San Diego WineSpectator.com Offline al tartufo, 1/18/2020

Solare Restaurant, Liberty Station, Point Loma, San Diego CA
Tasted Saturday, January 18, 2020 by Javachip with 245 views

Introduction

Thirteen of us gathered at Solare for an evening of friendship, fine wine, fine Italian cuisine, and fresh winter truffles.

We voted on our favorite wines in two categories, white (including sparkling and sweet) and red. Rankings are by group vote, point scores are my own.

Flight 1 - White wines (6 Notes)

A hush fell, like the entrance of royalty, as the fresh Alba truffles were brought into the room. The champagnes and dry still wines were tasted with the first two dishes on the menu: flan di ricotta e tartufo bianco; and risotto, uovo e tartufo bianco. The sweet wine was tasted with dessert: choice of tiramisu or chocolate mousse.

Flight 2 - Red wines (8 Notes)

Next on the menu was Angus filetto al tartufo nero. We passed the golf ball sized black truffles around the table before they were sliced into and onto the dish.

  • 1995 Gaja Barbaresco Sorì Tildìn 95 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

    Bottle opened at 5 PM, decanted at 5:30 PM, re-bottled at 6 PM, taken to the restaurant and tasted at 8 PM. Clear dark ruby color. Beautiful bouquet of black raspberry, cherry, violets, dark baking spice, leather, stony red soil, mocha. Similar on the palate, full body, balanced, seamless, refined, lingering finish. Group's SECOND PLACE.

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  • 1994 Urbina Rioja Gran Reserva 93 Points

    Spain, La Rioja, Rioja

    Popped and poured, not decanted. Clear dark blood-ruby-garnet color. Outstanding wine with notes of red cherries, barnyard, and leather. Undoubtedly would benefit from longer aeration.

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  • 1998 Gaja Langhe Nebbiolo Sperss 95 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

    Clear dark garnet-ruby-blood red color. Outstanding notes of red cherries, roses, manure, tar, stony soil, fennel, green tobacco. Similar on the palate, medium-full body, chalky tannins, seamless, lingering finish. Group's THIRD PLACE.

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  • 2001 Antinori Solaia 98 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

    Clear inky deep garnet color. Glorious bouquet of fresh blackberries, cherries, leather, violets, lilac, stony red soil. Similar on the palate, full of life, full body, seamless, beautiful balance, polished tannins. Classic Super Tuscan, classic Italy. My #1 and group's FIRST PLACE.

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  • 2005 Elio Grasso Barolo Ginestra Casa Maté 97 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    Clear dark ruby-garnet red color. Glorious bouquet of pomegranates, cherries, blackberries, leather, mocha, dark baking spices, stony soil. Similar on the palate, full body, seamless, beautiful balance, polished tannins, lingering finish. At prime now with a decant, with decades of potential. My #2.

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  • 2004 Pio Cesare Barolo 95 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    Glorious notes of black cherries and blackberries and their liqueurs; roses, lavender, violets, stony red soil. Similar on the palate, medium-full body, seamless, polished tannins, beautiful balance, lingering finish. Showing brilliantly now, with long life ahead. My #3.

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  • 2007 Joseph Drouhin Chambolle-Musigny 91 Points

    France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny

    Clear blood ruby color. Beautiful bouquet of red cherries, raspberries, horse sweat, musk, red soil. Similar on the palate, seamless, medium body, balanced, traditional Old World style with terroir and animal quality. Improved with air. Very nice.

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  • 2013 Castello di Ama L'Apparita Toscana IGT 94 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

    Opened late in the evening. Clear dark garnet color. Outstanding notes of black cherries, blackberries, plum, leather, coffee. Improved with air, needs a decant. 100% merlot.

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Closing

As usual, a ridiculous excess of great wine. Grazie mille to owner Randy, executive chef Filippo, coordinator Petra, and the rest of the team for their wonderful food, service and hospitality. Many thanks also to the members of our wine tasting group for their camaraderie and generosity of spirit and vino. Until next time, ciao!

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