Took Betsy to airport Mon, no wine Mon or Tues. Wednesday a nice group gathered on my patio for Champagne and Piedmont. Perfect early September weather. I had out smoked mussels and shrimp, speck, prosciutto, pate, and several cheeses
NV Gosset Excellence Brut
We think at least 15 years old based on label. Still a lot of dosage showing., nice creamy texture, pears and honey. B+/B
Gaston Chiquet Cuvée de Reserve(2004 disg , likely 95/96 blend)
Some really loved this, I preferred the Blanc de Blancs. Honied, apple cider, a bit brassy., B-
Gaston Chiquet Blanc de Blancs (2001 dg, likely 1997 base)
Bright and lively, lemon and pear, an almondy note only think showing its age, tangy. B+
About here the Popeyes fried chicken made its presence known (regiular and spicy)
2021 Vincent Bernard "Assemblage",
This is the old Ledru vineyards. Crisp, chalky, bright with good persistence., B+/A-
Cedric Bouchard (Roses de Jeanne) VV/R23 Blanc de Noirs
Pear and Rainier cherry, toasty, good length. A nice wine but don’t see as a buy at current pricing. B/B+
2024 La Mesma Indi Cortese
Floral, citric (grapfruit), quince, broad but with good acids B
2020 Roagna Langhe Nebbiolo
I wanted to like this, but it’s quite ripe and sweet.Speculation was they stopped fermentation to keep alcohol down. Koolaid Nebbiolo. C+/B-
2016 Ulysse Collin Les Pierrieres Blanc de Blancs
I liked this a lot, though some felt the barrel aged profile showed butter. I found big but balanced, with nice minerality. Very long. A-
2008 Cappellano Pie Rupestris Barolo
Replacement for a flawed 2006 B Mascarello. Very young, but drinking well. Crisp and crunchy, Perfumed & spicy with dark berries and incipient tar. A-/B+
2007 Brovia Ca Mia Barolo
Ripe but for me not over the top. Cherry and red plum, coffee and earth. Makes me hopeful for my mags of 07 Brovia Villero. B+
2006 G Masccarello Monprivato Barolo
Oh so young but tasty., Structured, with black cherry and floral rose notes, earth and dried leaves. B+/A-
1995 Rocche dei Manzoni Barolo
Corked, dammit.
1985 Rocche dei Manzoni Vigna Big Barolo Riserva
Red fruits, minty herbs, a little oak note., Good not great, B/B+
Porterhouse, caprese, honeynut squash, broccoli with colatura d’alici
1989 Marcarini “Brunate” Barolo
This is a bit shut down now. All tannic structure, with some black cherry and cocoa peeking out from underneath. B for drinking now but will be outstanding I think.
1989 Produttori dei Barbaresco Ovello Riserva
This one is outstanding now! My red WOTN. Elegant, balanced, long, with great texture. Red and black cherries, tar, and dried roses. In a great place. A-
1998 William Deutz Amour de Deutz Blanc de Blancs
Cruising along nicely, brioche and pears with some light almond notes. Elegant mousse, nice persistent finish. B+/A-
1964 Ferrando Carema (white label)
Controversial wine. I thought it was corked,though there wasn’t clear cardboard, rather a dank mustiness. Kim thought just “old Carema” but I’ve not gotten that before. In any case I didn’t find it very pleasant. C+ if sound
1961 Ratti“Abbazia Annunziata” Barolo
Not fun, Sercial meets Nebbiolo, maderized. C-
1961 Bersano Barbaresco Riserva Speciale
Hint of VA, sharp red fruit, lots of orange peel, tertiary notes of balsam and forest floor. A bit tired, but hanging on. B
Great weather, great people, some great wines (and some others), great night.
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 the only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.