La Festa del Coniglio

This is the 7th event organized by a group of friends who enjoy world-class wines and exuberant dishes. Each tasting is organized around a theme whether it be a wine region, grape varietal, or a particular cuisine. This 7th rendition was centered around Il Coniglio (italian for rabbit), which a staple of Piedmontese cuisine which was accompanied by other farm-classics such as Braised Pancetta and Tagliatelle with Lamb/Buffalo ragu. At the end, exquisitely curated Italian cheeses were accompanied by a Tuscan Passito.
The wines were organized in 4 flights starting with a Barbera/Barbaresco, followed by a Chianti Riserva/Tuscan blend, then a Barolo/Brunello, and finished with the Passito.

Clerico Barbera d’Alba Trevigne ’08 (Alba, Piedmonte)
Nada Barbaresco Rombone ‘07 (Langhe, Piedmonte)
Angelo Gaja Sito Moresco '07 (Langhe, Piedmonte)

• 2008 Domenico Clerico Barbera d'Alba Trevigne 88 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d'Alba

  Deep red color with a reticent nose of dark fruit, spices, and leather. Palate shows back-forth between fruit and gripping tannins with a touch of bitter. Finishes short and dry. Good wine for eating hearty dishes (accompanying a braised pancetta) but not a charmer on its own. Drink up.

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• 2007 Fiorenzo Nada Barbaresco Rombone 92 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  Color is light to medium ruby with impressively flowing bouquet of fresh cut flowers, sweet cherries, menthol, and spices. The palate is more reserved a shows a nice raspberry confit wrapped by gripping tannins that need a bit more time to integrate. Finishes medium in length with a kiss of fruit. This wine is pretty and aromatically enticing yet so delicate. Enjoy with utmost care, of course after some more years of cellaring.

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Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia ’07 (Chianti, Toscana)
Tua Rita Giusto di Notri ‘08 (Suvereto, Toscana)

• 2007 Fattoria di Fèlsina Berardenga Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia 94 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Black color with an exotic bouquet of dark fruits, italian herbs, charred oak, and currants. Palate was lush and silky with layers of dark fruit, well integrated tannins, finishing medium in legth with nice italian herbs infused into the dark rich fruit. Pure delight. You can age this Rancia or drink it now. 94+

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• 2008 Tua Rita Giusto di Notri Toscana IGT 94 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

  Black red color with purple on the edges. Wonderful bouquet of ripe warm black fruits, fresh cut flowers, licorice, blackberry jam with notes of spices. Palate is extremely rich and with great depth with layers of balckberries and blueberries, and a touch of white chocolate combine with the oak to give a bold yet sensual experience. Finishes medium long with ripe fruit and well integrated tannins. This wine portrays the warmth of Tuscany like no other. One of the best values in this region at this price point. Drink it now or wait another 5-7 years. 94+

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• 2007 Gaja Langhe Sito Moresco 92 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

  Medium red with an exciting bouquet of red and black fruits, currants, and new oak. Palate combines the elegance of Nebbiolo with the power of Cabernet, and sexiness of Merlot. It's a blend that is masterfully executed however lacks tipicity and a sense of origin. Solid sensual wine that is ready for drinking.

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Clerico Barolo Pajana ’05 (Langhe, Piedmonte)
Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino ‘07 (Montalcino, Toscana)

• 2007 Il Poggione (Proprietá Franceschi) Brunello di Montalcino 92 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  Black color with some red on the edges is this packed Brunello. Exciting bouquet of dark fruits, sweet currant, and bit of xmas cake. Didn't get the fresh flowers usually present in Brunellos but it might be a function of youth and and how ripe and packed the fruit is in this wine. Palate was lush and bold packed with layers of dark fruit and well integrated oak. Finishing medium in length with fruit and oak. This Brunello shows promise but lacks some depth and shows a bit backwards at this stage. Please be patient. 92+

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• 2005 Domenico Clerico Barolo Pajana 95 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Wine of the night for many of us. This Barolo from Clerico is in a league of its own. The color is medium ruby with elegant, exotic yet reserved notes of silky spices, core of red cherries, and leather that will only get better with time. Palate has astonishing depth of sweet caressing red fruits and delicious spices coupled with supple yet fine tannins that speak of longevity beyond reproach. This has elegance, harmony, exuberance, and longevity: all the makings of a breathtaking wine. Lock it up and treasure it for at least a decade. Bravissimo! 95+

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Azienda Ganci Gocce d’Ambra Passito ’NV (Lazio)

La Festa del Coniglio
Italian Tasting

Wednesday July 24th, 2013


ANTIPASTO

Arrosto di Pancetta di Maiale alla Cantonese

Clerico Barbera d’Alba Trevigne ’08 (Alba, Piedmonte)
Nada Barbaresco Rombone ‘07 (Langhe, Piedmonte)

PASTE

Tagliatelle al Ragu di Agnello e Bufalo

Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva Rancia ’07 (Chianti, Toscana)
Tua Rita Giusto di Notri ‘08 (Suvereto, Toscana)

PIATTI

Brasato di Coniglio e Risotto di Fungi

Clerico Barolo Pajana ’05 (Langhe, Piedmonte)
Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino ‘07 (Montalcino, Toscana)

FORMAGGI

Pecorino Tartufato Hard, Sheep, Sardegna
Robiola Bosina Bloomy rind, Sheep, Lombadia
Ubriaco Hard, Cow, Veneto

Azienda Ganci Gocce d’Ambra Passito ’NV (Lazio)