On Jan 19, 11:35*am, "Bi!!" > wrote:
> On Jan 19, 10:07 am, DaleW > wrote:
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> > 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.

Thanks!
Note also I shouldn't type after short sleep, I called the Pepe
Montalcino d'A, obviously Montepulciano