White Truffle Dinner – 78 Giacosas riservas, 88 Gentaz, 89 & 90 Sandrone, 00 CdM and etc.

A month ago, we planned our annual white truffle dinner. Unfortunately there was a mix up at fedex and we had no truffle. Luckily for us, the restaurant just received their shipment and offered to add alba truffles to all of our dishes with a $80 supplement which we happily obliged. The restaurant prepared five delicious truffle friendly dishes which made all of us incredibly happy.

• 2000 Krug Champagne Clos du Mesnil 98 Points

  France, Champagne

  Grand Chardonnay nose, ripe yellow fruits, pear, a hint of honey, ginger, smoke, custard, lanoline, white pepper and mineral. Very fine mousse, beautiful airy yet energetic palate that I associate with CDM. This was served next to the 96 Krug and the only common thread is that they both are great. I only had a few CDM but I am amazed by how complex they are without compromising the BdB energy and precision. Just incredibly enjoyable.

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• 1996 Krug Champagne Vintage Brut 97 Points

  France, Champagne

  Bought on release. Initially apple peel, tarte tatin, noticeable red fruits, delicate raspberry, sweet spices, brioche and mineral. The mousse seems finer than before, excellent concentration, bright acidity and lovely long sweet finish. With air, this became fresher, more delicate and sweeter. This bottle was drinking really well, no longer impressive but really enjoyable. A bit of air will do a lot of good. Lovely showing.

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• 2007 Domaine Leroy Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru Les Beaux Monts 95 Points

  France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Vosne-Romanée 1er Cru

  The 07s are drinking so beautifully at the moment and this is no exception. Crunch red fruits and a hint of black fruits, strawberry rhubarb tart, cranberry, blackberry syrup, a hint of stem, licorice, flower, dill and raw mushroom. Sweet ripe fruit driven palate impression, excellent concentration, soft and round and lovely harmonious finish that lingers. The fruit expression is not terribly complex but the nose and palate are still very captivating with really ripe yet crunch fruits. Very Leroy and very 2007. Tom found the dill note a bit too much. Really tasty. With air, it gained a bit more precision.

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• 1988 Gentaz-Dervieux Côte-Rôtie Cuvée Réservée Côte Brune Flawed

  France, Rhône, Northern Rhône, Côte-Rôtie

  I must be a lucky man to have so many generous friends. Unfortunately this was slightly off, every so slightly TCA tainted. Nevertheless, the palate displayed lovely red cherry fruits, smoke meat and Herbes de Provence. Really unique wine with kinda kinky nose.

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• 1978 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Riserva Speciale Villero di Castiglione Falletto 97 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Perhaps one of the most stony/mineral nose of my life, a hint of mint, pine needle, dry red and black cherries, licorice, tree bark, perfume, roasted chestnut, iron, tar, spicy spices and earth. Perfectly harmonious palate, singular, impressive tension and precision, strong mineral/iron presence and still noticeable tannins. I prefer the 78 Rionda Riserva slightly for the sweetness and roundness. Very intellectual wine.

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• 1978 Bruno Giacosa Barolo Riserva Speciale Collina Rionda 98 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Decadently sweet nose displaying cherry liqueur, tar, white truffle, balsamico, sweet spices, grilled porcini, wet forest floor and iron. Impressive concentration, decadently sweet, round and generous sweet red fruit driven palate impression, bright acidity and incredibly long sweet finish. A great example, really hedonistic wine.

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• 1990 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino 98 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Intense nose displaying sweet black fruits, black cherries, iron, rare steak, fruitcake, sweet spices, balsamico, tar, rose and earth. Excellent concentration, intense youthful jammy black fruit driven palate impression, chewy yet silky and lovely long finish. The fruit expression is still quite youthful but drinking incredibly well. Expressive youthful nose and perfectly balanced palate.

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• 1985 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Cascina Francia 95 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Sweet red fruits, dry cherry, tar, raisin, black tea, sweet spices, grilled mushroom and strong earthy note at the end. Excellent concentration, sweet dry fruit driven palate impression, good acidity and noticeable dusty tannins. This is bold and slightly rustic compare to the 90 Monfortino. It is really enjoyable at the moment but will actually improve with another five years of cellaring.

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• 1989 Luciano Sandrone Barolo Cannubi Boschis 96 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Warm and round nose displaying generous rich red fruits, caramel, tar, mushroom, leather and cedar. Excellent concentration, generous red fruit driven palate impression, nicely integrated tannins and lovely long finish. I really enjoyed generous sweet fruit. Perhaps not as precise and pure as the 78 Giacosas but as compelling and enjoyable for my palate.

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• 1990 Luciano Sandrone Barolo Cannubi Boschis 96 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Expressive but subtle nose displaying ripe black fruits, a hint of rose, licorice, tar, caramel and leather. This is more deeply toned and darker than the 89 version. Exceptional concentration, generous dark sweet fruit driven palate impression, nicely integrated tannins and lovely long finish. I slightly preferred the 89 for the precision and freshness.

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• 2004 Roberto Voerzio Barolo Cerequio 97 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Roberto’s wines don’t seem to shut down hard and this is no exception. Fresh blue fruits, strong floral note, dry cranberry, cola, caramel, licorice and sweet spices. Excellent concentration, polished silky palate, fine tannins and lovely long finish. I enjoyed it a lot. The current auction value is around $150 which is a great deal if you like the style which is very ripe and concentrated. I am in the same camp as Antonio Galloni.

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• 1998 Gaja Langhe Nebbiolo Sperss 93 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

  Youthful big ripe black fruits, dark sweet spices, caramel and a hint of cedar. Riche palate, sweet dark fruit driven palate impression, silky and noticeable but not obtrusive tannins. This was the last Barolo and since I really liked the Voerzio, I didn’t give the wine a fair chance. It felt very Gaja with generous sweet dark fruit.

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The dinner start at 5 and lasted til 10. A great time was had by all!