LdC Causal Italian Dinner

A subset of the LdC and a few others got together to try something different - Italian wines! We met at Prosecco, a restaurant I hadn't tried as they agreed to waive corkage for us. The chef came out and was excited by our wines, so we agree to just let him cook for the table which was great. Food was good, but perhaps not spactacular. Totally solid for a casual wine dinner and I would go back for sure.

Wines were mixed with some older mature examples and some young bucks. Overall the Giacosa, Altare, and Scavino were the highlights of the reds and of course Mark's 2001 d'Yquem was profound as usual and easy WOTN if you count it...

• 2000 Altemasi Trento Riserva Brut Graal 91 Points

  Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Trentino, Trento

  Surprsingly good for a non-champagne sparkler. Rich and creamy style with good red apple fruit. Lacks the chalky minerality of champagne, but really nice.

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• 1979 Castello di Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva 90 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Chianti Classico DOCG

  Full red color with a bit of lightening. Lovely bright red cherry nose with hints of rose and orange peel. Big bright red cherry with some dusty tannic structure with just a hint of licorice on the finish.

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• 1974 Antonio Vallana e Figlio Spanna Traversagna 93 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Northern Piedmont, Colline Novaresi

  Full deep crimson color. Medium nose of floral red cherry - clean and bright. Mmmn, very burgundian re dcherry palate with a hint of briar, but also structure. Lovely.

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• 1985 Elio Altare Barolo 94 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Full deep ruby red color. Lovely forward bright briar rose licorice black fruit nose. Nice ripe black fruit with good balance - tar, rose, and licorice again - classic barolo and very nice.

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• 2001 Château d'Yquem 99 Points

  France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

  Just keeps getting better. One of the profound wines of our time. Showing incredible coconut on the nose and wonderful mouthfeel. Will be a 100pt wine with time.

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• 1990 Paolo Scavino Barolo Bric dël Fiasc 93 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Full deep opaque purple color. Tight bright red fruit floral nose - very acidic in perception. Huge mouthful of structured acidic red/black fruit on the palate. A bit angular with the acidity, but good stuffing. Definitely worked better with the food and rounded out nicely with some air.

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• 1996 Pertinace (Cantina Vignaioli) Barbaresco Vigneto Castellizzano 92 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  Full deep black red color. Medium nose of black earth with notes of tar and rose. Big black fruit palate with acidic red fruit with plenty of structure remaining.

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• 1998 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Riserva Santo Stefano 95 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  Full deep ruby red color. Incredible towering nose of red fruit, tar, rose, and violets. The aroma from the decanter filled the cellar after 30 minutes! Incredible rich focused black fruit. Great depth and complexity. Young but great.

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