DUO, Miami Barolo BYO Wine dinner

Charlie Frumkin, of Duo, w Cesar Basurto, Southern Wine had the inspiration for this admirable event. It was originally suggested to be 97 vs 99, limited to 12 participants. It evolved into fourteen with vintages ranging from 91 to 2000. Maria Frumkin prepared a special 6 course Piemontese menu. Which was delicious. The wines were served blind and at random. After a vote of the particpants it was agreed to separate the wines into flights of three.

The participants were Charlie Frumkin(Duo); Cesar Basurto (Southern); John Ireland (wine rep); David Baghdassarian & friend (collector); Robert Barnes (Southern); Deidre Conley (Mommessin); Henry Perez (collector?); Mark Friedman(Me); Steve Wooden (Montreal collector); Abraham Horowitz collector); Gerald McGinley and friend (Collector, contributed Clerico's).

• 1999 Poderi Aldo Conterno Barolo Riserva Granbussia 93 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Wine #1 in flight 1. Classic barolo w hints of of rose petals and anise. Premature but beginning to reveal itself. Bouquet was somewhat muted. One of the five best wines of the night.John Ireland's contribution.)

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1999 Guido Porro Barolo Vigna Lazzairasco 90 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Wine #2 if flight 1. Charlie's (Frumkin) contribution. All wine were double decanted on arrival at Duo(I had double decanted mine in the am, so it got a 2nd trip.) Noticeable brett initially, which moderated after 15 minutes, to reveal a very drinkable barolo with characteristic rose licorice flavors.
  At completion of flight, I savored as much as the Conterno Granbussia Riserva 99.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1991 Gaja Barolo Sperss 85 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Wine #3 in flight 1. Incredibly for the oldest wine in the event to be totally closed and monolithic vis a vis its younger cousins. Clearly barolo but not showing much. Don't know if it ever will? (David Baghdassarian's contribution).

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2001 Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Rangen de Thann Clos St. Urbain 93 Points

  France, Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru

  David Baghdassarian's aperitif wine. Excellent. I remember continuously refilling.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1998 Azienda Bricco Rocche (Ceretto) Barolo Brunate 95 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Wine #4, #1 in flight 2. WOTN, by acclaim. Drinking perfectly now, great perfume, wonderful balance with characteristic rose anise flavors!

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1998 Azienda Bricco Rocche (Ceretto) Barolo Bricco Rocche 95 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  (I believe this is the proper identity for wine#4, #1 if flight 2). WOTN, by acclaim. Drinking perfectly now, wonderful perfume of roses and anise, with delicate balance, and complexity. If you have any drink it now, I don't think it has a long window, contrary to most barolos.(Robert Barnes contribution)

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1997 Beni di Batasiolo Barolo 87 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Wine #5, #2 in flight 2. All I can recollect was, that it was a representative but undistinguished barolo.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1999 Beni di Batasiolo Barolo Vigneto Cerequio 87 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Didn't impress me. But how could it when compared to the Ceretto Bricco Rocche Brunate . (Deidre Conley's contribution)

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1997 Paolo Scavino Barolo Carobric 93 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Wine # 8, #2 in flight 3. I had double decanted and tasted it in the am.It was again double decanted upon arrival. Having tasted it, I was able to pick it out blind. The roses and anise were accentuated vis a vis the others. The wine is intense, and quite tight now, and should show well in 2 or 3 years. One of the 5 best wines of the night.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1999 Podere Rocche dei Manzoni Barolo Vigna d'la Roul 87 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Wine #9, #3 in flight 3. In an array of 15 wines, this one got lost in the crowd.(Steve Wooden's - Montreal contribution).

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2001 Poderi Luigi Einaudi Barolo Costa Grimaldi 91 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Remember it as good,but not = to Carobric. But a good representative barolo.(Henry Perez contribution.)

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2000 Fratelli Revello Barolo Vigna Conca 88 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Wine #10, #1 in flight 4. Remember it as representative but undistinguished barolo. Probaby premature.(Abraham Horowitz contribution.)

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1998 Feudi di San Gregorio Taurasi Selve di Luoti 85 Points

  Italy, Campania, Taurasi DOCG

  This was Cesar's ringer. Clearly not nebbiolo. I have found few aglianico's to my taste.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2000 Pio Cesare Barolo 90 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Don't remember much about it. Good representaive barolo, but not = to the best. (Cesar Basurto's contribution.)

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1999 Domenico Clerico Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra 93 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Wine# 13, #1 in flight 5. By process of elimination I was able to identify the 2 Clerico's. Surprisingly the 99 was softer and more balanced than the 97. An exceptional barolo that will develop well. With characteristic nebbiolo features of roses and anise. One of the 5 best of the night.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1997 Domenico Clerico Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra 91 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Wine #14, # 2 in flight 5. Because of its surprising development, I confused the 99 for the 97. Very good, but much more restrained than the 99. Need to wait.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 1998 Zind-Humbrecht Riesling Rangen de Thann Clos St. Urbain Sélection de Grains Nobles 95 Points

  France, Alsace, Alsace Grand Cru

  David Baghdassarian's dessert contribution to the Barolo dinner. A world class wine = to the best Alois Kracher or Sauternes.

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

• 2000 Masi Campofiorin 80 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Veronese IGT

  Another ringer in the Barolo tasting. Helps distinguish quality nebbiolo vs other varietals.(Roxanna garcia's contribution.)

  Post a Comment / Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Report Issue

Very interesting event. We knew beforehand most of the wines to be served. The presence of 2 ringers, aglianico, and corvina, helped to distinguish the nebbiolos. Charlie had posted the event on WS, and Steve from Montreal attended while in town on business.

Maria's menu was:
Vitello Tonnato, Insalata
Risottino con FunghiRussa, baby eggplant caviar
Agnolotti dal Plin
Tajarin with Veal Ragout
Taleegio, chestnuts and honey
Bunet, amaretto cake, gelato