2017 Piemonte trip for Thuy's 40th!

The 2017 version of this annual trip had an extra benefit of being one of the group's 40th. An extra reason to go!

• 1977 Cantina Valchierina Barolo Flawed

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  (10/12/2017)

  Oxidised and never made the journey to year 40

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• 1996 Camerano Barolo Cannubi San Lorenzo Flawed

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  (10/12/2017)

  Really badly madly oxidised

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• 1996 Paolo Scavino Barolo 90 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  (10/12/2017)

  Quite evolved but very much healthy and was a nice soft expression of a Barolo. Light dark cherry, light spice, earthy tones. Well round and soft tannin, good acidity and a very enjoyable wine on the mature side. As with all these "old" Italian wines the specific bottle provenance is more important than anything else and this was not from the best kept cellar . 90

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• 2004 Sottimano Barbaresco Fausoni 91 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  (10/12/2017)

  This is no softie and maybe some decanting at this stage would help.
  It's big for a Barbaresco, but a true Barbaresco nonetheless, not modern or oaky and definitely has the 2004 signature. Big dark fruits, that signature tar feel, bright and full of energy. Felt quite flinty and note sure if it's from a bit too much salphur. 91 but definitely one needs to like the style

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• 1996 Sergio Giudice Barolo 90 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  (10/12/2017)

  With the caveat here that 90s Barolo from not a top cellar are a it of a gamble in our experience.
  This was a very nice, light earthy, on the after and evolved side Barolo, good cherry notes, still healthy and pretty to drink. Some decanting would have helped too. 90 from us and drink now

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The Main Event and the best of them all. A must.

• 2005 Philipponnat Champagne Brut Clos des Goisses 93 Points

  France, Champagne

  (10/13/2017)

  In bottle May 2006, disgorged Nov 2014 with 4.5g/l dosage. 65PN/35C
  Two very consistent and beautiful bottles, well evolved and mature ( more than expected) but still bright and exciting. Good ripe fruit, light touch of honey,yeasty , floral if we me add. Maybe a touch too round and could have used a bit more acidity. Very good though 92-94

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• 2002 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia 94 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Sassicaia

  (10/13/2017)

  From a beautiful magnum straight from the cells of Ciau Del Tornavento. Opened and left to rest for 35 minutes or so.
  This is among the best drinking Sassicaia now and they made a superb wine out of a poor vintage. Soft wine but with energy, round and silky but very much alive and giving, the nose is dark fruited, light leather, pepper. Very much a cab Sauv nose. Singing wine full of elegance and class. 93-95 and drinks superbly now.

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• 2004 Pianpolvere Soprano Barolo Riserva Bussia 91 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  (10/13/2017)

  2 very consistent bottles, not de enacted but we should have.
  Very classically made Barolo and speaks very much the 2004 vintage. Dark cherry, light tar on the nose, herbs. Still very much youthful but inviting and giving. Rich fruit on the palate and very nice.a touch rustic if we are to pass some criticism. 91-92

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• 2001 Luciano Sandrone Barolo Le Vigne Sibi et Paucis 93 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  (10/13/2017)

  From a beautiful magnum from the cellar of Ciau del Tornavento.
  We have tried the normal release in the past ( Papies 94 a year ago) and this sort of library release branded "Sibi et Paucis" . This is younger less evolved wine than we remember the normal release , rich dark fruit, cherry, bright and energetic. Will need it's time to develop but it will be special once it does. Love the softer fruit and how well made and elegant this wine is. 93 for now but full of promise.

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• 2001 Roberto Voerzio Barolo Riserva Vecchie Viti dei Capalot e delle Brunate 93 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  (10/13/2017)

  From a beautiful magnum again from the unique cella of Ciau Del Tornavento.
  Very special once again well on the money and in prime drinking age. Good ripe fruit, dark cherry, good evolution of the wine, light earthy, light herbs. Bright still and very much alive, silky but very much present tannin. 92-3and drinks very nicely now

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• 2004 Marcarini Barolo Brunate 92 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  (10/13/2017)

  From magnum.
  This came at the end of a very beautifully long lunch at Ciau Del Tornavento and this note is impacted by palate fatigue. We should have decanted the wine but did not have the luxury of time.
  Quite dark fruited, ripe rich fruit on the palate, cherry , light tar. This is just entering its drinking window and does benefit however from the 2004 ripeness which makes it more forward and approachable. Very solid. 92-93

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• NV Distillerie Berta Grappa Riserva 70 Anni Anniversario 1947 - 2017

  Italy, Piedmont, Asti

  (10/13/2017)

  By the glass at La Ciau del Tornavento.
  A really special and elegant grappa, soft, smooth but with depth. Really special.

