With the cooler weather it was time for some Nebbiolo!

PIEDMONT DINNER WITH WINES - home (10/20/2007)

The weather is starting to cool off so we started thinking about some Nebbiolo and Piemonte food.

Appetizers before Dinner

Shrimp Satay; Antipasto Platter; Cheeses & Olives

• N.V. Margaine Champagne Brut 1er Cru - France, Champagne
  Very light gold in color; This champagne was very fresh with green apple fruit and a slight mineral note. It was fairly acidic but in a balanced way that matches well with foods. We have this champagne in the "house champagne rotation". (88 pts.)


• 2004 Joh. Jos. Christoffel Erben Erdener Treppchen Riesling Spätlese - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer, Mosel
  Needed just a touch more acid to balance it out but a nice opening wine. A great match with the Thai appetizers. (87 pts.)

Primi

Meat filled Ravioli in Thyme Butter Sauce

• 2001 Sottimano Barbaresco Pajore - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco
  Very dark in color, almost purple in color. My notes similar to the previous bottle - this wine is still packed with dark fruit. There was an interesting earthy note in this bottle. Great balance. As Steffen says, very, very good still young Barbaresco. (92 pts.)

Main Course

Beef in Barolo; Grilled Vegetables with Fontina Sauce

The Argiano (Tuscany) was opened at the end when we wanted more wine.

• 1964 Giacomo Borgogno & Figli Barolo Riserva - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
  Cloudy orange in color; A pristine bottle of this wine - a library release not re-bottled. There was still some fruit but it had more truffle and earth notes. [Gently decanted one hour with good results] (92 pts.)


• 1995 Luciano Sandrone Barolo Cannubi Boschis - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
  Lovely Barolo definitely in its groove. See previous notes. Very good Barolo that is probably still improving. Superb balance as others note. [Decanted one hour with good results] (92 pts.)


• 2001 Argiano Solengo Toscana IGT - Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT
  See other notes for specifics. Although this bottle was good the cork was very soaked so again there may have been heat damage. Popped and poured when we wanted to open another bottle. (92 pts.)

Gianduja Mousse; Italian Cheeses

• N.V. Egly-Ouriet Champagne Extra Brut Vieillissment Prolongé Grand Cru - France, Champagne
  A very, very good champagne. Even more so considering we attacked this 2 days after it was shipped. Very dry and lovely, it could shame a lot of vintage champagnes. (92 pts.)

Thanks to our guests for spending their Saturday evening with us.

Posted from CellarTracker

• 2004 Joh. Jos. Christoffel Erben Erdener Treppchen Riesling Spätlese - Germany, Mosel Saar Ruwer, Mosel
  Good match with the shrimp satay skewers and Thai influenced tomato salad I brought. Rather sweet and nicely balanced acidity that absorbed the gentle heat of the bird's eye chilis very well. Good buy directly from the winery.

• 2001 Sottimano Barbaresco Pajore - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco
  First wine of the evening and a winner right out of the gates. I love the primary flavors of rose, tar, and plum...loads of tobacco and some other dark fruit goodness. This is a really solid wine whose character is that much more interesting due to low oak influence. Very, very good young bottle of Barbaresco.
• 1995 Luciano Sandrone Barolo Cannubi Boschis - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
  What a treat. 'Perfect balance' describes this well. Loads of tar and dark fruit on the palate and the color is equally dark and impenetrable. Despite the dark color and fruit flavors, this is surprisingly accessible and fun to drink. A real treat and I imagine this will hold for at least 10-20 more years.
• 1964 Giacomo Borgogno & Figli Barolo Riserva - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
  Very nice. Cloudy orange, rusty red with nose of orange rind, truffles, and earth. Showed nice red fruit and leather. Solid wine for being over 40 years old. In perfect drinking window right now.
• N.V. Egly-Ouriet Champagne Extra Brut Vieillissment Prolongé Grand Cru - France, Champagne
  Awesome. Consumed with dessert (hazelnut chocolate mousse) and it was a great match. Super-dry champagne that is very yeasty in my opinion for this stage. Seems like it'll hold for a very long time. Seemed less open and forgiving than the last time I had it...Very solid.