2001 Vietti Barolo Dinner

It’s been a long time. The UI is a little different around here but I managed to log in. Surprisingly, I remembered my credentials while sipping rye on the toilet late at night.

Some years ago I was looking for a 2001 Barolo to drink upon my son’s high school graduation. Someone in this group recommended one to me and I snatched it up.

Well, we didn’t end up drinking it for his graduation. Instead, circumstances dictated that we hold off another year. He took a gap year and started his first college class (remote learning) today. So tomorrow is the big, long awaited Barolo dinner. Cheers!

Menu:
2001 Vietti Barolo
Antipasti
Italian Style Rib Roast
Truffle Risotto
Rapini with EVOO
Vanilla Bean Cake

[Robin Garr]

Welcome back, Robert! That looks like a remarkable dinner.

[Jenise]

Robert, welcome back!

It's amazing what can come to one sitting on a toilet. I think it's a form of meditation. Or at least it should be if you spend as much time in there as my father used to. He called it "the Library".

Still in Austin?

The iPhone: changing the way we go to the bathroom since 2007.

Yep, still in Austin.

[Jenise]

Are you still at Central Market by any chance? My husband's son is a prof at little San Marcos college now but lives in downtown Austin, so the name comes up every so often.

Lord no. I left there long ago. I work in senior living as an F&B Director. Shit work but the pay is good (as opposed to CM where it was shit work and bad pay). And when there’s a global pandemic I still have work.

I’ve been doing a lot of music stuff lately. Well, before all the clubs got shut down. And I’ve somehow become an avid collector of vintage and modern basses. So there is some fun to be had.

I guess your (step?)son is at Texas State? San Marcos is a nice little town, slowly getting absorbed by the ever expanding Austin.

Well, after 19 years this Barolo still has a lot of muscle. More commentary to come.

And I’ve somehow become an avid collector of vintage and modern basses.

Good fish.

And I’ve somehow become an avid collector of vintage and modern basses.

Good fish.

That one never gets old.

Killer wine. Very enigmatic and old world. Lots of floral notes; mineral out the wazoo; underripe plum and tart cherry; solid tannins that melted under the fat of the beef and risotto.

And I’ve somehow become an avid collector of vintage and modern basses.

Good fish.

That one never gets old.

Unlike some of the basses. How old are your older pieces?

Well, the oldest I have is a 1981 G&L L-1000. Nothing from the 60’s fender era. It’s weird now to consider that 2000 era instruments are being considered vintage and anything beyond certainly is.

I’m also a total G&L junkie. Leo Fender made some incredible innovations to pickups in his final days. I have something like 7 G&L basses that span every decade since their inception.

[Jenise]

What did you do to give your rib roast an Italian slant?

What did you do to give your rib roast an Italian slant?

Not much more than a name and some garlic, rosemary, and porcini demi. Also, had to call an audible on the truffle risotto and use porcini there, too. Still, a damn fine meal and a killer wine. It’s been a while since I’ve done this.

Well, the oldest I have is a 1981 G&L L-1000. Nothing from the 60’s fender era. It’s weird now to consider that 2000 era instruments are being considered vintage and anything beyond certainly is.

I’m also a total G&L junkie. Leo Fender made some incredible innovations to pickups in his final days. I have something like 7 G&L basses that span every decade since their inception.

Thanks, Robert. I'm not a bass player but I did just go off to read Leo's story with Fender, Music Man, and G&L. Guys like him were always innovating.

Thanks, Robert. I'm not a bass player but I did just go off to read Leo's story with Fender, Music Man, and G&L. Guys like him were always innovating.

Sure thing, Jeff. Leo’s contributions to the development and evolution of the electric instrument are immeasurable. It’s a fun rabbit hole.