Met with my SWAT group (our version of SOBER) for an Italian lunch and wine:
Ferriari Brut-Simple sparkler starter. A bit light but pleasing, citrus, buttered toast nice mousse. "B"
2007 Anas Cetta Bianco (Langhe) First time I;ve tasted this wine and very interesting and compelling. A bit Rhone-like with floral, honey and orange peel notes. Oily mouthfeel but very tasty and I kept coming back to it. "B+"
We had a forgettable Collio Pinot Grigio that I didn't write down. Pale and insipid at best.
1990 Lungarotti San Giorgio-Mostly Cabernet Sauvignon from Umbria (I think). Lot's of minerality in a medium bodied, high toned wine.
1990 vintage bottled in 2000 and there was enough oak to verify that but the acidity kept it balanced. "B-"
1961 Gaja Barberesco-DOA. Looked and tasted like tea with lemon. No fruit and not much else.
1997 Gaja Costa Russi Langhe-Plenty of black fruits, tar, anise, a floral note to the nose. Needs a few more years to really sing. Still a bit tough. "B+"
1997 Fuligni Brunello Riserva-Deep black cherry. Earthy, loamy, espresso and cocoa. Seamless "A"
2001 Fuligni Brunello Riserva-Blackberry and cherry. Spicy and mineral driven. Needs time still quite tannic. "B+"
2002 Tenuta dell' Ornellaia Masseto-Still very young. Plums and cassis with a bit of cedar and vanilla. A bit primary and disjointed. "B+"