TNs: 2005 Altesino Brunello, 1999 Vignamaggio CCR "Monna Lisa".

WINE TALK
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Ciao Berzerkers,

Last Sunday I cruised up to Fishtown in Philly and hooked up with my homeslice larry99. We zipped down to the Italian Market where chef99 scored a 4 inch thick Porterhouse, custom cut on the bandsaw for him, for a Tuscan “Bifstecca”. I grabbed some Mortadella and Reggiano Parmigiana cheese from “Claudio’s” but unfortunately, the next day after sleeping over, I left it in chef99’s refrigerator by mistake, but not to worry, he assured me it would not go to waste. [basic-smile.gif]

We had four for dinner, me, larry99, Mike Geno, artist extraordinaire (see his web site at http://mikegeno.com/) and Vesco, a 24 year old from Bulgaria in the States acting as a chaperone for the Spanish exchange student staying with larry’s family, an impressive young man who speaks Bulgarian, Spanish and excellent English.

There were a variety of whites and a rose for apperitif wines, including the 2010 Chateau L’Ermitage white from Nimes, a blend of 60% Rousanne, 20% Grenache Blanc, and 20% Viognier which I thought was delicious. The “Sperino” Rose from the Paolo di Marchi estate in Lessona, made from Nebbiolo, was also excellent. Also the 2010 Almondo Arneis Roero “Bricco delle Ciliegie” was very impressive. These were consumed with the salad and then the calamari stuffed with shrimp and crab from “Claudio’s”.

Larry grilled some rabbit on sprigs of fresh rosemary and to go with that we had the 2005 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino, decanted about three hours ahead of time. There was no real sediment to speak of. The wine had a beautiful medium cherry red color, mature but healthy, and it’s forwardness I assume reflects the vintage. The nose is quite elegant, spicy red cherry fruit, some leather, some tobacco, but in a refined, elegant manner, not a big boomer at all. Larry thought it lacked intensity and depth for Brunello, but I thought it made up for it in it’s typicity and character. Light tannin, it was a fine match with the rabbit. Grade: B+.

Larry grilled the 4 inch thick Bifstecca on the grill with olive oil, fresh rosemary and garlic, and sliced it down, a perfect medium rare, served with fresh lemons, along with ourzo in a sauce made from fresh plum tomatoes from my garden. To go with it we cracked a “Dave bin” wine, the 1999 Vignamaggio Chianti Classico Riserva, “Monna Lisa” (yes, they use two "n"s in Monna).

A long time favorite CCR, the “Monna Lisa” met all expectations. The cork was in perfect shape and came out with a loud pop. The color was a gorgeous blood red, much darker than the Brunello, but vibrant and enticing. The nose was full of Tuscan dust, spicy black cherry and black raspberry fruit, saddle leather, and black licorice. Beautiful acidity on the palate, light tannin, fresh black fruits, delicious, a wonderful match for the beef. A wonderful Chianti, and there is no rush to drink it either. Grade: easy A.

Thanks to larry for another great dinner at his “bistro99”.

Ciao, dc.

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