The Kirsch Italian Extravaganza

Our friends Larry and Margie Kirsch invited us to this spectacular dinner with an Italian theme and Italian wines mostly from Piedmont. They took over the entire upstairs at 677 Prime and had special foods brought up from Arthur Avenue in the Bronx.

Photos and many more details can be found on my website.

• 2015 Gaja Langhe Chardonnay Gaia & Rey 95 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

  [Pop and pour from a half bottle.] Huge, complex nose of lemon custard and marzipan. Rich in the mouth. Long, complex finish of minerals and mixed citrus fruits. Quite stunning.

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• 1989 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Asili 93 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  [From a magnum double-decanted around 2pm.] Heavenly nose of red fruit and truffles. Juicy tannins. Black fruits, violets, autumn leaf mulch, Medium length. Lots of life left.

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• 1989 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano 95 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  [From a magnum double-decanted around 2pm.] Tight, smoky, red fruit nose. In the mouth, black fruit, long and complex. So delicious. Just singing now.

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• 1989 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà 97 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  [From a magnum double-decanted around 2pm.] Huge red and black fruit nose. Complex, roses, violets, anise. Still a really big wine. Just stunning. I wish I could sit with this all evening.

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• 1998 Gaja Barbaresco 92 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  [Double-decanted around 2pm.] Black fruit and tar in the nose. Quite appealing, but it does seem to be beginning its downslope. Enjoy now!

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• 1997 Gaja Barbaresco 94 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  [Double-decanted around 2pm.] Much bigger and darker than the 98. Rich and ripe with lots of tar and black fruit. Classic. A beautiful Barbaresco.

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• 1993 Gaja Barbaresco Costa Russi 94 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  [Double-decanted around 2pm.] Huge black cherry nose. Shockingly big and rich for a 93. Long, complex, licorice, tar and plums. This has to be the wine of the vintage.

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• 1997 Gaja Langhe Nebbiolo Costa Russi 95 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

  [Double-decanted around 2pm.] Black plums and spice in the nose. Big, tarry, rich, quite young. Should drink well for 20 more years. Quite modern and powerful, but not oaky.

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• 1997 Emidio Pepe Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 95 Points

  Italy, Abruzzi, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo

  [From a magnum opened around 7pm, but not decanted.] Massive black fruit nose. Huge, rich, black fruit and tar in layers and layers. Way too young now, but this wine has a glorious future. 94-96

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What an amazing evening. So much great wine, great food, and great friends! The generosity of Larry and Margie was overwhelming.