WTN: More Pistons and Italia

[geo t.]

The first two wines were enjoyed during Game 4, with noted Southeastern Michigan wine – psychopomp Bill Schwab. The last two were savored at home during the climactic Game 5.

1997 Altesino Brunello di Montalcino, 13.5% alc.: Dark garnet, and not showing a lot on the nose, but plenty of dried sour cherry, leather, licorice and soy on the palate. Sleek, streamlined, rich and dee-lish, with quintessential Tuscan character, and a fine future ahead of it; still, this needs to grow a nose.

Imported by Winebow, Inc., New York, NY

2000 Lamborghini Campaleone Umbria IGT, 13.5% alc.: This deep, dark garnet Sangiovese – Merlot blend throws a fragrant bouquet that features toasty oak over black and red fruit shaded with underbrush and a little barnyard; flavors are dense and concentrated, with elements of plum, blackberry and black currant. Chewy and yummy, flirting with a New World – international style while retaining a very dry character at the same time. Bill Schwab describes this as “a food product.”

Imported by Winebow, Inc., New York, NY

1990 Domenico Clerico Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra, 14% alc.: This rusty garnet is all secondary action on the nose, reminiscent of a cedar chest and smoke, and little if any primary fruit; in this case, that’s a good thing. Flavors echo big time, with added prune, raisin, leather, and as it opens, some tobacco and more than a hint of decaying vegetation. Still some tannins here, but they’re not at all intrusive, the acids are in balance and the finish is long. Rich and delicious, the wine has a sleek density to it, and it evolves continuously with air; by hour number four, it’s all cedar and saddle leather. If I’d like just a wee bit less of the decaying vegetation element, this is still undeniably great Barolo.

Imported by Julienne Importing Co., Chicago, IL

1996 Az Agr Boasso Barolo Gabutti, 14% alc.: Dark garnet fading to pink at the promiscuous, this is tight on the nose at first, showing grudging black currant, black cherry and dried sour cherry, with a hint of something like a full ashtray next to an aquarium. The tight flavors echo, but with impressive intensity and concentration, and while it opens noticeably after an hour or so, it’s still deep, dark and mysterious; more of that dried sour cherry character emerges after two hours. While approachable, this needs time (it should be singing on or about its fifteenth birthday) to show its best. It’s a Ben Wallace kind of Barolo, with impressive structure, so it’s not about to fade away any time soon.

A Marc de Grazia Selection, imported by Vin Divino, Chicago, IL

Reporting from Day-twah,

geo t.

Edited June 17, 2004 by geo t. (log)

[Craig Camp]

1990 Domenico Clerico Barolo Ciabot Mentin Ginestra, 14% alc.:

Imported by Julienne Importing Co., Chicago, IL

[

...uummm. Clerico Barolo imported by Julienne Importing. Looks like a little grey market action going on in the Midwest. I am sure Mr. De Grazia will not be amused.