NK Barolo (Monfortino) @ Greg's 3/10/2007

NK Barolo (Monfortino)
at Greg dal Piaz's in NYC (3/10/2007)

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Many more photos are here.

Greg dal Piaz (and his wife Michelle) hosted this unbelievable dinner.

Attendees included Bill Boykin and his lady friend Sherri, 2 friends of Michelle (fellow teachers), Jamie Wolfe, Asher Rubinstein, Joe Gagliano, Brad Kane, and Antonio arrived around 10pm.

All wines opened between noon and 2, except where noted. Dinner started around 6:30 pm.

Flight 1
(7 pm) With light antipasti: olives, fresh moz, lomo, speck, bresaola, smoked game birds, beans.

1958 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva
Light color. Earthy cherry nose with a touch of mint. Tarry, sweet cherries in the mouth. Mature and lovely. 91 points.

1958 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino
Darker, browner color. Chocolate and Madeira nose. Sour turpentine in the mouth. NR

1955 Cappellano Barolo
Beautiful nose of cinnamon, cocoa, and strawberries. Sweet cherries, earth and an appealing greenness in the mouth. Very nice stuff. Best wine of the flight. 93 points

1970 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino
[Decanted about 6pm.] Mature cherry color. Sour cherry nose. Youthful but very sour. NR

Flight 2
(7:30) With Risotto al Barolo con Teleggio.

1970 Giacomo Conterno Barolo
Slightly maderized cherry nose. Sour cherry, some bite. 87 points.

1961 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino
Almost clear brown color. Ethereal nose of earth and cherries. Lots of sour cherries and subtle chocolate in the mouth. Very nice stuff. 94 points.

1971 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino
Rich, chocolatey nose. Mouthfillingly rich. Great long chocolate and sour cherry finish has loads of tannin. Still too young to drink now, but shows well with the risotto. 95 points.

Flight 3
(8 pm) With Venison brasato, truffled polenta, and Roasted root veg with braised chicken.

1968 Mastroberardino Taurasi Riserva
[Completely blind. Brought by Joe G.] Big mint chocolate nose. Thick silky beautifully smooth. Still tannic. An amazing with a super long finish. A great, great wine! WOTN so far. No one can guess what it is. Most of us say Barolo. 98 points.

1989 Podere Rocche dei Manzoni Barolo Riserva
No notes for me except $80.

1974 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino
Big woodsy nose. Gorgeous in the mouth. Bracing cherry acidity. Licorice. Very long finish. Drink 2014–25. 96 points.

1987 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino
Sweet cherry and strawberry on the nose. Thick, delicious, tannic. A gorgeous wine. Terrific right now, esp. with braised venison, but should drink well for at least another decade. 95 points.

Flight 4
(9:30) [Bottles opened at 5:30.]
With a cheese course.

1999 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva Monfortino
Explosive nose of intense black cherries. A monumental wine. Hugely expansive in the mouth. Sweet red fruits. One of the longest finishes ever! A great young wine. 98–100 points.

1982 Elio Altare Barolo Vigneto Arborina
Not fair to serve this after the 99 Monfo. Muted sour cherry nose. Silky tannins. Nice. 92 points.

1982 Elio Altare Barolo La Morra
Mildly corked. Not unpleasant, but not really there. NR.

Wines so far . . .

Flight 5
(10 pm) [Brought by Antonio. Pop & pour.]

1971 Giacomo Conterno Barolo
Ethereal nose of truffle and woods. Thick and silky in the mouth with drying tannins on the finish. One of the best mature wines here. 95 points.

1958 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Riserva
Redder color. Nose of meat, iron, and cherries. Incredibly sweet cherry fruit. Incredibly youthful. A stunning wine! 96 points.

Flight 6
(11pm) [Opened by Greg because he was thirsty!]
1970 Giuseppe E Figlio Mascarello Barolo Monprivato
Beautiful, tarry licorice and black cherry nose. Stunning! Youthful black color. Rich and tannic with along black fruit finish. Wow! A great wine! 97 points.

1970 Bartolo Mascarello Barolo
Amazing nose of carob (Asher) and oyster shell (Greg). Very mature in the mouth. Superb length. Opening up in the glass. A terrific bottle of wine! 96 points.

Many more photos are here.