Elio Grasso Dinner

Boston Harbor Hotel
Tasted Wednesday, February 25, 2009 by Cahill with 579 views

Introduction

Gianluca Grasso attended to tell amusing anecdotes about his father and to describe his wines that were served with a 5 course menu from Chef Bruce.

Flight 1 - Apperitif (1 Note)

Flight 2 - Appetizer (2 Notes)

The appetizer was a pan seared san peitro fillet with purple sticky rice and tomato red wine butter.

  • 2007 Elio Grasso Dolcetto d'Alba Dei Grassi 87 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Dolcetto d'Alba

    Very nice, I often struggle with Dolcetto, this one is subtle with nice balance. Grapey fruit with a bit of cherry, but subtle, and matched with earthy wood tones that matched exactly the flavors of the Thai purple sticky rice in the appetizer.

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  • 2007 Elio Grasso Langhe Nebbiolo Gavarini 88 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

    No oak. Light cherry and a bit of grape fruit, some nice licorice and baking spices. Another subtle and nicely balanced wine with a bit of that nebbiolo tannic pull on the tongue.

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Flight 3 - Pasta (1 Note)

The pasta course was a fresh fettucini carbonara with smoky bacon, caramelized shallots and snap peas.

  • 2005 Elio Grasso Barbera d'Alba Vigna Martina 90 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Barbera d'Alba

    Aged in barrique, 50% new. Thick and rich compared to the langhe nebbiolo and the dolcetto (and compared to most barberas). Thick black fruits and spice with a bit of wood showing, acid is noticeable in the mouth, but not an acidic barbera. This could easily age.

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Flight 4 - Entre (2 Notes)

The entre was a juniper roasted wild boar chop with chestnut polenta and black tuscan kale.

  • 2004 Elio Grasso Barolo Ginestra Casa Maté 92 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    This was served with a main course of juniper crusted wild boar chop, chestnut polenta and black tuscan kale. Very tight when served, big spice and licorice with a touch of black fruit. Anne pushed her glass aside for 45 minutes, and red cherries started jumping out of it. Tannic pull on the finish, but very nice tannins.

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  • 2004 Elio Grasso Barolo Gavarini Chiniera 93 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    More open than the GCM tonight. Gobs of spiced, sweet black fruit. Finishes with beautiful tannins.

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Flight 5 - Cheese (1 Note)

Trilogy of Italian cheeses with truffle laced fennel and wild mushrooms.

  • 1999 Elio Grasso Barolo Riserva Rüncot 94 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo

    This was just a blast. Spiced black fruit and giant red cherries. Beautifully balanced with plenty of round tannins on the finish (and plenty of sediment in the glass. This was just starting to hit its stride and was the highlight of the night.

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