New Year's Eve

[Peter Creasey]

Started with caviar.

Then, I wanted a wine with some heft and depth of flavors. Serca Gran Corte '15 -- dark red, tight aromatics with dark fruits, some tobacco, moderately full, dense depth, good acidity buffered by ample fruits, could be more integrated, moderate length. [VG - E]

I would rarely look to a wine with Malbec, but this one served the purposes well.

Single vineyard Malbec/Cab Franc/Merlot as expected measured up nicely with duck confit and wild rice/roasted squash/arugula salad, then chocolate chip cookies and chocolate cookies.

. . . . . Pete

 

[Oswaldo Costa]

This wine is most likely acidified, which could explain the "could be more integrated" part.

 

[mark e]

originally posted by Oswaldo Costa:
This wine is most likely acidified, which could explain the "could be more integrated" part.

Possibly all the new oak isn't integrated either?

 

[Florida Jim]

N/V Tarlant, Brut Zero - superb but showing young

2020 Louis Michel, Chablis Butteaux - despite a slight asparagus note, still fine accompaniment to gingered bok choy with sambal

2020 Vissoux, Fleurie Garants - too ripe and 14.5 abv which muddies up the nose and is ponderous in the mouth. The 2020 Poncie version of this from this producer is much livelier and a point lower in alcohol.

2022 was good to me.
I look forward to ‘23.
Best, Jim

 

[Larry Stein]

Sandi's stomach was giving her the yips so she abstained from alcohol. We'll save that bottle of Champagne for another time. With pasta and pizza, I opened 2005 Ridge Ponzo Vnyd Zin. It was right on the money. Ponzo typically exhibits a brighter tone than other Zins they make from Sonoma. Perhaps because it's the only Zin they make from the Russian River Valley? It only started to tire after 3+ hours.

 

[Rahsaan]

Like Pete, we started with caviar and for us the accompaniment was 2008 Pierre Moncuit Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut, which was a wonderful way to end any afternoon!

With dinner the 2016 Fontodi Chianti Classico was nicely balanced and good with food, but it was tough next to the 2015 Col D'Orcia Brunello Vigna Nastagio, which was so showy and so delicious.

Later there was a somewhat disappointing bottle of 2019 Domaine des Croix Beaune Les Cents Vignes. It had plenty of fruit and was easy to drink, which was appropriate for the lateness and the occasion. But it didn't show the nuances and precision that a recent bottle did. Perhaps the occasion was not ideal for finding those nuances!

Like Jim, 2022 was pretty good to us, and hoping for more from 2023!

 

[Jeff Grossman]

originally posted by Peter Creasey:
...as expected measured up nicely with duck confit and wild rice/roasted squash/arugula salad...

Indeed, flattering food for almost any red wine.

 

[Ken Schramm]

originally posted by Rahsaan:
With dinner the 2016 Fontodi Chianti Classico was nicely balanced and good with food, but it was tough next to the 2015 Col D'Orcia Brunello Vigna Nastagio, which was so showy and so delicious.

Great to read this, Rahsaan. Been sitting on a host of 15's and 16's from Tuscany, including a bunch of Fontodi, and some other Brunellos. I have been reluctant to commit infanticide (or to endure Tanninfest '23), but this is encouraging. Maybe I'll let the Fontodi sleep a while longer.

Over the last few days we did an '05 Destieux which was buxom and classic and did not change my world, and a '10 La Spia MR72 Sassella Valtellina Superiore that started out a bit testy but rounded into form really well over the course of an hour or so. Opened as bright, zesty Lombardy Nebbiolo and then kept adding the tenor and baritone notes throughout the evening.

 

[Rahsaan]

originally posted by Ken Schramm:


Great to read this, Rahsaan. Been sitting on a host of 15's and 16's from Tuscany, including a bunch of Fontodi, and some other Brunellos. I have been reluctant to commit infanticide (or to endure Tanninfest '23), but this is encouraging. Maybe I'll let the Fontodi sleep a while longer.

Sounds good, although I'm hardly an expert in tracking Tuscan wines, so there is the proverbial grain of salt.

Should also note that both wines got a lot of air. They were contributions from my friend who said that when he first opened and tasted, the Fontodi was showing better. But, by the time dinner rolled around (4-5 hours later), everyone preferred the Brunello. Showier and all.