1996 Barolo & Barbaresco Blind
L'Apicio, NYC
Tasted June 15, 2016 by kenv with 605 views
Introduction
This group was started by Tony Kim through the discussion forum on Antonio Galloni's Vinous. We've been meeting semi-regularly to drink Nebbiolo for close to two years now.
We met at L'Apicio in the East Village in NYC at 6:30. The food and the setting were perfect. I highly recommend L'Apicio.
The tasting was blind in a somewhat unusual way. We all knew which 12 wines were in the tasting and which sets of 4 wines were grouped into a flight, but we did not know the order of the flights or the order of the wines within each flight. However, we did a reveal after each flight, so we had no idea which flight was Flight 1, but we knew that Flight 2 was either the Barbaresco or the Serralunga flight, and when we got to Flight 3, we knew it had to be the Serralunga flight (but again, not the order of the wines within the flight).
For more details and lots of pix, look here:
http://www.finewinegeek.com/tn/2016-06-15_NV_1996_LApicio/
Flight 1 - Starter (1 note)
Focaccia and Olive Oil.
Flight 2 - Flight 1: Monforte d'Alba & Castiglione Falletto (4 notes)
Shared Apps:
Charred Octopus with Fregola, Sopressata, Olives, and Lemon.
Tuscan Kale Caesar with Shaved Brussels Sprouts, Parmesan Vinaigrette, and Pickled Red Onions.
Anson Mills Polenta with a Ragu of Pennsylvania Mushrooms.
Balsamic Tomato Bruschetta: Marinated Cherry Tomatoes, Ricotta, and Torn Basil.
Arancini with Tomato Sauce.
Flight 3 - Flight 2: Barbaresco (4 notes)
Shared Pasta Course:
Gnocchi with Braised Rabbit Ragu, Sage, and English Peas.
Tajarin (Hand-Cut Fettuccine) with Speck, Leeks, and Carbonara.
Spaghetti with Tomato, Basil, and Parmesan
and a side of Meatballs (gratis).
Flight 4 - Flight 3: Serralung d'Alba (4 notes)
New York Strip Steak with Summer Squash, Carrot Tops, and Dijon Glace.
Closing
1996 is a great vintage. Many of the best wines still need time, but with air are now showing a lot of their potential.