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• NV Marolo Grappa 20 Years Old

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  (10/13/2017)

  By the glass at La Ciau del Tornavento.
  Barrel aged, round an smooth. Has a lot of presence. The aging in barrel has definitely soften this up and makes for a great way to finish a long lunch . Very good

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• NV Gaja Grappa di Barbaresco

  Italy, Piedmont, Piemonte DOC

  (10/13/2017)

  By the glass at La Ciau deal Tornavento.
  This is not for the light hearted grappa drinkers, sharp, focussed on the aggressive side and dare we say a bit too aggressive for the barrel aged loving grappa occasional drinkers like us

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• 2001 La Spinetta (Rivetti) Barbaresco Vürsù Vigneto Valeirano 90 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  (10/13/2017)

  Quite a straight forward well made wine. Still very much youthful, good dark cherry, light smoky at times. Good fruit density on the palate , well round, silky. Lacked a bit of complexity if we are to be harsh and sort of was a one trick pony. Maybe with time? 90

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• 2009 Domenico Clerico Barolo Ciabot Mentin 92 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  (10/13/2017)

  Young but still very inviting, modern but not overdone on oak or extraction. Round but very energetic, dark fruits, cherry, light herbs. Very much a modern Barolo but still well made and has a charm. Drinks very nicely now but has a good path ahead. 91-92 for now

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• 1977 Aurelio Settimo Barolo Flawed

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  (10/13/2017)

  Oxidised and gone.

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• 2000 Elio Altare Langhe La Villa 90 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

  (10/14/2017)

  Not sure why this is a "Langhe" ( most likely an additional international variety) . Well round smooth but with presence, dark fruited, well assimilated oak, silky tannin. Lacked a bit of an excitement factor and was a bit one dimensional in a way. A very good 90-91

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We went to try the breakfast and never left.. a new event in the making

• 2003 Dom Pérignon Champagne 93 Points

  France, Champagne

  (10/14/2017)

  Solid once again and definitely shows signs of reaching its peak years although this wine has quite a few summers of life. Less ripe feel than the 04 we tried right after ( Papies 94) but still very special wine. 93 once again

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• 2004 Dom Pérignon Champagne 94 Points

  France, Champagne

  (10/14/2017)

  The better along with the 2005 of the 2003, 04,05,06 flight we tried.
  Rounder richer, more giving and a lot more expressive wine. Richer and more approachable for a youngish Dom , more ripe than mineral. Very good and a solid 94

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• 2005 Dom Pérignon Champagne 94 Points

  France, Champagne

  (10/14/2017)

  At par with the 2004 at this stage from the younger Dom ( 2003-2006) quite spirited and bright with good rich fruit , inviting and quite welcoming even at this young age. A very solid wine once again and an easy 94

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• 2006 Dom Pérignon Champagne 93 Points

  France, Champagne

  (10/14/2017)

  Young but quite inviting, light honey touches, round for a young Dom and once again surprised us a bit on this front however both the vintage and resent string of vintages actually have proven well forward. This 2006 is a lot more honey, ripe fruited than its older siblings. Very bright and fresh and really special once again. 93-94

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• 2015 Cordero di Montezemolo Langhe Chardonnay Elioro 91 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

  (10/14/2017)

  Very bright, fresh feel interlaced with oaky dynamics, quite a bit of vanilla, floral and with a sweet honey touches . Quite expressive on the nose almost too much at times and borders on the confectionary. Don't get us wrong this is a very good wine especially if one is looking for a bit of a fatty buttery Chardonnay experience. A very solid 91 and we would suggest one drinks it now that is still very fresh.

