2nd LI Blind BYO

Ten of us each brought at least one wine. Food was good but place was hectic and loud.

Pizza Amalfi - mozzarella, goat cheese, fig,caramelized onion, bacon, rosemary. A Frank Family Vineyard vintage “champagne” (details lost) was good and had more acidity than I would have expected.

Arugula with olive, ceci bean, cherry tomato, roasted pepper,
herb vinaigrette, shaved parmigiana. The Riesling paired effortlessly but the Marsanne was overwhelmed.

• 2015 Dönnhoff Roxheimer Höllenpfad Riesling Trocken

  Germany, Nahe

  This seemed very young but seriously interesting, delicious and juicier than I expected.

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• 2015 E. Guigal St. Joseph Lieu-Dit St. Joseph Blanc

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, St. Joseph

  Rather demure and doesn’t show a great deal of terroir (tasted like Sauvignon Blanc). Still, the balance is good and it’s tasty. Not a good pairing with the arugula salad.

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Cavatelli with spicy lamb sausage and broccoli rabe in a creamy ricotta salata sauce. The Amarone was far and away the best pairing. Bobby offered the La Serra (unblind) because he was disappointed with the Scavino.

• 2008 Paolo Bea Montefalco Rosso Riserva Pipparello

  Italy, Umbria, Montefalco, Montefalco Rosso

  Decanted 3 hours. Inky and saturated with some new world gloss. Tannic, alcoholic and hairy - seemingly worse a day later. Some likable elements but this is a tough customer right now.

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• 2004 Paolo Scavino Barolo Bric dël Fiasc

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Nobody thought this was Nebbiolo and even post reveal, it was difficult to connect it to Barolo.

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• 1990 Tommasi Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

  Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

  Early reductive notes thankfully abated revealing an edgy, complex wine with real lift and vibrancy. Great match with the boldly flavored lamb sausage pasta. Impressive.

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• 2006 Giovanni Rosso Barolo Serra

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Much preferred to the 04 Scavino, this was more acidic, better balanced and clearly Barolo. Coming together nicely.

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Sirloin with roasted potatoes and sautéed spinach.

• 2005 Château Malescot St. Exupéry

  France, Bordeaux, Médoc, Margaux

  I found this to be just too much of everything - too lush, too round and too forward.

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• 2006 Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

  Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

  I don’t remember much about this except it paled in comparison to the 90 Tommasi.

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• 2005 Clos Apalta

  Chile, Rapel Valley, Colchagua Valley, Apalta

  Tight, outsized - not my thing.

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Cannolis and cookies

• 2001 Château Suduiraut

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  There were elements of this that I really enjoyed - pure fruit, fine acidity, terrific body. Yet the whole package on this night just didn’t fully integrate.

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• NV Cascina Chicco Roero Arneis Arcass Vendemmia Tardiva Vino da Uve Stramture

  Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Roero

  A most enjoyable, easy to drink yet sophisticated wine. Slightly malty and not overly sweet.

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