Italians at Scena

Eight of the group gathered for a nice tasting at a new venue in Mpls. A new Italian themed joint with lots of crudos and pasta on the menu. I wish my notes were better, but this was one of those nights where the notes suffered. You do what you can...

• NV Château La Serre Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Colsenta 89 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG

  Pale gold color. Darnk 1 glass over 20 minutes. This was a bit more off dry than the last bottle, but not overtly sweet anyway. The most striking difference was the very florals aromatics on the nose, almost pungent, reminded me of taking a walk in the deep woods in mid to late summer up north. The palate is green apple, foamy, slightly sweet, yeasty, medium finish. Stood ok on its own, had the '95 Bollinger been intact well then....all bets are off. Worked well for the theme. 88+ to 89pts.

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• 1995 Bollinger Champagne La Grande Année Flawed

  France, Champagne

  This bottle was purchased on released and cellared ever since. VERY oxidized. A sad statement on 20 year old Champagne that has been well stored.

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• 2012 Bruno Giacosa Roero Arneis 90 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Roero

  Light gold color. Nice nose, very aromatic, floral character, apple, citrus, balanced, good acidity. Just a bit warm. This was much better than the last example of this I had.

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• 2014 Perticaia Trebbiano Spoletino Spoleto 88 Points

  Italy, Umbria, Spoleto

  Light gold color. I think the first couple notes capture this well. Melon and tangerine, citrus, lemon, light,grass, good acidity, very nice. 88+ to 89pts.

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• 2007 Vincent Dauvissat (René & Vincent) Chablis 1er Cru La Forest 92 Points

  France, Burgundy, Chablis, Chablis 1er Cru

  Light green color. Drank 1 glass over 30 minutes. This was nowhere near as expressive as a bottle a month ago, but it was still wonderful. Classic Chablis character, opening from what was a pretty tight nose over 2o minutes. Big with tons of dry extract, tart, citrus, tangerine, citrus, shows more ocean breeze and firm salinity over time. Good length. Youthful, but wonderful.

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• 2011 Michele Chiarlo Barbera d'Asti Superiore Nizza La Court 90 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Asti, Barbera d'Asti Superiore Nizza

  dark red color. Drank 1 glass over 90 minutes. A wine that's easy to enjoy. Pretty lush, sweet fruits, cherry, black cherry, spice, spicy cherry compote, ripe, medium body, lively, shows some nice earthy old world character. Great with our pastas.

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• 2010 Fattoria Selvapiana Chianti Rùfina Riserva Bucerchiale 91 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Rùfina

  Dark red color. Drank 1 glass over an hour. This was intriguing, it got significantly better in glass. There was a nice deep earthiness that was prominent on the nose, with spice and dark berry fruit. The palate is medium bodied, berry, firm tannins, dry, a bit savory, dried floral elements, spiced, oak, youthful. 90+ to 91pts..

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• 1980 Ceretto Barolo Zonchetta 91 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  medium dark red color with bricking. Drank 1 glass over an hour plus. This was in a good place. Dried cherry fruits on the nose and palate, red licorice, still firm powdery tannins, medium body, tart fruit, medium finish. Probably not going to get better, but very enjoyable.

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• 1964 Bertani Recioto della Valpolicella Classico Superiore Amarone 90 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Recioto della Valpolicella Classico Superiore

  Medium dark red, 1cm bricked transition. Drank 1 glass over an hour plus. This opened slowly on a PNP, but took on depth and more interest. I like the raisiny aromas with dried cherries, lacquer, brown sugar, some alcohol, plum, and dried caramelized fig, some green edges. Plenty of tannins, but the fruit is on the downswing and the alcohol, at 15%, is rearing its head more so now. This might have been better 10 years ago, who knows, but it is fun now and tasty. Drink up. 89 to 90pts. Thanks to Jason and Tracy for sharing this.

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• 2001 La Spinetta (Rivetti) Barbaresco Vürsù Vigneto Gallina 88 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  Very dark red color. PNP, this was very ripe, modern, big, extracted, lots of alcohol on the nose and palate, big black fruits, dill, very spicy, lots of oak, firm grippy tannins. At 15 years old, one wonders whether this will settle down and integrate more. If you like big ripe Italians, this is for you.

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• 2003 Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso 91 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  Dark red color. Decanted for 1.5hrs. Drank 1 glass over 90 minutes. Love the dried fruit nose, dried raspberry, dried cherry, spices, a bit floral, subtle dried earth. The palate offers more of the same, medium body, dried red fruits, spices, some earth and mineral. 91 to 91+pts.

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• 2010 Cerbaiola (Salvioni) Brunello di Montalcino 92 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  Wonderfully deeply earthy nose, deep red fruits, oak, spice, the palate is balanced, firm tannins, fuller body, youthful as expected but with succulent fruits and a long finish. Good balance. I should have spent more time thinking about this, but it went down too quick. This should be a winner down the road. 92-94pts.

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• 2010 Tenuta Caparzo Brunello di Montalcino 90 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  This was another youthful '10 that shows promise. Dark, ripe with nice red fruits, firm, but sweet tannins, cherry fruit palate, spicebox. Very good, needs 3 years. 90(+?)pts.

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• 2005 Château Rieussec 93 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  Drank a small pour form 375ml. Fun to try this so close together with the '05 Suduiraut the other night. Both are showing well in their relative youth and are actually quite similar. Pineapple, citrus, tangerine, slightly honeyed, white flowers. Good acidity, and nice balance, a bit linear right now. The Suduiraut was just a touch better. Very similar and very close. 92+ to 93pts.

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