Dinner with Steve & Lucie

For various reasons the four of us had not been together for dinner in many months. This get together lasted over six hours and was a great opportunity to catch up on life. Not surprisingly we enjoyed more than 5 bottles of alcoholic beverages.

• NV Zardetto Prosecco Brut

  Italy, Veneto / Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Prosecco

  Used to mix up a batch of Aperol Spritz.
  See Aperol Aperitivo Liqueur for details.

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• NV Aperol Aperitivo Liqueur

  Italy

  Used half of a liter bottle (500 ml) to mix up a batch of Aperol Spritz per the Original Recipe:
  One bottle (750 ml) of Prosecco (used Zardetto Brut NV)
  Half liter (500 ml) of Aperol Aperitivo Liquer
  Partial bottle (250 ml) (~8 oz or half a 16 oz bottle) of Orange flavored Seltzer -- to enhance the orange flavor.
  Serve in a large glass with ice to taste. Always a hit - there's something about that bright orange color...
  We enjoyed our Spritz with some light appetizers before dinner.

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• 2007 Calera Pinot Noir Selleck Vineyard 94 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Mount Harlan

  Opened to honor Josh Jensen given his recent passing. A true Pinot Pioneer.
  Decanted for 1 hour based on our previous experiences and this bottle lived up to expectations. Actually, a bit better than our previous bottle on 1/1/22. In fact, so good that our dinner companions, who are not particularly Pinot Noir drinkers, commented on how smooth, round and balanced this wine was.
  This wine was enjoyed alongside a bottle of 2006 Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Santa Caterina D'Oro Vigna di Pianrosso, with our entree of Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe and Sausage.

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• 2006 Ciacci Piccolomini d'Aragona Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Santa Caterina D'Oro Vigna di Pianrosso 92 Points

  Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

  An initial tasting upon popping the cork showed lots of acidity with little fruit. The wine was then decanted for 2 hours based on our previous experience. The medium bodied palate showed a mix of red and black fruits, good acidity, secondary notes of cedar, tertiary notes of leather and earth, but still presented some drying tannins on the finish. This wine is showing its age but can still provide several years of enjoyable drinking, especially when given a good dose of air up front.

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• 1992 Dow Porto Vintage Quinta do Bomfim 90 Points

  Portugal, Douro, Porto

  From a 375 ml bottle. Decanted for only 1 hour (with lots of sediment) and this wine definitely needed more air time. Much of my core impressions of this wine follow that of the 12/4/21 TN of ikkaariainen - although I would like to know whether that bottle was decanted, and if so, for how long.
  Nose of raisins, red and black fruit and a touch of tobacco. The palate showed the same elements as the nose, along with some spice. The wine was smooth and integrated and had a lingering finish. It went well with the blueberry pie served as dessert.
  I have two more 375 ml bottles and look forward to seeing how this wine develops over the next 5 to 10 years.

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• 2014 L'Aventure The Sibling 92 Points

  USA, California, Central Coast, Paso Robles

  Opened to drink between the entree and the dessert as the conversation continued. Had not planned on needing another bottle of red wine, so the first glass was a PnP. The second glass, about 20 minutes later, was more enjoyable. There were aromas of red and black fruits. The medium to plus bodied palate showed a good helping of these red and black fruits along with some spice and some earth. The acidity was vibrant, but did not outrun the fruit, and there was a touch of tannin on the finish.
  The blend is Grenache heavy at 66%, then Syrah at 20% and Mourvedre at 14%. I would expect this wine to hold for several years.

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