Here we were, gathered for a grand dinner, and lots of wines,
great and friendly being opened and shared.
Not to out-do everyone else, but to share the love. Our group had travelled the world,
individually and together, and the wines brought to dinner were remembrances of
the good times they had.
It was a case of Italiano Classico when two reds from great
Italian winegrowing regions appeared on the table together. Firstly a 2011 Castelgiocondo Brunello di Montalcino. This from the great Tuscan house of
Frescobaldi. The classiest expression of
Sangiovese for most, and the ‘Riserva’ bottlings best regarded, as the wine
worthy of extended maturation. This
bottle wasn’t, but some bottle age had seen it develop lovely complexities to
the savoury bitter cherry and dark-red berry fruits. Lovely dried and dark herbs and a bit of
earth, a touch of game, But all the
while with fruit sweetness. All backed
by decent and serious structure.
Delicious and we thought hard to beat, at least so far.
Then the 1998 Gaja
Barbaresco. Legendary stuff because
of the legendary Piedmonte producer.
Sure his single vineyard bottlings are his best, but the ‘regular’
Barbaresco has it all – given some time.
Nebbiolo causes wonder and consternation among wine lovers, especially
those keen on Pinot Noir. Sure, there
are similarities, but in reality, for me, Nebbiolo is in a different
league. It has more solid fruit
expression, it being much more deep in constituency. Then there’s the more elevated acidity. But it’s the tannin structure in the best
wines that takes it up another level.
And it is proven to develop wonderful complexity and layers of
flavour. This bottle retaining its
succulence but also with awe-inspiring game and funkiness. Borderline stuff for the technocrats, but
other-worldly for those who love a touch (or more) of corruption.
A treat to try these, and in fact drink them. It made a classic great night.
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