Solare Restaurant, Liberty Station, Point Loma, San Diego CA
Tasted Saturday, January 18, 2020 by Javachip with 245 views
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.
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.
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.
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!
1998 Piper-Heidsieck Champagne Cuvée Rare 96 Points
France, Champagne
Magnum. Clear straw yellow with fine bead. Outstanding notes of lemon, white grapefruit, croissant, dried chamomile, almond. Fresh, crisp, pure and precise. My #2, group's FIRST PLACE in this flight.
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1995 Krug Champagne Vintage Brut
France, Champagne
Clear deep yellow-gold with scant fine bead. Faded on the nose, better on the palate, with notes of cider, butterscotch, lemon peel. Pleasantly tart and pure. This particular bottle seems past prime. Group's THIRD PLACE.
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2016 Bruno Giacosa Roero Arneis 96 Points
Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Roero
Clear straw yellow color. Magical bouquet of fresh white flowers, quince, dragon fruit. Dry, crisp, exuberant, pure and precise. My #1.
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2008 Drappier Champagne Grande Sendrée 95 Points
France, Champagne
Clear straw yellow with lively fine bead. Wonderful notes of Meyer lemon, apple, brioche, orange blossom honey. Fresh, crisp and dry, pure, complex, precise, absolutely lovely. Group's SECOND PLACE.
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1995 Marquis de Laguiche (Joseph Drouhin) Chassagne-Montrachet
France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Chassagne-Montrachet
Clear yellow-gold color. Musty with faded notes of butterscotch, lemon, cider, toast. Off bottle perhaps?
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1955 Barton & Guestier Barsac 95 Points
France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Barsac
Base neck fill. Cork seemed snug but pushed intact into bottle. Decanted. Clear medium-dark amber color. Mesmerizing notes of roasted cashew, honey, tangerine peel, brown sugar. Unctuous mouthfeel, fresh and pure. Bonus points for longevity. Our resident Frenchman remarked "tastes better than it looks." My #3.
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