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• 2010 Pio Cesare Barolo Ornato 92 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  (10/14/2017)

  From magnum. A very nice surprise and at age 7 this is drinking very well and will put to shame a lot more bigger names at this stage at least.
  Quite round and silky but with a firm presence, red fruits mix well with a dark fruit palate presence, light herby touch. Very good and a great suggestion by the sommelier of the Ciau Del Tornavento. 92-93

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• 2011 Elio Grasso Barolo Ginestra Casa Maté 92 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  (10/14/2017)

  Opened and served and most likely some decanting would have helped.
  Very inviting and approachable wine even at this young stage, a bit of a modern twist to the wine making here but really adds rather than take away and this was a very enjoyable wine. Nice ripe dark fruit in good balance with structure of the wine and had a very solid presence. Very good 92 for now and with good life ahead.

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A very good find for 2017 albeit came after the long breakfast > lunch at Ciau. Still a worthy place, very good food and very good value and quality wine list.

• 2004 Ruinart Champagne Dom Ruinart Blanc de Blancs 92 Points

  France, Champagne

  (10/14/2017)

  Tasted blind and guessed Dom 2000.
  Ripe, round, well evolved and definitely a lot more round and less spirited than we expected from a BdB from 2004. Honey, yeast, brioche and good ripe fruit. Could have used a bit more energy but a very good wine nonetheless . 92

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• NV Jacques Selosse Initial

  France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

  (10/14/2017)

  16 October 2015 discorgement.
  Tasted blind and the oxidative side of it made us point to a Selosse, but really thought this was one of the solera ones. A lot more evolved than we expected , more oxidative for this age. Good mineral side , ripe fruited and very bright too. We have had our ups and downs with Selosse's champagnes and this looks like a down. Will not rate this time.

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• 2001 Prunotto Barolo Bussia 92 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  (10/14/2017)

  Tasted blind. Guessed 2007 ( we knew it was Barolo )
  Still very much spirited and alive, bright, not textbook Barolo aromatics, light liquorice, dark fruited. Menthol touches and herbs. A good Barolo and a nice 92

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• 2006 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Cascina Francia 90 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  (10/14/2017)

  Tasted blind and we went again for a 2007 as we knew it was a Barolo.
  This is definitely a good wine but had a very strong menthol and liquorice note on the nose that made it a bit out of tune. The rest of the wine was spot one with good dark fruit, good acidity and in a way classically made. 90-91

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• 2004 Domenico Clerico Barolo Percristina 94 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  (10/14/2017)

  Two years since we tried it last and found it closed and reserved this is now hitting its stride. Definitely taking over from the 2001 ( tried it by the glass earlier and Papies 93 and drink now) .
  Very good and very well made, modern winemaking used to make better wines here and on top of that the wine benefits from the ripeness of the 2004. Well made and elegant wine , good dark ripe fruit, good acidity and has an elegance . Give this a few more years and it will cross the 95 barrier . 94 for now and wait or decant.

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• 2007 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Rabajà 92 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  (10/15/2017)

  From magnum and not decanted.
  Having had this last year (Papies 93) we could not say no to trying it again. after all Antica Torre is opposite the Produttori del Barbaresco! Once again very supple, giving and welcoming wine, silky tannin but with good structure and has a very good depth of flavor full of dark cherries. No tar notes here. 92-93 once again and a beauty to be enjoyed now.

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• 2007 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano 92 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  (10/15/2017)

  From magnum and not decanted. Once again a year later side by side with the 2007 Rabaja also from magnum (Papies 92-93)
  Felt actually touch less than the Rabaja more firm and less round with more grippy tannin. But the truth these are finer details as this along with its sibling the Rabaja are both excellent wines to be enjoyed now and just shown once again. Drink the Rabaja cellar the montestefano! 92-93 from us

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• 2009 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Asili 92 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco

  (10/15/2017)

  Quite dark and dense richer but still at the start of its drinking window. Very inviting and giving though. Very classic, dark cherry nose, lacks the tar we usually see in this area and is more floral and roses . Very pretty wine and still very much at the beginning of its journey. 91-92 for now but patience.

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• 2006 Gosset Champagne Brut Grand Millésime 92 Points

  France, Champagne

  (10/15/2017)

  Quite a bright and energetic champagne , beautiful palate presence, rich and ripe, yeasty good tasty feel and very giving. Very welcoming but also very much an elegant wine and although it delivers on the rich front it does not feel heavy or flat and has good acidity. Very nice now that is fresh 92

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Alla Prossima!