Last night Traci and I met Jason Brandt Lewis and his wife Lynn for dinner at Oliveto Restaurant. Last night was their “Whole Hog” Night with a menu dedicated to all things pig, from tail to snout. We ate very well - dishes posted on Food Forum. As usual, we had a terrific time discussing everything from horses to wine to travel around the country…Here are the wines.
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2007 Bruno Giacosa Roero Arneis - Italy, Piedmont, Alba, Roero DOC
This was terrific and accompanied the antipasti. It’s lean and rich, racy with white flowers, citrus, some pear and a nice dose of clean wet crushed rocks coming through. Superb and will get better with a little air. (90 pts.) -
1996 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Montestefano - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco
This wine accompanied the pasta courses and even though it was decanted it is a baby…tight. Crushed red cherries, a hint of anise, lots of acid but not so much the acid will outlive the fruit…just didn’t seem to pop open last night…wait another 3-5 years on this if you have it - if this bottle was representative. 91+ (91 pts.) -
2000 Podere Rocche dei Manzoni Langhe Bricco Manzoni - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC
This accompanied the main courses. Much more open and fleshier than the Produttori. Red cherries, a little hint of chocolate/cocoa, fuller mouth feel with seemingly less acid than the Produttori. Really nice but a touch less complex overall than the Produttori…yummy though! (90 pts.)