Montalcino Dinner at Aureole

[cabrales]

I am not knowledgeable about Montalcino wines, but thought other members might be interested in a dinner to be hosted by Aureole on June 18, 2002 (beginning possibly as early as 5:30 pm; members should confirm timing and other details).

Zachy's "Wines of Montalcino Dinner"

Chespeake Crab with Tiny Asparagus, bouillabaisse gelee, with Vermentino Guado al Tasso Antinori 2001

Seared Artic Char, "Rosso" braised artichokes, with Tosso di Montalcino Ciacci Piccolomini 1999 and Rosso di Montalcino Costanti 1999

Thyme Basted Squab with Port Glazed Foie Gras, caramelised apricot, with Brunello di Montalcino Pertimali 1997 and Brunello di Montalcino Maccioche 1997

Dijon Crusted Lamb Rack, tender lamb shoulder and Oregon morels, with Brunello di Montalcino Poggio Antico 1997 and Brunello di Montalcino Riserva Poggio Antico 1990

Cheese Flavors of Italy, with Brunello di Montalcino Valdicava 1997 and Brunello di Montalcino La Magia 1997

Warmed Roasted Peach and Black Cherry Strudel, Sauterne sorbet, with Sol Alto Le Pupille 1999

The price appears a bit high at $195/person, but I would not be able to assess the prices normally associcated with Montalcino wine.

[La Niña]

I'd definitely appreciate some input from those of you who know something about these wines.

[Beachfan]

1997 is a fabulous year for Brunello.  The wines must came over.  The only one on this list that I tasted was the Valdicava which was delightful.  I bought some Pertamali based on reviews.  

The Poggio Antico Brunello 1990 should be very nice.  The Rossos should be pleasant drinkers but not of the same level of the Brunello's.  But it seems like there is enough wine, so you can drink light till the Brunellos get served.

[La Niña]

It is really the ideal time to drink the '97 Brunellos?  Is it too soon?

[Beachfan]

I believe the idea is to taste the current releases.  That way, one can decide what they might want to purchase.

[La Niña]

For future consumption?  Or to drink now?

[Beachfan]

1997 Brunello's will  be at there best several years from now.  They are one of the longer aging Italian wines.

[La Niña]

I have a '93 Brunello (Riserva) at home.  Should I drink it now?  Is it at its best?

[Ron Johnson]

It is a crime to drink the 97 brunellos now.  I understand the intent to sample the new releases to see if one is interested in buying, but I would rather have a dinner where mature brunellos are paired with food.  However, I would recommend to anyone here to purchase some 97 brunello.  It is an exquisite vintage.  The advantage of such a tremendous vintage is that even the lesser known and less expensive producers turn out great wine.  The smart strategy is to bypass all the well known lables with the Wine Spectator shelf talker exclaiming "99 points!" that are selling for upwards of $100, and look for some brunellos under $50 per bottle.  In ten years you will be patting yourself on the back when you open one of these treasures.

As an aside, the Vermentino from Antinori's Guado al Tasso served with the first course of crab is an amazing white wine.  Well worth its $19 price tag.

[Beachfan]

  Nina Wugmeister said:

I have a '93 Brunello (Riserva) at home.  Should I drink it now?  Is it at its best?

There's no one time that a wine is at it's peak.  A lot depends on storage as well as individual taste.

I've had a couple of my 1993's and are holding the rest a little longer.

[La Niña]

I'm gonna open and drink that particular '93 Brunello Riserva on Sunday - bringing it to Kebab Cafe (Ali's making us what he calls his "tongue and cheek" meal - lamb tongue, cheeks, brains)...and kibbeh nayeh appetizer (his version of middle eastern steak tartare).  I'll report back.

[Liza]

The current Wine Spectator has an article "Blockbuster 1997 Brunellos" and Italian Wine Merchants' newsletter is touting the same. If anyone wants a copy of the IWM newsletter detailing their Brunellos and prices, PM me and I'll forward it over.

[La Niña]

Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend the Aureole/Brunello di Montalcino dinner next Tuesday. The reservation is for 2, at 8:45pm.  If anybody would like the reservation, let me know by Friday.

There's detailed information about it someplace or another on here, posted by Cabrales.  It's $195 per person.

[cabrales]

Members should note that the wine tasting would begin earlier than 8:45 pm. When I asked the restaurant a few weeks ago, 5:30 pm was a possible indicated time for the tasting. Any members interested in taking up Nina's reservation might want to check on timing, etc.  

[La Niña]

Doesn't quite work like that.  It's not a tasting with one seating, or even two.  One makes a regular reservation at Aureole - 8:45 was the only time left when I made the reservation.  5:30 just happens to be the earliest dinner reservation they take.

[Beachfan]

  Nina Wugmeister said:

I'm gonna open and drink that particular '93 Brunello Riserva on Sunday .  I'll report back.

How was it?

[La Niña]

  Beachfan said:

  Nina Wugmeister said:

I'm gonna open and drink that particular '93 Brunello Riserva on Sunday .  I'll report back.

How was it?

I can't pretend to be in your league as an expert taster (far from),  but it was quite good.  Pretty intense.  It was premature to drink it, but nevertheless, sufficiently complex, and very satisfying.  Was perfect with the strong flavors we ate - sheeps head meat, etc.  I'd like to try another '93 in a couple of years.

I intend to buy some of this '97 Brunello madness, and try to control myself and leave it a good long while.

Meanwhile, people are starting to murmur about '99 Brunellos...any thoughts?

[Beachfan]

  Nina Wugmeister said:

  Beachfan said:

  Nina Wugmeister said:

I'm gonna open and drink that particular '93 Brunello Riserva on Sunday .  I'll report back.

How was it?

I can't pretend to be in your league as an expert taster (far from),  but it was quite good.  Pretty intense.  It was premature to drink it, but nevertheless, sufficiently complex, and very satisfying.  Was perfect with the strong flavors we ate - sheeps head meat, etc.  I'd like to try another '93 in a couple of years.

I intend to buy some of this '97 Brunello madness, and try to control myself and leave it a good long while.

Meanwhile, people are starting to murmur about '99 Brunellos...any thoughts?

Which one was it?

[La Niña]

Castello Banfi, if memory serves.

[talentedone]

Nina,

Thanks for the generous offer.  Sweet of you to pay and give your reservation.

Where can I  go pick invite?

Will offer to treat you to a picnic in the park.

[La Niña]

cute, very cute.

anyway, in all seriousness, i cancelled the reservation already.

[talentedone]

That is sad.  I asked my wife if she would want to attend that and she had agreed.

So now we have to go somewhere else and pay for it.

Are you an Indian giver?  

That was some way of teasing people.  Cute. Very cute!

Actually, not cute.  It sucks!

Did you want us to know you had money to attend, but were not, and so wanted to simply make a statement?

Or did you really want to be generous and share your tickets with people even for a moment?

You had me fooled as being a Medici last night.  I was dreaming.

[La Niña]

Excuse me, but the offer was simply for someone to take over the reservation.  That's all it was, a reservation.  I'm sorry you were confused.  I did even make sure to mention the cost of the dinner.

[Jinmyo]

Oooh.

[talentedone]

But you still tricked many of us.

Shameful... next time.. you can announce y ou know about something..

We can all call and reserve...

Indian givers I was told did not exist today.. BUt I guess they do.. and at egullet.