WTN: Magnums Against MAGA (Bdx, Tuscan, Burg, Champagne)

(I made this as apolitical as I could, but just the nature of the evening makes that hard)

Montevertine was my favorite Tuscan producer (except maybe the $$$ Soldera) until a decade ago when the owner/winemaker decided to air his political views. Strong stuff, and I never bought another bottle. But have tried to use what i already had at dinner and auctions geared against bigotry and intolerance. I down to one bottle, a pricey magnum, so decided to hold a fundraising dinner called Magnums Against MAGA. Figured Menotti would hate idea of a biracial woman American president. Some late cancellations due to illness and family issues, but they made their contributions, and I modified (with everyone’s approval to just do 750s of the Champagne and the white.

Smoked mussels, boquerones, presunto (ham), smoked pork loin
NV Ponson 1er Cru Champagne
Pear and citrus, light almond note on finish, elegant mousse, quite long. B+

Shrimp on bed of greens
2000 Louis Latour Corton-Charlemagne
I had backups as I expected this to be tired asd oxidized (which wouldn’t necessarily be premox at 24), but while a little nutty this was really quite a bit nicer than I expected. Sweet pear, lemon curd, almond/hazelnut. Sweet and still a bit oaky. B
‘
Porterhouse (with a rosemary rub) mushroom risotto, orange cauliflower
2006 Montevertine Pergole Torte (mag)
Magnum decanted about hour before serving. Supple black cherry and plum fruit, cigar tobacco, just a hint of road tar. Easy tannins, moderate acids, good length. Some herby notes on long finish, B+/A-

1978 Domaine de Chevalier (mag)
I’ve liked this wine in past but this magnum was on another level. Black cherry and dark berries, burnt earth, cigarbox. Elegant and feminine, but with long poerful finish. Wow wine A-/A

Really great night with great people


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.

[Jenise]

I love your convictions. May have to stray over to Berserkers to see what kind of reactions you got there.

[David M. Bueker]

He would have to alter the title and some content or it would get moved to the politics forum to appease the delicate MAGAts.

Politics aside, I don't normally post notes on Berserkers unless I'm responding to others who were at a dinner I attended (Patrick, Mark, etc). But yes it would get pulled.

I'm right with you, Dale. My last bottle of Montevertine was consumed a number of years ago now, despite my love of the wines. I also stopped buying Barilla dried pastas (this, despite their making some of the tastiest gluten-free pastas we've ever had). Happily, Guido Barilla has renounced some of his more odious views.

Mark Lipton

[Jenise]

Happily, Guido Barilla has renounced some of his more odious views.
Mark Lipton

But only because he had to? Goya products are another to avoid.

(getting way off wine)
Do I think there Guido Barilla had a big change of heart? Probably not. But he did apologize, and the company has invested in LGBTQ causes. Sure, I'd prefer a road to damascus moment where it's not driven by economics. But I'll take it.
As opposed to Menotti, who when called out on his racism doubled down (and joked he planned on changing Pergole Torte's name to Mein Kampf). I believe in taking apologies, heartfelt or not, especially if accompanied by action.

As to Goya, I try not to buy, but support of a candidate (even one I truly despise) is not the same to me as hate speech.

Despite the (undoubtedly unintended) irony of a fascist wine maker’s wine in attendance, I would have been bidding large for such an apropos auction theme.