by Dale Williams » Thu Dec 06, 2018 12:31 pm
Ben and Wendy hosted our Bordeaux group for our almost annual white truffle dinner, with a Piedmont wine theme. A great night in their lovely apartment in Greenwich Village.
2011 Pierre Peters Les Chetillions
Yeasty, brisk,pears, needs a little time for me, but good B+
2009 Larmandier-Bernier Les Chemins d'Avize
Rounder, quite full, but with good crispness. Nice contrast to the Peters. B+
1993 Trimbach Clos St. Hune
In a lovely place, petrol and lemon, quite long, good 3 hours in. A-
Poached egg with shaved truffle
1947 Borgogno Barolo Riserva (red cap)
Soft, fragrant, pliant. Gentle older red but still good red fruit, some rose petal to indicate it’s Piedmontiness. B+/A-
1964 Borgogno Barolo Riserva (red cap)
Tar and leather over red fruit, equally enjoyable to me, but more classically Barolo. B+/A-
Tajarin (36 yolks to 1.3 kilos flour) with truffle
1962 Filippo Sobrero Barolo
Pretty tired, but some nice smoke and leather notes. B-
1962 Cappellano Barbaresco
Don’t think I’ve ever seen a Cappellano Barbaresco before. Fragrant, some sweet brown sugar notes showing the age, but acid structure and solid raspberry fruit, great showing for an unheralded vintage. B+
1998 Pertinace Castellizzano Barbaresco,
Young, herby, red cherry with some tar. B
Ben’s braised short ribs with wine sauce over polenta
1996 Giacosa Barbaresco
Structured, red cherry and cedar, good, B
1998 Giacosa Santo Stefano Barbaresco Riserva
Young but stunning. Brilliant red fruit, some light notes of herbs/anise and tar, excellent length. A-
1999 Giacosa Falletto Barolo
Red and black cherries, orange zest, floral. Lots of tannic structure. B+.
1996 A. Conterno Granbussia Barolo Riserva
Tar, mushrooms and vanilla, robust and tannic, hopefully oak will integrate, B/B+ for now
2001 Scavino Bric del Fiasc Barolo
Concentrated kirschy fruit, oak, not really my style. B-/C+
2001 Massolino Vigna Rionda Barolo Riserva
Well balanced, young, structured. B+
Homemade vanilla ice cream with truffles
1993 Monsanto Vin Santo La Chimera
I thought this thick and advanced, others liked more B-/C+
Great night with great people. Ben and Wendy did outstanding job on the food, and Suzanne was a great truffle rustler who overcame a supplier fail. Thanks all
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C drinkable. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice.Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.