WTN: Lots of Italians
Posted: Tue Sep 19, 2006 12:21 pmNotes from a dinner at Mezzaluna.
Virna Barolo 1996 – A little hot. Pruney with high-toned acidity. Only a little tannin left. Ready to drink. Good, if slightly unbalanced.
Ruffino Modus 2001 – Chocolatey nose. Very dry and a bit earthy but with plenty of ripe fruit. Long, slightly bitter finish. I would have really liked it if not for the finish.
Bolla Le Poiane Valpolicella 2001 – Slightly cooked. Faint chocolate and dried fruit. Very light, insubstantial wine. I didn’t like this at all.
Caroso Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2000 – Coffee and mushrooms mostly. Plenty of fruit. An uncomplicated but very enjoyable wine.
Vesevo Taurasi 1997 – Very dry and tannic. Ungenerous, tight and closed now. Hard to find the fruit in this. Maybe time will open it up but for now pass on this.
Aldo Conterno Barolo Bussia Soprana 1985 – The acidity in this makes it a bright wine. Fruity nose and mushrooms on the palate. Still tastes quite youthful. No tar or roses, though.
Antinori Solaia 2002 – Pure Cabernet Sauvignon, I’m told. A light but tannic wine. A little chocolate on the palate. Tastes older than it is. For me, nothing to get excited about.
Prunotto Costamiole Barbera d’Asti 1999 – This is the wine I brought. Medium bodied and plenty of fruit. Very ripe tasting. Balanced, rounded, complete. Probably at its peak now. Very good.
Planeta La Segreta 2002 – Our only dry white for the night. Soft and honeyed. Tastes mature. Drinking nicely now but no further improvement to be expected here.
Senorio de Sarria Moscatel NV – Orange nose. Faint lychee as well. Thick. Orange marmalade bitterness cuts through the sweetness so it isn’t cloying. Easy to drink and enjoyable.
Virna Barolo 1996 – A little hot. Pruney with high-toned acidity. Only a little tannin left. Ready to drink. Good, if slightly unbalanced.
Ruffino Modus 2001 – Chocolatey nose. Very dry and a bit earthy but with plenty of ripe fruit. Long, slightly bitter finish. I would have really liked it if not for the finish.
Bolla Le Poiane Valpolicella 2001 – Slightly cooked. Faint chocolate and dried fruit. Very light, insubstantial wine. I didn’t like this at all.
Caroso Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2000 – Coffee and mushrooms mostly. Plenty of fruit. An uncomplicated but very enjoyable wine.
Vesevo Taurasi 1997 – Very dry and tannic. Ungenerous, tight and closed now. Hard to find the fruit in this. Maybe time will open it up but for now pass on this.
Aldo Conterno Barolo Bussia Soprana 1985 – The acidity in this makes it a bright wine. Fruity nose and mushrooms on the palate. Still tastes quite youthful. No tar or roses, though.
Antinori Solaia 2002 – Pure Cabernet Sauvignon, I’m told. A light but tannic wine. A little chocolate on the palate. Tastes older than it is. For me, nothing to get excited about.
Prunotto Costamiole Barbera d’Asti 1999 – This is the wine I brought. Medium bodied and plenty of fruit. Very ripe tasting. Balanced, rounded, complete. Probably at its peak now. Very good.
Planeta La Segreta 2002 – Our only dry white for the night. Soft and honeyed. Tastes mature. Drinking nicely now but no further improvement to be expected here.
Senorio de Sarria Moscatel NV – Orange nose. Faint lychee as well. Thick. Orange marmalade bitterness cuts through the sweetness so it isn’t cloying. Easy to drink and enjoyable.