Saturday afternoon I was in Scarsdale, and stopped by Zachys for some sale 2000 Bordeaux. While there, took advantage of a tasting of Neil Empson’s Piedmont portfolio. I actually was in a hurry, and tasted/spit pretty fast. Between that and the difficulties of tasting barrel samples of big wines, read with even more skepticism than normal.
2002 Einaudi “Vigna Tec” Dolcetto di Dogliani (16.99) Dark fruit, moderate tannins, clean tasting. B2001 Monti Barbera d’Alba (31.44) I’ve never heard of this producer, but a nice smooth (though nicely acidic) and spicy modern Barbera. B/B+ But $32?
2002 Conterno Fantino “Vignota” Barbera d’Alba (21.24) Earthy, but muted fruit.B/B-2001 Bongiovanni “Faletto” Rosso del Langhe (31.44) Oaksoup, a blend of nebbiolo and barbera. C+
2001 Conterno Fantino Monpra (42.49) Also oaky, but at least there’s some offsetting acidity and fruit. B/B-2001 Ca Rome Barbaresco (46.75) Nice lighter Barbaresco, clean and elegant. B+
2001 Ca Rome “Maria di Brun” Barbaresco (55.25) Bigger, more apparent oak, but good fruit and long finish. B+2000 Marcarini “Brunate” Barolo (46.75) Very good, ripe fruit, tobacco, and lots of tannins. B+/A-
2000 Marcarini “La Serra” Barolo (46.75) Surprisingly, this seems bigger than the Brunate (not what I expect). Big tannic wine, needs lots of time, but great fruit, violets, and tar underneath, seems very good. A-2000 Einaudi Barolo Nice balanced medium-bodied Barolo. B/B+
2000 Einaudi “Cannubi” Barolo More oaky/modern,.spicy, big. B+ 2000 Bongiovanni Pernanno Barolo (59.50) Modern at least as far as oak, but still has very hard tannins. B?2000 Rome “Rapet” Barolo Definitely modern, but really quite nice with ripe red fruit and flowery nose. B+/A-
2000 Conterno Fantino “Sori Ginestra” Barolo Closed, big. Not showing much.2000 Monti “Bussia” Barolo (93.50) Dense and monolithic. Modern but will probably age well. B+
2003 Marcarini Moscato d’Asti (10.19) Sweet and easy, just the thing to wash away the tannin buildup. BThe La Serra was the one I was tempted by. In general I've been able to get Marcarinis for less than $40. Will that happen with these? Between WS hype and exchange rate, maybe not. But I hold off and just get the Bdx I came for.
Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice Dale
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