we went to Aldea near Union Square. I started with a gorgeous egg, with bacalhau, black olive, & potato crisps. Next I had baby squid with a romesco sauce and squid ink, followed by venison steak with chanterelles and baby vegetables. Betsy started with uni toast, then had matsutake and chanterelles with Benton’s bacon , greens, and egg. Her main was a variation on the classic Portugese pork and clams, with suckling pig and sunchokes

2001 Nicolas Potel Mazis-Chambertin
Tight and a little musty at first (but not corked), opens a bit, red fruit, spice, earth. Pleasant and a good accompaniment to the food, but didn’t strike me as GC. A 2001 Drouhin village Chambolle recently had more depth. Decent wine, but a little disappointing in context. B/B-

With my squid I had a glass of the 2012 Bret Brothers Macon-Villages- fresh, nicely balanced, clean, good wine. B/B+

Last night I put together a quick pasta al Norma, with the 2012 Terre Nere Etna Rosso. Red fruits, good acids, light but noticable tannins, maybe just a hint of heat (wow, this is 14.5%, don’t remember that from previous years). Still, I like B

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C drinkable. 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.

[David M. Bueker]

Better luck next week!

I lose track - are all Potel wines negotiant, or does he have some domaine stuff?

OK, I think I have this right (corrections welcomed).
Nicolas was the son of the manager of Pousse d'Or, who unexpectedly died in mid-90s. Nicolas had been training to succeed his dad, but owners sold the property after the death. He set up a negociant business. In late 90s and early 00s he had a reputation for getting access to great fruit/wine, from his dad's old friends (RSV from 99 & 00 is I'm pretty sure from DRC- obviously what they
didn't use, but still pretty special). But he overexpanded and sold controlling interest (including his name) to the folks who run Laboure-Roi about 2004. I think the 2004-2006 or so wines were still made by Nicolas. Then parting of the ways, and since then any "Nicolas Potel" wines have nothing to do with him. He then started Domaine Roche de Bellene (estate) and Maison Roche de Bellene (negoce).

[David M. Bueker]

Got it. Thanks.

Good thing there were no connections to the Gros families.

Dale,

I got the same Cassis note you did in the Galardi, which is interesting, given the varieties they list....