Bruce, I finally got notes together, so here’s my spin. They are written in the format I usually do for a large email list I have and not personalised. It was great to make your acquaintance and share a marvellous dinner.
A dinner in LA was created by a mutual friend to place 2 of us online wine geeks together for a first time face to face. We dined at La Bruschetta, a traditional Italian restaurant close to Westwood Village and enjoyed 3 great wines as well as good camaraderie.
Prior to leaving for the restaurant, my sweetie and I enjoyed some champagne in our hotel room that I`d bought for dinner, but was dissuaded in doing as 3 wines for 4 folks was considered plenty. We sipped away while watching a sunset over the South Bay of the LA basin and the Pacific:
2006 TAITTINGER COMTES de CHAMPAGNE BLANC de BLANC- I just had to go with this remarkable bubbly once again as it has shined so brightly over the past few years and there`s still many bottles in the cellar; I was surprised to discover this bottle deviated, at least for the first 30 minutes, from the expected and consistent notes of close to 20 bottles I’ve had in the last couple of years; after some floral wildflower aromas came an abundance of lemon honey notes in the nose and taste profile with some honeysuckle joining in as well; with time, a nutty component arrived along with Meyer lemon, peach, pear and more honeysuckle; missing was the typical toasty brioche flavor; it was very rich and creamy and at its apogee, reached a state of impeccable balance.
At the restaurant, 4 of us drank these gems:
2001 LUCIANO SANDRONE CANNUBI BOSCHIS BAROLO- the cork was pulled early in the day and the wine was decanted once first seated {didnt pack a decanter}; we had a good bottle with blueberry fruit in spades from the nose though the tail; it was young and vibrant and very approachable now but has such bright acidity and tannic structure to ensure a long and ever so pleasing lifespan; licorice, plum and blackberry came in late and all was delivered in a velvety textured substance adding to the overall sensory treat; this is very good now and promises to give many treasures upon maturity. ![fullsizeoutput_1f62.jpeg|2448x3264](upload://yR10KWsPe5bQRDCQSb6xXYmTJJb.jpeg) 1997 TENUTA dell
ORNELLAIA SUPERIORE BOLGHERI- 65% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc; the nose was so inviting with super attractive aromatics of leather and cedar laced dark fruit which on the palate translated into blackberry and black currant with a touch of eucalyptus; it had a so pleasing silky smooth mouthfeel confirming its soft tannins, was full bodied and improved over the course of the evening from its outrageous early on appeal to a place beyond stellar. This was brought with the idea of bridging the gap of a Barolo and First Growth and it worked perfectly; fabulous wine.
1986 CHATEAU MOUTON ROTHSCHILD PAUILLAC- 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot; keeping up the pace and perhaps taking it up another level, this beauty was ready to give and give it did with overwhelming gracious generosity; it had layered depth and complexity, was in perfect balance, had a silky smooth texture, wondrous texture, tasty dark fruit and a long sustained ending to call it a complete deal; more specifically, black currant, black cherry and blackberry was accented with subtle hints of leather and milk chocolate; it exuded youthfulness, class and elegance.
What a fine evening. Greeted at the door by a caring chef/ owner, served with professionalism by informed wait staff, feasting on homemade breads, pastas and sauces, drinking stellar wines and making new friends is what its all about.
Cheers,
Blake