Central New Jersey Off-Line Tasting at Fresco Steak and Seafood Grill in Milltown, N.J.

the central new jersey CT group met for a holiday tasting at fresco steak and seafood grill in milltown, n.j. the theme was italian wines and other personal favorites to match the cuisine of the restaurant.
the restaurant was most accomodating, providing us with a private room, an abundance of glassware, and a very attentive wait staff.

as all guests had arrived from far and wide, a holiday toast was offered.

• NV Tinazzi Prosecco di Valdobbiadene vsqprd 90 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Prosecco di Valdobbiadene

  brought this to central jersey CT off line at fresco steak and seafood grill in milltown, new jersey. served before placing food order with additional tasting to accompany cold antipasto. the wine performed well and showed what a better quality prosecco has to offer. pinpoint bubbles lingered to the end. subtle flavors of white flesh fruits. a hint of walnut. full finish. i particularly enjoyed the fact that the wine was not excessively sweet- something that turns me off to most prosecco.

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as the restaurant presented carnivorous offerings that had been ordered by assembled guests, the juice started to flow.

• 1995 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino 92 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  this bottle was brought by cjsavino to central jersey CT off line holiday tasting at fresco steak and seafood grill in milltown, n.j. although the wine had some stiff competition, it wound up being my WOTN. The wine continued to evolve and develop throughout the evening. it proved to be full, deep and complex. CJ offered cherry and leather as primary taste components. the wine remained firm with no hint of oxidation. CT community average longevity severely underestimates the potential of this wine for further development.

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• 2007 Bindella (Tenuta Vallocaia) Vino Nobile di Montepulciano I Quadri

  Italy, Tuscany, Montepulciano, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

  brought to central jersey CT off line holiday tasting at fresco steak and seafood grill in milltown, n.j. sorry i do not recall who brought this bottle. i must also confess that i did not understand this wine. will have to leave it to others to evaluate.

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• 1997 Il Poggione (Proprietá Franceschi) Brunello di Montalcino 90 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  brought this to central jersey CT off line at fresco steak and seafood grill in milltown, n.j. the wine showed with rich garnet color with just the slightest hint of thinning at the edge. no browning discernible. i was surprised by the body of this wine as i had previously tasted the 1990 vintage which was made in a very light style. nevertheless, as the evening progressed, other brunello bottles at the table put this wine back in context with regard to the house style for this producer. the wine produced generous legs on the side of the glass. if you remember the old lucky strke commercial- this wine is lsmft (round, firm, and fully packed). the wine opened up substantially over the course of the evening suggesting the potential for further development with additional bottle age.

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• 2004 Fuligni Brunello di Montalcino 92 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  brought by srs227 to central jersey off line holiday tasting at fresco steak and seafood grill in milltown, n.j. s. reports that he purchased this bottle at the winery and had it shipped home. the wine had been double decanted two hours prior and left to breathe during the 60 minute car ride to the restaurant where it was decanted once again. on initial taste, the wine was still fairly austere and closed. for a period of time it presented with a bit of iodine which eventually blew off. toward the end of the nite, the wine started to show its charms. this wine probably needs another ten years but will be worth waiting for.

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• 2003 Hastae Barbera d'Asti Quorum 89 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Asti, Barbera d'Asti

  this bottle was brought by pbm to the central jersey CT off line holiday tasting at fresco steak and seafood grill in milltown, n.j. reviewing my CT page for this wine it turns out that i started researching this wine in july of 2010. i am thinking that it may have been a cindy offering that i was thinking of purchasing. the wine earns high praise from parker and others. tonite, the wine offered an interesting change up from the heavy weights at the table. interestingly, for a wine that is supposed to be pretty far along in its development, is still presents as somewhat tight and chewy. this is an interesting wine that is worth another look in a year or two.

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who knows what evil lurks ...... the shadow does.

• 2008 Congruence Cabernet Sauvignon 93 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley

  this wine was brought by mj (jersey foodies) to the central jersey CT off line holiday tasting at fresco steak and seafood grill in milltown, n.j. decanted into reidel goose neck vessel. this wine bursts wide open with lush fruit. red raspberry predominates for me. looking at mj's tasting note from april, i would have to say that there must have been too much distraction tonite to properly evaluate the wine. in any event, it is my 2nd runner up for WOTN.
  mj informs us that this wine is made by Steve Eisenhower who resides in millburn. the wine is made using facilities at crushpad. anyone interested in finding the wine can go to: www.congruencewines.com

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• 1995 Château Clerc Milon 90 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Pauillac

  brought by pbm's friend (apologies for not remembering your name) to central jersey CT off line holiday tasting at fresco steak and seafood grill in milltown, n.j. i successfully identified that we had left italy and come to france but i was unable to pin down the chateau. this is surprising, since i had enjoyed a bottle of the 1986 just a few months ago. this producer is a winner in my book and was underrated by the market place for a long time. this wine typifies classic bordeaux and appears to be at the peak of its development. it did need about 15 minutes in the glass to start showing its charms. the nose is generously fragrant. lots of plummy fruit on the palate. i love the ability of this producer to create a mouth feel that i describe as a fist in a velvet glove. a wonderful tasting experience.

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• 2007 Waters Syrah 89 Points

  USA, Washington

  brought by annerk to central jersey CT off line holiday tasting at fresco steak and seafood grill in milltown, n.j. i would echo annerk's note from september 2010. i found this to be a very fruit forward wine, almost in the style of a beaujolais which i believe was mentioned by some others at the table. the strong point of this wine is the clean and fresh rendering of the fruit. this wine would go well at an autumn table with slightly lighter faire.

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• 2007 Long Shadows Wineries Saggi

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

  brought by annerk to central jersey CT off-line holiday tasting at fresco steak and seafood grill in milltown, new jersey. i don't recall tasting this one, or if i did, i didn't write a note. here is her comment:
  
  This was the main ringer. "Kinda" Italian but not from Italy. Had you all very stumped. It was really singing that night.

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a rare experience probably never to be had again. parting is such sweet sorrow.

• 1993 Unknown Tokaji 5 Puttonyos 89 Points

  Hungary, Tokaji

  brought by pbm's friend (apologies for not remembering your name) to central jersey CT off line holiday tasting at fresco steak and seafood grill in milltown, n.j. drinking tokay was a brand new experience for me so i don't consider my comments to represent any level of expertise. judging from the holdings on CT, i assume that this wine is intended to be consumed much younger. this wine was golden brown in color such as you would see in a dark ale. nevertheless, the wine was not oxidized or madeirized. the wine was pleasant and paired well with the dessert course which for me was a slice of chocolate cake.

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a grand time was had by all. we invite all CT members within geographic proximity to join us at future events.