Monday. Swordfish, Labor Day party leftovers, and the 2023 Bart Marsannay Rose. Red cherries, orange peel, pleasant but not distinctive. I’ve liked more in previous vintages. B-/B
Tuesday Bolognese on fettuccine and the 2017 Castello di Gabbiano Cavaliere d'Oro Bellezza Chianti Classico Gran Selezione (whew). Rich and ripe, red plums/cherries and a hint of vanilla, some tannin, a little kirschy. B-
No wine Wed or Thursday
Friday I had some wine friends over, with a theme of Tuscany, and a subtheme of introducing someone to Tiberio. Lovely night on patio. We started off with 2 blind bubblies
My blind:- initial guess was Montagne followed by Cote de Blancs, someone thought grower and I said
No, producer is a Grand Marque” (I was having fun). Pear, apple, warm bread touch of smoke on finish. Elegant mousse, good acids. 2012 Domaine Carneros (Taittinger) le Reve A-/B+
JC’s blind - there was a cherry note that made me think some PN (wrong). Pear, cherry, both chalk and nuts on finish. Full, snappy and long. I loved I’ve had a couple of Lilberts I liked, this is first Perle, really enjoyed.
NV Lilbert Perle Blanc de Blancs Champagne (2017 base, dg fall 2022, 3g/l dosage) A-
Craig brought some wonderful charcuterie (Smoking Goose) and cheeses. I made caprese and potato salad, John brought couscous. I grilled steaks (sage and rosemary), sausages, squash, and corn.
2022 Tiberio Pecorino
Gunflint, citrus zest, grapefruit and fig. Big and maybe just a little hot, but interesting. B
2017 Tiberio Trebbiano d'Abruzzo
7 years and going strong. Lemon and peach. Long finish. B+
2022 Tiberio Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo
Herby, complex, raspberries and wet stones. B+
2021 Marisa Cuomo Fiorduva (Furore)
Fenile, Ginestra, Ripoli. Full, aromatic, citrus and apple. Others really loved this, but I found it more interesting than delicious. B-
2019 Cervaro della Sala
If Burgundy went to Umbria. Some prominent oak notes, but such a classy and balanced fruit package underneath. Pear, clementine, ginger. A-/B+
1988 Capezzana Ghiaie della Furba
Red fruit, cigarbox, a little tired but still interesting. B
1985 Avignonesi Grifi
Tired, a little pruney, some oxidative notes, maybe 15 years ago…..C/C+
2001 Vignamaggio Terre di Prenzano Chianti Classico
Nice nose of dried cherry and leather, but tired with ashtray components on palate. C+
2000 Villa di Geggiano Chianti Classico Reserva
Moderate acids, cherry overshadowed by some oxidative notes. C+/C
'1995 Rampolla Chianti Classico Riserva
We’re not on a good streak with the Chiantis. Black cherry, dried fig, heavy mushroom note and some ashtray. B-/C+
1990 Gabbiano Chianti Classico Riserva
Better if still a bit tired, black cherry and red plum, tobacco, falling off on finish. B-/B
1978 Monsanto Il Poggio Chianti Classico Riserva
Red cherry, dried cherry, saddle leather and dried flowers. Nicely balanced, still persistent on backend. B+/A-
2002 Billecart Salmon “Elisabeth Salmon” Rose Champagne
What a great palate break! Lovely and complex with Bing cherries, blood orange, rye bread. Long and dazzling. A Champagne is my WOTN! A-/A
2008 Il Marroneto “Madonna della Grazie” Brunello di Montacino
New producer to me, quite lovely if surprisingly mature. Cherries, autumn leaf fire, truffle, and mustard seed. Nice length, resolved tannin. B+
1995 Poggio Antico Brunello di Montalcino
Wood tannin, hard, drying fruit. Not appealing. C+
1995 Col d'Orcia Brunello di Montalcino
Tannin, modest fruit, clipped finish. B-/C+
1985 Lisini Brunello di Montalcino
First bottle corked, luckily I had a second standing up. Red cherries, fruitcake, spice, cedar. Really quite enjoyed. B+/A-
1985 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino
Another lovely ‘85 BdM, dried cherries, lavender, earth, long. B+
1970 Barbi Brunello di Montalcino Riserva
Deep, long, red fruit and espresso, saddle leather, complex finish. A-
(John wondered if the poor showing of the 95 BdM reflects switch to barrique from botte)
1990 Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial Rose
I was pretty skeptical of this, but it was showing well. Cherry jam, forest floor, bubbles still holding on. B/B+
Couldn’t let folks leave without a blind red. There’s lots of gravel and tobacco here, and first guesses are Graves. Once in Medoc takes a bit to get to St. Julien and then Poyferre. Black cherry, light cassis, tobacco, and damp earth. Refined and classic. 1966 Ch. Leoville Poyferre A-
Fun night, but boy it was late! Just had white wine leftovers Sat with blackfish (tautog) on leeks along with some of the leftover couscous and vegetables.
Some friends invited me to their place in Tarrytown for Sunday dinner. Lovely night with view of Tappan Zee from their balcony, enjoyed dolmades and smoked oysters with the 2022Leirana Albarino- saline, Granny Smith, citrus zest. Racy B+/B
Inside for pork chops in a shiitake gravy, scalloped potatoes, kale, and the 2000 Clos Rene. Good showing for a 3rd tier Pomerol- black plummy fruit,.a little mocha, touch of cedar, smooth Pomerol texture. Not really complex, but drinking well and easy. B/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.