San Diego WineSpectator.com Offline al tartufo, 1/18/2020
Solare Restaurant, Liberty Station, Point Loma, San Diego CA
Tasted January 18, 2020 by Javachip with 244 views
Introduction
Thirteen of us gathered at Solare for an evening of friendship, fine wine, fine Italian cuisine, and fresh winter truffles.
We voted on our favorite wines in two categories, white (including sparkling and sweet) and red. Rankings are by group vote, point scores are my own.
Flight 1 - White wines (6 notes)
A hush fell, like the entrance of royalty, as the fresh Alba truffles were brought into the room. The champagnes and dry still wines were tasted with the first two dishes on the menu: flan di ricotta e tartufo bianco; and risotto, uovo e tartufo bianco. The sweet wine was tasted with dessert: choice of tiramisu or chocolate mousse.
White - Sparkling
1995 Krug Champagne Vintage Brut
France, Champagne
Clear deep yellow-gold with scant fine bead. Faded on the nose, better on the palate, with notes of cider, butterscotch, lemon peel. Pleasantly tart and pure. This particular bottle seems past prime. Group's THIRD PLACE.
White
2016 Bruno Giacosa Roero Arneis
Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Roero
Clear straw yellow color. Magical bouquet of fresh white flowers, quince, dragon fruit. Dry, crisp, exuberant, pure and precise. My #1.
White - Sweet/Dessert
1955 Barton & Guestier Barsac
France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Barsac
Base neck fill. Cork seemed snug but pushed intact into bottle. Decanted. Clear medium-dark amber color. Mesmerizing notes of roasted cashew, honey, tangerine peel, brown sugar. Unctuous mouthfeel, fresh and pure. Bonus points for longevity. Our resident Frenchman remarked "tastes better than it looks." My #3.
Flight 2 - Red wines (8 notes)
Next on the menu was Angus filetto al tartufo nero. We passed the golf ball sized black truffles around the table before they were sliced into and onto the dish.
Red
1995 Gaja Barbaresco Sorì Tildìn
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco
Bottle opened at 5 PM, decanted at 5:30 PM, re-bottled at 6 PM, taken to the restaurant and tasted at 8 PM. Clear dark ruby color. Beautiful bouquet of black raspberry, cherry, violets, dark baking spice, leather, stony red soil, mocha. Similar on the palate, full body, balanced, seamless, refined, lingering finish. Group's SECOND PLACE.
Red
1994 Urbina Rioja Gran Reserva
Spain, La Rioja, Rioja
Popped and poured, not decanted. Clear dark blood-ruby-garnet color. Outstanding wine with notes of red cherries, barnyard, and leather. Undoubtedly would benefit from longer aeration.
Red
1998 Gaja Langhe Nebbiolo Sperss
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC
Clear dark garnet-ruby-blood red color. Outstanding notes of red cherries, roses, manure, tar, stony soil, fennel, green tobacco. Similar on the palate, medium-full body, chalky tannins, seamless, lingering finish. Group's THIRD PLACE.
Red
2001 Antinori Solaia
Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
Clear inky deep garnet color. Glorious bouquet of fresh blackberries, cherries, leather, violets, lilac, stony red soil. Similar on the palate, full of life, full body, seamless, beautiful balance, polished tannins. Classic Super Tuscan, classic Italy. My #1 and group's FIRST PLACE.
Red
2005 Elio Grasso Barolo Ginestra Casa Maté
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
Clear dark ruby-garnet red color. Glorious bouquet of pomegranates, cherries, blackberries, leather, mocha, dark baking spices, stony soil. Similar on the palate, full body, seamless, beautiful balance, polished tannins, lingering finish. At prime now with a decant, with decades of potential. My #2.
Red
2004 Pio Cesare Barolo
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
Glorious notes of black cherries and blackberries and their liqueurs; roses, lavender, violets, stony red soil. Similar on the palate, medium-full body, seamless, polished tannins, beautiful balance, lingering finish. Showing brilliantly now, with long life ahead. My #3.
Red
2007 Joseph Drouhin Chambolle-Musigny
France, Burgundy, Côte de Nuits, Chambolle-Musigny
Clear blood ruby color. Beautiful bouquet of red cherries, raspberries, horse sweat, musk, red soil. Similar on the palate, seamless, medium body, balanced, traditional Old World style with terroir and animal quality. Improved with air. Very nice.
Red
2013 Castello di Ama L'Apparita Toscana IGT
Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
Opened late in the evening. Clear dark garnet color. Outstanding notes of black cherries, blackberries, plum, leather, coffee. Improved with air, needs a decant. 100% merlot.
Closing
As usual, a ridiculous excess of great wine. Grazie mille to owner Randy, executive chef Filippo, coordinator Petra, and the rest of the team for their wonderful food, service and hospitality. Many thanks also to the members of our wine tasting group for their camaraderie and generosity of spirit and vino. Until next time, ciao!
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