Some Italian Wines with friends

Local upscale Italian Restaurant
Tasted Sunday, June 14, 2015 - Monday, June 15, 2015 by Loren Sonkin with 388 views

Introduction

This past weekend, my wife and I were joined by two friends for an extravagant 12 course meal at a local restaurant. The food was great as was the company. As for the wines, they are listed in the order we drank them in although we did go back to retaste a couple. Non-blind, pop and pour. The meal lasted 4 hours.

Flight 1 (8 Notes)

  • NV Ferrari Brut 89 Points

    Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Trentino, Trento

    (6/14/2015)

    Did not note the Lot No. but this was a new batch of these wines and a bit better. The nose has seltzer, slight peach and slight melon. Nice mousse. Smaller bubbles. On the palate this is refreshing with some complexity. Returning to it at the end of the meal, this put on some weight and drinks way above it $20 price tag.

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  • 2003 Garofoli Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Riserva Serra Fiorese Flawed

    Italy, Marche, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico

    (6/14/2015)

    Deep golden in color. This bottle offered up some interesting notes but was partly oxidized and went downhill quickly with air. At 13, it would have been ambitious but the cork crumbled and there it is. Still, it has a lovely texture and shows some depth. Dale, who brought it, said this was the last bottle of a case that drank well as recently as two years ago. Oh well, time to move on.

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  • 2012 Cantina Terlan Chardonnay Terlano Kreuth 92 Points

    Italy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Alto Adige, Terlano

    (6/14/2015)

    Easily the best showing for this Chard I have yet. It has really developed and opened. Great apricot notes with some buttery qualities. A bit of smoke. Excellent acidity. Great texture. Layers of complexity. A different take on Chardonnay but really showing well. Excellent with the food.

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  • 2001 Foradori Granato 92 Points

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

    (6/14/2015)

    Nice showing. A nose of cherries, cranberries and slight floral notes. Tannins completely resolved. Nice texture. Teroldego doesn't get any better than this. That said, I would drink sooner than later. Seems to be at peak. Fresh cherries with some earth and dried fruit. Nice balance. Great with food. Pretty wine.

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  • 2000 Tenuta Santa Raffaella Gattinara 93 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Northern Piedmont, Gattinara

    (6/15/2015)

    Really exceptional. I know nothing of this producer, but this wine was seemingly at peak. It is so great when you catch a wine at the top. Everything you want from Nebbiolo. Reddish brown in color. The nose has cherries, dried cherries, roses, dried rose petals, and tar. Layers of complexity on the nose and palate. Just a hint of tannins left. Cherries, dried cherries and earthy notes on the palate. A nice back bone of acidity works well with the food. Very impressive showing.

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  • 2007 Michele Chiarlo Barolo Tortoniano 90 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    (6/15/2015)

    A nice Barolo. Not profound but a bit more than solid. Ruby in color, slight brown. On the nose, nice cherry fruit with some roses. Palate is more about cherries with some dried cherries. Slight tannins. Some complexity. Lacks the great acidity of others on the table. Very though.

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  • 1999 Luigi Pira Barolo Margheria 93 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    (6/15/2015)

    Really nice showing for this wine. Pretty much at peak, perhaps a bit shy. The nose has cherries, dark cherries, tar and slight dried rose notes. Complex and layered. Nice acidity. Medium tannins still present. Cherries on the palate too. Nice finish. Great food wine.

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  • 2004 Gaja Barbaresco 92 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

    (6/15/2015)

    Still young, but this is drinking well. Ruby in color. The nose has cherries and roses with a bit of tar. Juicy texture. Lots of cherries and firm tannins on the palate. Nice acidity. Very drinkable. I doubt this ever gets truly profound, but it might improve a bit from here. Still, no regrets opening it now either.

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Closing

I could not, would not do this every day/week, but once in a while, its nice to indulge.

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