Sunday 19 November 2017

Lunches & Dinners In Piedmont - Part One

You just don´t drink the greatest wines in this world when you are in Nebbiolo land, you eat the greatest too. My love for Carne Cruda, Tajarin, Plin, Coniglio etc is endless.

Tuesday - La Coccinella
Aaah, back for the fourth time this year, at our favourite restaurant. And the Barolo Boys had great company this evening - Maria Teresa Mascarello.
You can check out the meny and wine list here - La Coccinella

NV Brut, Aubry
A fine, smoky nose with notes of dried apricots, freshly washed clothes, some floral scents and gravelly. Deep and interesting.
Apparently it is a blend of 60% Pinot Meunier, 20% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay. Very, very good.
The taste is cool, fresh and lively with notes of wet rocks, cucumber, lime and a passion fruit. A very fine acidity. Long and yummy. This I like!
91p   (tasted 2017/10)




2015 Derthona, Walter Massa
Only the second time ever I drink a wine made from Timorasso. And the second time that I´m not impressed. The nose is nutty and oily with notes of soap, warm rocks and dark flowers.
The taste is a tad heavy with a low acidity and lots of dried flowers, apricots and hand cream. A Viognier style of wine, and that is not a plus in my book.
84p   (tasted 2017/10)

2001 Barolo Pie Rupestris, Cappellano
A very handsome, refined nose with notes of cool red cherries, rosehips, violets, paint and mushrooms. A high, pure nose. Just lovely.
The taste is luscious and velvety with notes of hard cherry candy, rose petals, ripe lingonberries and a hint of raspberry licorice. Very long, refined and gorgeous. Both 01 Cappellano bottles performed on a very high level on this night but there and then I preferred the Rupestris over the Franco. My fellow Barolo Boys had the Franco as the finest. Both stunning wines.
Since the late Theobaldo didn´t want his wines to be scored, I never do   (tasted 2017/10)




2001 Barolo Pie Franco, Cappellano
The Pie Franco is deeper and darker than the Rupestris with notes of ripe strawberries, herbs, a hint of black olives and some balsamic notes, Very deep and fine.
The taste is tight and focused with notes of tapenade, asphalt, ripe rd and black cherries and undergrowth. Very, very long with sandy tannins. Will need more time than the Rupestris, say 8+ years more.
Since the late Theobaldo didn´t want his wines to be scored, I never do   (tasted 2017/10)

1989 Barolo, Bartolo Mascarello
Maria Terese brought this bottle to the dinner. I have never tasted the 89 from Bartolo Mascarello, so it was indeed a special treat. And the wine? This is what dreams are made of, at least mine...
The nose is deep, complex, perfectly mature with stunning notes of decaying leaves, truffles, dried cherries, coffee grounds, a hint of figs and a high spirited scent of the land of Langhe. Truly fine.
The taste is pure, velvety and concentrated with notes of violets, dried cherries and flowers, a hint of tobacco, some dog fur for complexity and masses of autumn leaves. The finish goes on for over a minute, ending perfectly dry. A great wine in great company. Thanks Maria Teresa!
97p   (tasted 2017/10)



Two happy Barolo Boys with Maria Teresa and a fantastic bottle of Barolo  (photo: MK)

Wednesday - Centro Storico
Lunch at Centro Storico! How many times have we done that? Who counts. Always a treat, sliding in, saying hello to Ciccio and order some hearthy food and some wine.

2006 Aubry de Humbert, Aubry
Since the Aubry impressed us the night before we thought we should try their vintage, made out of equal parts of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier. Note to self - buy Aubry! This is goood!
The nose flows up from the glass with intriguing aromas of ripe oranges, cap gun smoke, lemon curd and a hint of Islay whiskey. Very deep and fine.
The taste is rich and refined with notes of orange peel, smoke, dried up honey, chalk and dried flowers. Long, complex and a with a very fine dryness. Great wine.
94p   (tasted 2017/11)




2016 Langhe Nebbiolo, Burlotto
Light on its feet with fine, floral aromas and lovely cherry fruit. Very, very good. Some additional notes of licorice and undergrowth.
The taste is silky and rewarding with notes of red cherries, licorice, chrushed rocks and violets. Sandy tannins. Really good. Better than the 2015.
89p   (tasted 2017/11)

Wednesday - Osteria Veglio
Osteria Veglio is a really fine restaurant with classic Piedmont food with great flavors. The calf trippa (stomach) I had, see below, was splendid.

We were looking forward to taste the new Jacquesson 740 but it was sold out for the moment so we took the really fine 739 instead.

2013 Barolo Rocche di Gastiglione, Brovia
The 13 Rocche from Brovia performed on the same high level as in May when we tasted it with Alex. Maybe it starting to shut down a bit, the tannins was present a bit more. But what a wine!
96p   (tasted 2017/11)


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