We hosted a fun tasting last night. Typically, a dozen people show up, each with a couple of bottles. Last night both numbers nearly doubled. We started with whites blind, then reds. With that many people and bottles, a blind tasting can get a little cumbersome, at least for me. My guesses were so far off the mark it was embarrassing. There were too many wines to take notes, but the take-home summary for me was:
The whites were all good. I don’t drink enough Italian white wines
The ‘52 Borgogno Reserva was a beauty. A nose of soy sauce and iodine (in a good way) with sweet red fruit still dominating the palate. Still strong at 70, as I hope to be (too soon).
I thought I didn’t like “modern” Barolo, but the ‘96 Paolo Scavino Bric del Fiasc was elegant and delicious. The ‘05 Aldo Conterno was fresh and nice too.
The 1964 Dessilani Bonarda from the Fara region in Piedmont was a revelation. The freshest 50+ year old wine I’ve ever had. If that was a representative bottle, that’s a grape that can stand with Nebbiolo, Tempranillo and Chenin Blanc as a wine that can age for decades.
We were lucky with the quality and condition of the wines. Only the 1995 Tignanello was bad (corked).
I like well made Nerello Mascalese. Those bottles had a lot of similarities to the Nebbiolos, but with a touch of Burgundian character. Some seem to age well.
I wish I had started buying Alta Piedmont wines earlier.
I think about a dozen bottles is my limit before I start losing focus and get palate fatigue.
Warren I agree that I (we) should be drinking more Italian whites as they have such mouthwatering acidity and and flavor and work so well with food. We hav been gorging on Pecorino lately. By the way, my ankle seems to be quite well, thanks to you ! See you soon…
There’s never “too many” wines at a tasting with friends, family, and lovers of wine…sounds like a special time, with some great people & nice wines. Thanks for sharing…
Warren, did this bottle say that it was Bonarda specifically? I’m asking because Fara is normally mostly Nebbiolo with some Vespolina and Uva Rara (also called Bonarda) in the blend.
yes, I don’t think that’s unusual, and as for guessing my occasional miracle guess shouldn’t disguise my normally limited competence at the guessing game
