Barolo gathering at Aggio

Four of us got together at Aggio restaurant to drink barolos. Aggio happen to have both white and black truffles and we indulged, shaving truffles to all of our dishes. The dishes were all exceptional, all well thought out, imaginative, flavorful and well executed. Considering it was a Thursday night, the restaurant was surprisingly empty. The similar caliber restaurant in DC would have been fully booked. Chris, the head sommelier, provided the perfect wine service. We had a great time enjoying each other’s company discussing all sorts of topics from Caitlyn to current state of affairs. Despite taking two hour drive from DC, it was well worth it.

All showed very well. I wanted to try the Initial and substance together, two very different style.

• NV Krug Champagne Brut Rosé 94 Points

  France, Champagne

  IMO, Krug rose style is very unique in that it is one of the palest rose. The color is cooper with only a hint of red hue. Subtle vinous nose, yellow fruits, burnt sugar, roasted oysters, mineral, caramel and earth. David mentions that he cellared it for at least five years. This seems quite mature showing a slight hint of oxidative note which is not bothersome. Very polished and lean palate, fine mousse, strong presence of mineral, bright acidity and medium finish. This is nothing like Dom rose. For my palate, it will not improve with cellaring. Quite enjoyable, very food friendly.

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• NV Jacques Selosse Initial 95 Points

  France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

  David mentions a hint of chlorine and it is definitely there. Very fresh and succulent nose displaying crunch white and yellow fruits, white peach, pear, kiwi, pineapple, macadamia power, saline and strong presence of mineral. Excellent concentration, quite ripe and sweet yet pure and crunch yellow fruit driven palate impression, mineral, bright acidity and long opulent finish. For my palate, it is fresher and sweeter than Krug Grand Cuvee. It gains complexity and shows the best at the end of the night. Really drinking well.

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• NV Jacques Selosse Substance 96 Points

  France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

  IMO, the style of Jacques Selosse is quite unique and this has to be the most unique one in their regular line-up, ie no experiences with lieux dits. Very complex mature nose displaying sweet yellow fruits, anise, toffee, white chocolate that becomes stronger with air and mineral. Very harmonious palate, white chocolate driven palate impression, nicely layered complex fruit, just right amount of acidity and mineral, and long resonating finish that ends with a hint of sherry note. I like this a lot more than the bottle drank in 2012 as it is fresher. Really nice showing.

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All showed incredibly well.

• 1990 Giuseppe E Figlio Mascarello Barolo Monprivato 97 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Explosive complex ripe and warm nose displaying dry red and black fruits, blackberries, dry red cherries, raisin, petrol, tar, licorice, cinnamon, nutmeg, forest floors, dark caramel, a hint of soy and balsamico, fruit cake and earth. Beautifully balanced and harmonious palate, warm and round, nicely layered fruits, sweet dry black fruit driven palate impression and long seamless finish. With air, it starts to show a lot of iron and mineral. Excellent showing.

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• 1990 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Riserva Falletto di Serralunga d'Alba 98 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Expressive beguiling nose displaying decadent slightly dry black and red cherries, black truffle, dark flowers, licorice, leather, tobacco, a hint of balsamico, iron and mineral. Silky and polished palate, incredible precision and purity, strong presence of mineral via iron, beautiful layered fruit, decadent red cherry fruit driven palate impression, perfect amount of acidity to age further and beautiful long finish. Just like the Monprivato, showing beautiful balance and harmony and decadent sweet fruits. This seems to show less the warm and ripe vintage characters which is the reason why I prefer this ever so slightly. Two truly great wines.

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• 1990 Gaja Barolo Sperss 96 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Noticeable darker and bigger than the first two wines. Expressive nose displaying incredible youthful black fruit, licorice, a hint of leather, vanilla and charred steak, menthol and mineral. With air, iron similar to the first two wines emerge and the menthol note gets stronger. Excellent concentration, youthful ripe black cherry fruit driven palate impression, a hint of mineral, bright acidity, nicely integrated sweet tannins and long sweet finish. The youngest and most backward showing of the three ‘90s. Based on my limited experiences, Gaja takes a long time to get fully integrated, becomes harmonious and reach the peak. Really enjoyable.

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• 1997 Gaja Langhe Nebbiolo Sperss 95 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

  It is really interesting to drink along the 90. Expressive nose displaying incredible youthful dark fruit, cassis, black cherry, luxurious oak, Asian spices, licorice, strong note of mint and mineral. Exceptional concentration and luxurious oak reminds me a cult cab. Excellent concentration, opulent black fruit driven palate impression, incredibly layered fruit. Bright acidity, nicely masked tannins due to generous fruit and long finish ending with a hint of oak. Very close resemblance to the 90 but much younger and even more concentrated. Vin de garde. It is already enjoyable in very youthful ways but will need at least twenty more years to become a great Barolo.

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• 2007 Weingut Keller Monsheimer Silberberg Rieslaner Trockenbeerenauslese 97 Points

  Germany, Rheinhessen

  A pure decadent indulgence. Most delicious Apricot marmalade, mouth puckering acidity.

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A great time was had by all!