TN: Pierre Moncuit, Pinson Chablis, Moccagatta, Valoria Rioja, Vall Llach Priorat

On Sunday evening, the party continued at Gialina in San Francisco’s Glen Park neighborhood. We (Traci, Andy and me) met up with Tina and Glenn and Ed Kurtzman and Michelle for another evening of wine and pizza. Gialina gets my vote for best pizza crust in the city and best overall pizza. I love it. 7 of us consumed a trio of excellent salads (peach w goat cheese, heirloom tomato, and beet), some terrific meatballs, 7 pizzas and a dessert pizza. Oh and we had a little wine.

N.V. Pierre Moncuit Champagne Brut Grand Cru (France, Champagne, Le Mesnil Sur Oger, Champagne)
After having 88 Veuve and 90 Krug the night before, I expected this to be completely outclassed, and while it doesn’t hit the highs of the other two, at $35+ it’s a pretty good value Champagne. Light, crisp, moussy with pear and apple and limestone. Short to medium short finish, nice weight. A good match for the salads. 88-89/100

2008 Château Lalande Meric Blanc (France, Bordeaux, Bordeaux Contrôlée)
Never heard of this wine or had it before. It was perhaps served a little too warm but nonetheless it was a good drink. Slightly piney/resiny with grapefruit, herbs and lemon. Shortish finish. Some liked it more than me but the herbal/piney note was a turn off. 84-85/100

2007 Domaine Pinson Chablis Freres (France, Burgundy, Chablis)
Initially this started with a sulfury/gun flint nose but with a little air and swirling began to open up. Nice citrus (lemon/lime versus orange/grapefruit), minerals, lemon cream and a little pear and a nice smokiness. Some limestone as well. Its a terrific crisp entry Chablis…88-89/100

2003 Moccagatta Barbaresco Vigneto Cole (Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco)
2003 is a much maligned vintage for barolo and barbaresco and for good reason but good wines can be found and this was terrific. Yeah, it could use a little more acidity for longer term aging but for drinking right now this is in a good place. Violets, spice, anise and chocolate on the nose and palate. Add in a little red fruit on the palate as well in a rich, lush and deeply textured package. Some purists won’t like the plushness and richness of fruit, but last night it worked and worked well. 92-93/100
1968 Viña Valoria Rioja (Spain, La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja)
This wine was a shocking revelation. The were virtually no signs of age in this wine. deep purple at the core, the palate is richly fruit and almost lush and seemingly more like a 5 year old wine than a 41 year old (or nearly 41). Chocolate, red fruits (cherry, cranberry), a little hint of earth, spice and asphalt. Still amazed at the youthfulness of the wine, the pristine condition of the label…91-92/100

2000 Celler Vall Llach Priorat Vall Llach (Spain, Catalunya, Priorat)
We actually cracked this one at home to make sure it wasn’t corked. Consumed about 3 hours later. I wish I had more of this. Plum fruits, graphite/pencil lead, minerals, long chewy finish. It is packed but impeccably balanced. Wow. 95-96/100