Garagiste

• By Jon Rimmerman
  12/20/2009 (link)

  (MARITATO Podere La Vigne) Weekend Dear Friends, As I continue to recover from the Blue Hill event (what a night, even for me - notes to come), noteworthy new arrivals from Italy are the order of the day. All have arrived or will do so in the next few days. All will be ready for pick up before Christmas Eve. Have a good weekend everyone - - Jon Rimmerman ************************************ Holiday Deal: Maritato 2005 Podere la Vigna "Maritato" (Tuscany) (As far as I know, this wine is not exported to the US) This is a crazy deal that would have been a major offer but the 12-packs turned out to be 6-packs so now we don't have enough. Podere La Vigne has produced top-level Brunello for the past 3-4 vintages (the 2004 was a WS95) and this is their IGT - without the slathered oak that Tuscany has become addicted to. A combination of Sangiovese Grosso and Merlot, the Maritato has turned into a secret of sorts. It's an everyday overachiever that wishes to be classified in the same company as its $50-100 cousins from central Tuscany (at a fraction of the tariff). I'm not going to say this is the equal of Masseto or something ridiculous but you get the idea of what they are striving for. Extra points for keeping the price lower than any wine in its class. For comparison, you can check verbiage and pricing on the 2004 - the 2005 is just as good if not more elegant than the 2004. FIRST COME FIRST SERVED up to 24/person until we run out *********************************** 2004 Conterno Barolo Romirasco 1.5lt (very hard to find in large format - due to arrive Monday) *************************************** Artisan Holiday Treats: (local pick up only - these are too fragile to ship) Il Macchiaiolo Barolo Tagliolini Pasta (250g) Nothing says "Happy Holidays" like hand-made Barolo pasta (ok, maybe in my house but it could become a trend?). Il Macchiaiolo produces some of Italy's most sought after high-end pasta that is unlike anything you've ever tasted. Your preconception of what pasta is will change from the first glance and first whiff as the pasta begins to cook. Every batch is made by hand in Moneu (near Alba) and very small quantities are produced (as little as 50-100 bags per batch). The process is laborious and they discard a large percentage of the production that does not meet their standard. This is one of their most famous pastas (they also produce Porcini, polenta and other pastas) - made with 15-20% Barolo from one of Piedmont's most storied houses (you can use your imagination). A classic recipe uses onion and a dash of hot pepper to balance the wine flavor released by the pasta when cooked. See here for an adaptation: http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/database/barolopastawithredon_85804.shtml EXTREMELY LIMITED (no shipping) William DeCarlo White Torrone with Almond (185g) A classic holiday sweet produced by the DeCarlo family in Italy for nearly 200 years. Some would say this is the standard by which all other candies are compared. Just produced and air-freighted a week ago - for pick up only between Dec 22nd-31st (no shipping). William DeCarlo Truffled Almonds and Hazelnuts (160g) The nuts are coated with a thin candy coating, dipped in chocolate and then dusted with super-premium Italian cocoa. Fanny Farmer this isn't. Like the Torrone, just produced and air-freighted from Italy. For pick up only between Dec 22nd - 31st only (no shipping). Thank you, Jon Rimmerman Garagiste Seattle, WA Italy5951 Italy5952 FD9240 FD9250 FD9260