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TN: Barbaresco, Barolo, Ridge +
Pranzos
Tasted November 15, 2012 by Loren Sonkin with 391 views
Introduction
Went out to dinner with two other couples. BYO. Non blind and non geeky.
Flight 1 (1 note)
White
2010 Tablas Creek Vermentino
89 points
I really like this wine. Its been a while since I have had the opportunity to try it. Light golden in color. Very mineral driven nose, also has some tangerine and a bit of lanolin. On the palate, the minerality follows thru. Some citrus. Slight bitter note in a good way. Very nice mouth-feel. Food friendly.
Flight 2 (4 notes)
Red
2000 La Spinetta (Rivetti) Barbaresco Vürsù Vigneto Gallina
93 points
Decanted for about 30 minutes. Ruby in color. The nose is very nice with cherries, dust, roses and some earthy/sweaty notes. Full bodied. The oak on this, so prevalent on release, is very integrated now. It is still young, but starting to show some complex layering. No harm in drinking now and there is a lot of fruit, but no hurry on this. Very satisfying.
Red
2001 Montaribaldi Barbaresco Sorì Montaribaldi
91 points
Pop and poured, this is not ready yet. Ruby/purple in color. The nose has lots of dark cherries, some tar and roses. Not that big. On the palate, this took some time to open up. As it was the last wine of the night this never really got a chance. Still, it is very good right now, just primary. More dark cherries on the palate. Nice balance.
Red
1996 Parusso Barolo Mariondino
93 points
Not quite at peak yet. It is drinking well and showing some complexity, but kept improving and opening up at the table (pop and pour). Cherries, some dried cherries, roses and black licorice. Nice acidity that worked well with food. Layering on the palate. No hurry on this.
Red
2004 Ridge Lytton Springs
91 points
I think this got a few hours of slow ox before being brought to the restaurant. I am a fan of these wine; young or old. This is showing some development. A nose of black raspberries, dark cherries, some oak, and some red licorice. On the palate, smooth and easy to drink. Some layered complexity. Past its youthful stage and drinking with some maturity.
Flight 3 (2 notes)
White - Fortified
2009 Pride Mountain Vineyards Mistelle de Viognier
88 points
Not sure I got the vintage correct on this. I liked it. This is not very sweet, but it does make for a nice wine with Cannolis. The nose has pears and honey. Mildly viscous. Pears on the palate with just a perception of sweetness. A bit of acidity. Very nimble on its feet.
White - Sweet/Dessert
N.V. Carmody McKnight Chardonnay "Kathleen" Late Harvest Chardonnay
flawed
DOA. One of those bottles in my cellar I kept meaning to get to. The original price of $18/375 was still on the bottle. Oh well, this was shot.