Can you remember walking into that small neighborhood Italian restaurant....the Aria from Madama Butterfly coming through the loudspeakers, red and white checkered plastic tablecloths....sawdust on the floor...a hot pizza steaming on the table....and a bulbous bottle in a straw basked filled with "Chianti"...and when the bottle was empty...it became a candle holder......this is what Chianti USED to be! But our latest Wine Night and gracious hosts Paul and Ellen....who designated this Chianti night...proved that this was no longer your straw basket $2.00 Chianti!
Before starting with 'the main event' we were served an enticing Vigna del Vulcano Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio 2008 Bianco ... an Italian white...the grapes grown on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius. Closing your eyes, you could whiff and discern the earthiness of 2000 year old ash and lava....layered in with the aroma and flavor of peach and lemon, with a hint of floral aromas.......talking, sipping and enjoying the assorted appetizers....we then moved onto the Chianti tasting....
...3 bottles, all brown bagged, blind tasted, analyzed, scrutinized, smelled, sipped, savored, swallowed and finally rated.....ALL Chianti's....all incredible! Finally....after drinking and eating..it was time to see WHAT we had consumed.........
1). 2007...Castello di Brolio, Gaiole in Chianti. Full bodied, fruity, layered, a nice finish. Sippable with or without food....or as (Mike hates to describe a wine)...simply YUMMY!
2). 2006...Villa Cafaggio, Panzano in Chianti. Definitely food friendly..smooth..., somewhat earthy...more subtle.....and
3). 2006...Vigna del Sorbo Fontody, Panzano in Chianti. Hmmmmm....interesting....
as we blind tasted we all had the same thought and said: Wines #2 and #3 seem very similar! Are they the same?? Could it be two of us picked the same wine? Well...as you can see.....we were close...same vintage...same area! And very distinctive from the 2007. In fact...Paul said: These two are the SAME vintage! WHAT a pallet our Mr. Paul has!
After an evening of eating, sipping, comparing, analyzing, re-tasting side by side.....we scored and rated....and TONIGHT'S WINNER! AT LONG LAST! MIKE! With his 2007 Castello di Brolio! CONGRATULATIONS MIKE!!!!!
but then....to finish the evening with a perfect sip....Paul broke out a 2002 Deinhard Beeren Ausslese Rheinhessen. A just sweet enough dessert wine to go with the fabulous creme brulee made by Pamela and Mike!
Needless to say...yet ANOTHER GREAT WINE NIGHT! Friends, food, wine......and now....onto the next in another month or so...
But meanwhile: UPCOMING! A trip to PASO ! with appointments and tastings lined up.....and all those wines should be quite: YUMMY! And of course, my comments next week.
As always...feel free to share these comments, comment yourself...email me directly....and enjoy a good glass of wine.
Cheers,
Don
P.S. AND....if you just happen to be pasoing near Paso this Saturday (November 12th), and come by the Epoch Tasting room.....you might just see me pouring......and sipping---come by and say
"HI."
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