SAN BIAGIO WINE DINNER - Mirabelle Restaurant, Austin, Texas (8/30/2007)

This dinner was set up to highlight the wines of San Biagio, a smaller Piedmont winery that rarely imports to the United States. It is always a treat to be able to taste through an entire portfolio of Piedmont wines.

First course

Three Bruschettas: Plum Tomato & Vidalia Onions with Assagio Cheese Tuna & Black Olive Cannillini Beans, Sun-Dried Tomatoes & Basil with Ricotta Saleta

• 2005 San Biagio Dolcetto d'Alba - Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Dolcetto d'Alba
  Fresh, fruity cherry and spice aromas and flavors. Balanced but simple. ~$16 (85 pts.)


• 2004 San Biagio Langhe Nebbiolo - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC
  Clear dark garnet color; Medium floral aromas and raspberry flavors in a reasonably balanced wine. Not complex. Overpriced at ~$29. (85 pts.)

Second Course

Crisp Paupitte of Sea Bass in a Barolo Sauce - this sounds weird but was very good. I'm not sure I've ever had fish with Barolo but the combination worked.

• 2001 San Biagio Barolo - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
  Slightly dull ruby in color; This wine had an interesting nose of florals and cedar; The flavors included cedar, smoke and anise. A medium-weight Barolo with significant tannins and a drying finish. Potential for improvement. ~$46 (87 pts.)


• 2001 San Biagio Barolo Riserva Sori del Rovere - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
  Dark, clear ruby red color; Cedar and floral aromas with smoke, spice and raspberry fruit. Medium-heavy weight Barolo. Complex, balanced and still very young. Some potential for improvement. ~$54 (88 pts.)

Third Course

Grilled Rib Eye with Potato and Bacon "Cake" with Red Wine Butter and Sautéed Zucchini

• 2003 San Biagio Langhe Cabernet Sauvignon Janin - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC
  This wine was a pretty good reason why Cabernet probably shouldn't be made in Piedmont. Very oaky with a huge green streak like a peeled twig. ~$35 (clearly would never buy this) (70 pts.)

Dessert

Fig Spice Cake with Ginger Ice Cream

• 2005 Antolini Recioto della Valpolicella - Italy, Veneto, Valpolicella, Recioto della Valpolicella
  The importers description was "Amarone on Steroids". This is a pretty good descriptor. Intense raisin fruit flavors in a fairly sweet wine that is generally served with desserts, especially chocolate. (86 pts.)

The food is always quite good at Mirabelle. My only nit was that it may have been difficult to do an all-Piedmont menu as some Tuscan-area food was in the menu. The 2001 Barolo Riserva Sori del Rovere was good and potentially worth buying out of this portfolio.

Posted from CellarTracker