Dinner Party @ Home: Ellen's Take on Lidia Bastianich's(Felidia, NYC) Cuisine

Guests: Lourdes & Charles Humble; Maria & Angel Suarez(our associates); Gus Vidauretta
Cheffess - Ellen Friedman
Sommelier - Mark Friedman(me)

MENU: Mussels Tuscan Style; Chicken Cacciatore; Frissee, Endive and Celery Salad with Meyer Lemon/Fennel
l Seed Oil Dressng; Strawberries w 25 yr Balsamic & Black Pepper
Christina Suarez' White Chocolat Petit-Fours
Cheese Course: 2 Herbal Spiced Goat Cheeses(Epicure); Cabot(Vermont) Cloth bound Cheddar & Cornish Yarg(Sunset Corners); Parmigiano-Reggiano(The Fresh Market). Rustique Baggettes(Le Provence)

• 2000 Argyle Extended Tirage Brut 93 Points

  USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley

  - Light gold color with large pearls and aromas of lemon and leesy. It's balanced and has flavours of lemon, pineapple and hazelnut with a medium/full body. Bright texture with a medium finish - Initially too cold, but bouquet grew

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• 2008 Les Crêtes Valle d'Aosta Cuvée Bois 92 Points

  Italy, Valle d'Aosta

  - Yellow color with medium forming legs and aromas of cut green grass, lemon and geranium. It's in total harmony and has flavours of lemon and apricot with a medium body. Polished texture with a medium finish - First bottle. Worthy Northern Italian Chardonnay, probably =/better than Jermann!

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• 1997 Paolo Scavino Barolo Carobric 95 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  - Brick color with fast forming legs and aromas of eucalyptus, strawberry and rose. It's in total harmony and has flavours of strawberry and licorice anise with a medium/full body. Juicy texture with a long finish - From Magnum. Based on prior experience, decanted for 4hrs in am. Last bottle, at peak now.

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• 1997 Silvio Grasso Barolo Bricco Luciani 93 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  - Ruby color with fast forming legs and aromas of blackberry and rose. It's balanced and has flavours of blackberry and licorice anise with a medium/full body. Polished texture with a long finish.

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• 2007 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia 92 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Superiore

  - Aromas of black currant, blackberry, violet and cedar. It's balanced and has flavours of black currant, blackberry and licorice anise with a medium/full body. Polished texture with a long finish - Based on CellarTracker comments decanted for 2+hrs. WRONG!!! BEST RIGHT OUT OF THE BOTTLE, WHEN IT RESEMBLED AN AUTHENTIC ORNELLAIA. Lacks the structure for aging, as JR points out more Cali, than Italian! I PRAY THE 07 MASETTO DOESN'T HAVE THE SAME CHARACTERISTICS!

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• 2004 Avignonesi Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva Grandi Annate 93 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montepulciano, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

  Decanted for 1+hrs. Group's WOTN, not mine(I think because it was the last one tasted.). Lavender, tar, anise flavors. Very good, but didn't seem as good as Tuesday night.

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• 2006 Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling Late Harvest Ethos 92 Points

  USA, Washington, Columbia Valley

  - Yellow gold color with fast forming legs and aromas of apricot, peach and orange blossom. It's balanced and has flavours of apricot, peach, honey and hazelnut with a medium body. Bright texture with a long finish - Poured to accompany the CANNOLIS!

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Interesting cast of characters. Planned based on Cuban heritage. Angel & Gus were in the 1967 Class at Coral Gables High School. Maria and Charles seated together were apt to Quote the Bible(together)! Group had a great dynamic. We passed Cinderella's 12am bewitching hour with ease.

CHRISTINA's White Chocolate Petit-Fours were Delicious! Watch out Gaston LeNotre!!!