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Default TN: "Who needs Tuscany or Piedmont?"

On Jan 19, 10:07�am, DaleW > wrote:
> Six winegeeks and 14 bottles gathered last night at ROC Restaurant in
> Tribeca. Our theme was �"Who needs Tuscany or Piedmont?" , �a fairly
> random sampling of wines from elsewhere in Italy. Good group, good
> food (in my case grilled octopus and elk ossobuco), good times.
>
> My apologies if any of these are misidentified, we had a list with
> some details in advance, but we were in a dim corner.
>
> 2008 Casa D'Ambra Ischia
> Cliff said this had been compared to a Muscadet, and I can see why -
> chalky minerality with a saline edge, a little hint of spritz, not
> very fruit driven (though there is some green apple and lime
> underneath). Bit softer acidity than most Muscadets, but good. B
>
> 2007 Lambruschi "Sarticola" Vermentino Colli di Luni
> Considerably larger framed, sweet ripe fruit yet with an acidic core
> (at least one person disageed finding it soft). Very minerally, solid
> yellow fruits, a touch of herb. Very good with the octopus. I carried
> the remainder with me, intending to have tonight, then ran into Alex
> from my Dobbs wine group at train, we each had a glass on the 10:56.
> Held up well, very expressive, even if a tad warm. The only problem
> with this wine is the $47 pricetag- if it was in low $20s like the
> Bruna Pigato a definite buy again, at this price probably not. B+
>
> Scott had brought a couple of matched pairs, Torrette and Fumin from 2
> Valle d'Aoste producers. Fun to contrast and compare
>
> 2006 Les Cretes Torrette
> Bright, lively, raspberry fruit punctuated with herb. �I'd definitely
> buy this B+
>
> 2006 GrosJean Torrette
> Softer, slightly �plodding compared to the Les Cretes. Still nice, and
> showed better on �a revisit. B/B-
>
> 2007 Occhipinti Frapatto
> Pretty, fragrant, with a Loire-like freshness. Floral on revisit,
> lovely lighter styled wine. B+
>
> 2007 Occhipinti Nero d'Avola
> Big dose of brett at first pour, it seemed to partially blow off.
> Others found no brett, go figure. But this is pleasant "cow pasture"
> brett, not a strain that bothers me. Quiet and closed, this needed
> time and food. Better later. B
>
> 2002 �Passopisciaro �Franchetti Mt Etna
> (some discussion re cepage here, either Nerello Mascalese with petit
> verdot or cesanese with PV)
> Slightly lifted nose, with a �dill/green edge. Lots of oak, extracted
> fruit, I didn't love this, but it was certainly interesting after the
> other wines. Quite tannic, might show better with a thick steak. B-/C+
>
> 2000 Paolo Bea Sagrantino di Montefalco Secco
> Thanks Ramon. Just a gorgeous wine, and I think consensus WOTN.
> Someone said "like a comfy couch" and I offered to buy that couch.
> Seamless, elegant, complex. I'm sure this can age well, but it's
> drinking amazingly well now (it showed best early on, though it was
> still lovely �on revisit. A
>
> 1998 Emidio Pepe Montalcino d'Abruzzo
> Young, fairly tight. Showed better after a decant. Earth, dark fruit,
> forest floor. B++
>
> 2002 Nino Negri "5 Stele" Sfursat
> Somewhat modern, quite ripe, a bit of Amarone meets Barolo. Quite
> dense. Maybe better with time, I didn't love. B-/C+
>
> 2005 Les Cretes Fumin
> High acids, tight. B-
> 2006 GrosJean Fumin
> No notes written (that time of night) C+
> I have to say neither Fumin excited me, I liked less than either
> Torrette, but if I had to choose I'd take the Les Cretes over the
> GrosJean.
>
> (vintage?) Inama Carmenere
> Dark fruit, smoke, but a bit empty on finish. B-
>
> 2001 Paolo Bea Sagrantino di Montefalco Passito
> Moderate sweetness, raisins, caramel. VERY generous for Ramon to bring
> both Beas. I liked this, but dubious QPR, this is good while the dry
> wine was great. B
>
> It was good to meet Scott and see everyone else again. Thanks to
> Oswaldo for coming all the way from Brazil and organizing restaurant,
> and to everyone for their company and vinuous contributions.
>
> Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an
> excellent�wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I
> wouldn't�drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I
> offer no�promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of
> consistency.��


The Franchetti is Petite Verdot and Cesanese.