NK Monprivato Vertical

This was the Saturday evening of La Festa del Barolo. As has become a tradition, Ben and Wendy hosted a group of friends for a wonderful meal and wine dinner.

Photos and more details can be found on my website.

• NV Jacques Selosse V.O. Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut 94 Points

  France, Champagne, Champagne Grand Cru

  [Disgorged 23 July 2008. Pop and pour.] Gold color. Appealing yeasty, cheesy nose. Delicious, long, complex. Subtle.

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Steve’s homemade country paté and liverwurst, along with store-bought salumi (prosciutto, speck). Served with homemade baguettes.

• 1971 Filippo Sobrero & Figli Barolo 95 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  [Predominantly from Monprivato. Double-decanted at 4:30pm.] Complex nose of forest floor, tar, and sour cherries. Lovely and elegant in the mouth. Juicy, long finish. Really a stunning wine, still in superb shape.

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• 1974 Filippo Sobrero & Figli Barolo Flawed

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  [Double-decanted about noon.] Weird nose. Not a good bottle.

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• 1971 Giuseppe E Figlio Mascarello Barolo 95 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  [This was a leftover from the Gala of La Festa del Barolo the night before.
  Not sure when it was decanted, but it had been open at least 24 hours.] Lovely, complex perfume. Elegant and expansive in the mouth. A beautiful wine seemingly at its peak. Amazing.

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• 1988 Giuseppe E Figlio Mascarello Barolo Monprivato 94 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  [Double-decanted about noon.] Beautiful! Dark and rich. Lots of fruit. So uncharacteristic of the 1988 vintage in Barolo. Surprise of the evening.

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Homemade pappardelle with mushroom sauce.

• 1989 Fratelli Brovia Barolo Monprivato Flawed

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  Corked. :(

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• 1990 Fratelli Brovia Barolo Monprivato 93 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  [Double-decanted about 4:30pm.] Lovely and elegant. Doesn't have the power of the Mascarello. More elegant in style. Lovely.

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• 1990 Giuseppe E Figlio Mascarello Barolo Monprivato 96 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  [Double-decanted about 3pm for an hour.] Wow! Complex and delicious. What a wine to drink tonight. Beautiful.

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• 1996 Giuseppe E Figlio Mascarello Barolo Monprivato 96 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  [Double-decanted about noon.] Big bouquet of black fruit, tar, and roses. Still, a huge, young wine, with many years ahead. Seems younger than the last time I had it. A wow wine with a great future. 95-97

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• 1996 Giuseppe E Figlio Mascarello Barolo Ca d'Morissio Riserva Monprivato 98 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  [Double-decanted about 3pm for 2 hours.] OMG, I thought the regular Monprivato was big. This is massive. Loads of black fruit on the nose and palate. It's just as well that I don't own this, since I won't live to taste it at its peak. Tasted again around 11pm. Slowly opening more and more. 97-99

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Braised short ribs with polenta, haricot verts.

• 1997 Giuseppe E Figlio Mascarello Barolo Monprivato 94 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  [Double-decanted about 1pm for 4 hours.] Lovely nose of red fruit, menthol and spice. Lots of sweet fruit and tannin in the mouth. Stunningly long finish. Very impressive for what I've found to be a hit and miss vintage for Barolo.

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• 1998 Giuseppe E Figlio Mascarello Barolo Monprivato 93 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  [Opened around 3:30 pm and double-decanted around 6:30pm.] The most forward wine since the 1990. Sweet fruit and spice in the nose. Sweet and spicy in the mouth with delicious long fruit finish. Time to start drinking these.

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• 1999 Giuseppe E Figlio Mascarello Barolo Monprivato 96 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  [Double-decanted about noon.] Gorgeous nose of tar, roses, and loads of fruit. Long, complex. Another wow wine from 1999.

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• 2000 Giuseppe E Figlio Mascarello Barolo Monprivato 92 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  [Opened around 4pm, then double-decanted around 7pm.] Muted black fruit nose. Long and tasty, but not the depth or complexity of the last 5 or 6 wines. Still, a tasty beverage to drink over the coming decade.

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• 2001 Giuseppe E Figlio Mascarello Barolo Monprivato 96 Points

  Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

  [Double-decanted about noon.] Another great Monprivato. Still big and tight. Needs another decade to fully show its stuff. Cherry nose. Long, sweet, juicy finish. A great way to finish the evening. 95-97

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Another glorious evening of great food, friends, and wine. Monprivato is unquestionably one of the Grand Crus of Barolo.

There was also Wendy's fabulous key lime pie.