Italian wines - Tre Bicchieri, Los Angeles March 2nd, 2009

WINE TALK
1

What could have gone wrong pretty much did with this event. Many of you have seen various threads about Tre Bicchieri, but in the end, it ended up to be a fantastic event.

I have come to the determination that I LOVE BAROLO! The nose on these wines is just spectacular - I could sit and sniff at them all day long, and hope I can find some that are reasonably priced so that I can!

Some of the standouts for me, in order of how they appeared in the program booklet:

Bucci Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Villa Bucci Riserva 2006
Provenza Lugana Superire Selezione Fabio Contato 2007
Elio Grasso Barolo Ginestra V. Casa Mate 2004 (possibly my favorite Barolo, other than Giacosa)
Ferrari Trento Giulio Ferrari Riserva del Fondatore Brut 1999 (incredible - possibly the star of the show for most who attended, pourers included. I heard several of them asking for glasses of it)
Secco Bertani Ripasso 2005
Vietti Barolo Lazzarito 2004
Ca’ del Bosco Franciacorta Cuvee Annamaria Clementi 2001 (very unique sparkler)
Monfalletto - Cordero di Montezemolo Barolo Enrico VI 2004 (another of my favorite Barolos, with a gorgeous sweet floral nose)
Tasca d’Almerita Contea di Sclafani Rosso del Conte 2005
Ca’ Rugate Soave Classico Monte Fiorentine 2007

Emilio Pepe poured their '75, '79, & '95 Montepulcianos since they had no wine there, then when they arrived, they poured the '98, chilled as can be. I preferred the '95 most of all, then the '98, once the poop smell blew off…it was quite a treat to drink the older vintages, so thanks, Roberto, for bringing them by!!!

Giacosa was one of the highlights as well, when the wine was trucked in. They poured Falletto Barolo and Asili Barbaresco Resverva, both 2004, and both spectacular, even with the wine at 50-some degrees. I can’t imagine how wonderful they are at near-room temperature, or even further, after 10 or so years…

Side note - the cheese that was served was Grana Padano Riserva, and it was insanely wonderful. If you find it, get some.

2

I’m just a tiny bit jealous.
I don’t think there is anything better than the nose of a mature Barolo. Looking forward to trying another Giacosa this weekend.

3

Dear Importer,

This email is to let you know of a time change in the event. Due to
weather delays, the delivery truck was not able to keep its schedule
for the delivery of the wine for the event in Los Angeles. We hope
to have the wines at the hotel by 5 pm and the event will begin at
6. Please tell those you have invited of this time change. If you
have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you for
your understanding with this matter.

Best,
Gambero Rosso
Tre Bicchieri 2009

[rofl.gif] HA HA!

4

Sarah - what were those two whites I really enjoyed at your pouring table? One was the 5% ABV Prosecco, the other was the higher end white of the three you poured…

5

I have not had the experience with many mature Barolo wines, but I can say that I’m loving the '04 Barolo noses a whole lot…the fresh, sweet floral aspect is just insane.

6

Glad you enjoyed them:

2007 Alois Lageder Pinot Bianco “Haberle” single vineyard
2008 Saracco Moscato d’Asti

7

Yes, that’s it! Haberle was really fantastic - probably (outside of the sparklers) one of the two best whites I had there. Retail seems to be in the $20 range, too, which, if I COULD get it locally, would make it a sure buy for me.

8

They are hard to drink young I have found. Looks like we may get a mature one Saturday? Maybe I’ll bring a Barbaresco then. I have some on the cusp of maturity.

9

Better check with Otto…too many old wines might mean that the sink gets some extra action!!

10

In that case he might get familiar with another part of the plumbing.

11

Has anyone ever attended this event wearing donkey ears? [tease.gif] If someone did, would anyone “get it”?

12

I’m pretty sore about this whole fiasco. After Wally’s called me up and cancelled the event, to learn that the tasting went ahead really burns me. I’m a huge fan of Italian wine (especially those from Piedmont), so this was one tasting that I was really looking forward to.

13

Technically, it was ‘trade only’ when they reopened it, although I don’t think they checked all that closely.

14

The '04s are the real deal. Amazing line up. All the usual suspects were there. Tops were the Giacosa Falletto Barolo, Asili Barbaresco Resverva all '04s. A $70 (retail) Nero d’Avola that was mind blowing good, Tasca D’Almerita Rosso Del Conte. Easily the greatest Nd’A I’ve had, and I’ve tried a few. Curto use to hold that position. Too many to remember, but absolutely worth it. But the show stoppers were '75, '79, '95 & '98 Emilio Pepe Montepulcianos. Thank you Robert & Ali for making the wait bearable. STUNNING JUICE!!! There was Tete de Cuvee that was I believe 100% Chardonnay but my notes are not with me. Todd you remember? Also a very good Prosecco which was next to Cartizze. I will update the post later with names. And a special shout out to Sarah for delivering those special glasses-I really liked the Amarone-and tolerating the testosterone.

The offline was fun. The GruVe was the '07 Dom. Wachau Smaragd Terrassen. Loved it for it’s minerality and purity. The BdMs were nice albiet young. Leopoldi Rosso Conero is a pleaser and a personal favorite. Thanks to all for meeting up with me and Frenchy.

15

Hilarious! Here is a picture of my friend Francesco Soletta who HAD wine because HE is the importer (his brother made their Tre Bicchieri winning Cannonau and he also reps a 3B winning Abruzzese cantina) posing with all the wineless tables behind him…

16

My table was to his right

17

I remember this guy - really short, right? Slicked back hair?

18

Yes, and his Sardo accent is so strong it doesn’t matter if you speak Italian or English to him, you still aren’t sure what is going on. GREAT guy, one of my oldest friends in the biz. Here is a pic with Francesco, his brother Umberto and his sister Pina:


19

That should narrow it down! Wasn’t this an Italian tasting? [rofl.gif]

20

Tenute Soletta rocks! I could drink their whole line, from the Vermentino to the Cannonaus. Nice rosato, too, by the way. I met a couple of the family at a wine dinner last year in Long Beach. Nice folks.