Lots of Italians and a bunch of others

Last night, my wife and I met Tom and Kathy Futey for dinner at one of Cleveland's newest restaurants, Trentina. This was our first time there since they have officially opened. The food was incredible. Its expensive, but well worth the splurge every once in a while. Service was great. And, we saw lots of friends at other tables which is always nice. As for the wines:

• 2011 Favia Sauvignon Blanc Linea 94 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Coombsville

  Wow. This was really excellent. I think the term I used was it transcended Sauvignon Blanc and was an outstanding wine. Light gold in color. The nose has lemons, lemon cream, peaches, very slight fresh cut grass. On the palate, this is full bodied with a great texture. Really full and round without being flabby in any way. Lots of great lemon fruit. Complex and layered. Long finish. Beautiful.

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• 2011 Kamen Estate Sauvignon Blanc 91 Points

  USA, California, Sonoma County

  This is really good but more typical for a California Sauvignon Blanc. The nose is a bit grassy with tropical fruit and some floral notes. Medium bodied. On the palate, this is refreshing with a nice acidity. Tropical fruits and some lemon. Nice finish.

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• 2009 School House Chardonnay 89 Points

  USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District

  This is good, but not really my favorite style. Kind of classic Cal Chard but a well done version of it. Golden in color. The nose has lemon curd and vanilla and a bit of fresh cut oak. Full bodied. Lemon curd on the palate. Not a lot of complexity. Nice enough but not great.

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• 2005 Bouchard Père et Fils Corton-Charlemagne Domaine 92 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Beaune, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru

  This was very good. Light golden in color. The nose has grapefruit, chalk, and some charred wood. Full bodied. I would have preferred a bit more acidity, but this is acceptable. On the palate, grapefruit and lemon citrus. Long finish. Starting to show some complexity as it unwinds in the glass. Food friendly.

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• 2004 Foradori Granato 95 Points

  Italy, Trentino Alto-Adige / Veneto, Vigneti delle Dolomiti IGT

  I had this once before and it had a lot of barnyard. Not this bottle. It was slow-oxed for 12 hours. Very clean. Purple/ruby in color. Plums, cherries, graphite and coffee on the nose. Really powerful. Full bodied. On the palate, this drinks youthfully with medium tannins. Cherries, graphite and layers of complexity. Much less advanced than I thought it might be, this bottle anyway, had years left to it. Gorgeous.

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• 2003 Allegrini La Poja Veronese IGT 91 Points

  Italy, Veneto, Veronese IGT

  I got a few of these on a close out. The cork was soaked 80% of the way on all sides. I suspect this saw some heat, but this wine can probably take it better than others. This is my last, and by far the best bottle. IIRC, this is a 100% Corvina (one of the grapes in Amarone) bottling. Slow-oxed for 12 hours. The nose has dark cherries, chocolate and tobacco. Full bodied. complex and certainly seems to be at peak. Not upset that its my last bottle though.

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• 1996 Giacomo Borgogno & Figli Barolo Riserva Classico 90 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  This was ok, but I expected more. I wanted more. It just wasn't there. Slow-oxed for 12 hours, then decanted for sediment and served. I don't think it got too much air, as it did improve once in the glass. It took some coaxing but eventually the nose showed cherries, tar and slight roses. On the palate, this is medium bodied with a nice acidity. Light tannins. Cherries and slight dried cherry notes. Nice finish. Just a bit of complexity. It was an excellent wine, but a victim of higher expectations.

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• 2000 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Falletto di Serralunga d'Alba 94 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  This was pop and pour (back up bottle), but as the 96 Borgogno was just ok, I went with this. Much better. Light ruby in color. The nose has cherries, dark cherries, roses, licorice and tar. This is a big wine. Cherries, still has firm tannins. No sign that this is at peak yet. I know many say 2000 is an early maturing vintage, but I haven't seen it and this one is certainly not. This could have used a lot more air IMO, but so it goes. Long finish. Worked great with the food.

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• 2012 SonkinCellars Unmasked

  USA, California, North Coast, Yorkville Highlands

  Second time trying this wine since bottling. It wont be released until October but the Halcon mailer came today, so it seemed like a good time to try it. This has a lot of Halcon Syrah mixed in with some Whitehawk and some Petite Sirah as well. I gave it 13 hours of slow-ox which probably was not enough. It is very "northern rhone' in style but also from California. There is fruit here, but my wife who prefers fruit bombs let me know she prefers the Persona (our other wine). This is much more cool climate, but still a middle ground wine. Certainly more food friendly as the restaurant ordered a case even though its not available yet. I look forward to trying this side by side with both our Persona and the 2012 Halcon.

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• NV Alvear Pedro Ximénez Montilla-Moriles Solera 1927 96 Points

  Spain, Andalucía, Montilla-Moriles

  This is from a Solera started in 1927. I bought the bottle about 10 years ago and it has been in my cellar since then. Great showing. Its dark brown in color. The nose is gorgeous. It has Grade B Maple Syrup, some crème brulee, some slight raisins, and a bit of espresso. Thick and unctuous. It pours like syrup. Slightly sweet. Light on its feet though. Long finish. Intriguing. Just a gorgeous wine.

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Great night!