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TN: CCR, Austrian Muscat, Brunelli
On Halloween my little town shuts down the streets through the business
district , and the kids trick or treat the businesses before they have a parade for costume judging. Lots of fun, but leads to a long day. Betsy helped me give out an absolute s$%6load of candy, then we headed home. And hour or so dealing with the neighborhood trick or treaters, then off to an Italian restaurant for a surprise 5th anniversary party for friends. Their Halloween wedding was one of the more colorful events in my memory, so I was glad to go to the celebration(even if theme was silly hats- Betsy made me a pretty credible turban). The wine list was stronger on whites (some credible Friulians and Arneis, etc). than reds. But as the lamb called out to me and the duck called Betsy, I ordered the 1999 Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva (fairly priced at $38 on the list). Ripe raspberry fruit, moderate new oak, a little soft for a 1999. Decent finish, with some air a little earth. OK, a decent match with the lamb, B. Although 3 others took a glass, most folks were having martinis, etc. So for bottle #2, knowing some would get left, I went for the lowest priced red on the list, the always dependable 2000 Monte Antico ($18, about 2.5 X retail). Actually, I liked about as much as the CCR. An nice layer of damp earth under the cherry and red berry fruit, balanced acidity, some oak flavors but not intrusive. There was one year I didn't like ('97? '98?), but overall this is always a good value in Tuscan reds. B Saturday night a couple of whites with a pasta with scallops, fresh tomatoes, and tarragon. First up was the 2001 Heidi Schrock Muscat from Austria. I had found this for $10 in Zachys closeout bin, had picked up as Betsy likes dry muscat (and I find it a good asparagus accompaniment). Opened as an aperitif, carried over into the meal. Very perfumed nose of wildflowers and clover honey. Dry, light, with moderate acidity. There was good musky fruit, but with a funny nutty/sherry overtone. I kept alternating between thinking it was slightly damaged and not. One sip I'd think "oxidized" and the next "nah, it's fine". Also tried a glass of an already opened Riesling, the 2002 Leitz "Dragonstone" (Rüdesheim Drachenstein) Qba (Rheingau). Sweet but with a big dose of acidity to balance, great white fruit flavors, long finish, B+ and a helluva deal at $9. Earlier that afternoon, had traveled to Zachy's to pick up some wines I ordered from their sale last week. Could I pass up the tasting table? Nope. Some Tuscans, mostly '98 Brunelli with a few Super Tuscans and Rossos. I limited myself to a few wines: 2001 Ciacci Piccolomini "Fonte Ciacci" Rosso di Montalcino (19.99) Medium bodied, ripe red fruit, forgetable B- 1998 Ciacci Piccolomini "Pianrosso" Brunello di Montalcino (39.99) Soft, fruity, ripe dark fruit. Pleasant wine, would be a great $20 Rosso. B 1999 Ciacci Piccolomini "Pianrosso" Brunello di Montalcino (sample) Hey, this is more like it. More structured, masculine, powerful. Assuming no big price increases this might be one to buy. A-? 1998 Le Macioche Brunello di Montalcino ($34.99) Ripe fruit, some tannins and spice. B 1998 Tiezzi Brunello di Montalcino ($35.99) Dark cherry fruit, a little cedar and earth. B/B+ 1998 Collosorbo Brunello di Montalcino ($39.99) Soft and easy B I skipped a few Brunellos, including the 1998 Uccelliera which is still my favorite '98 I've tasted to date. Overall the vintage seems to be somewhat soft and fruity, probably early drinking. It's hard for me to get enthused at spending $35-40 for a early drinking Sangiovese. I'm in what seems to be a tiny minority than thinks the '95s are the finest Brunellos since '90 - though the '99s might change my mind, if more are like what the Ciacci Piccolomini showed at this early stage. Grade disclaimer: I'm a pretty easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Dale Dale Williams Drop "damnspam" to reply |
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TN: CCR, Austrian Muscat, Brunelli
Dale Williams wrote: > On Halloween my little town shuts down the streets through the business > district , and the kids trick or treat the businesses before they have a parade > for costume judging. Lots of fun, but leads to a long day. Betsy helped me give > out an absolute s$%6load of candy, then we headed home. And hour or so dealing > with the neighborhood trick or treaters, then off to an Italian restaurant for > a surprise 5th anniversary party for friends. Their Halloween wedding was one > of the more colorful events in my memory, so I was glad to go to the > celebration(even if theme was silly hats- Betsy made me a pretty credible > turban). I'm trying to picture your ponytail protruding from the back of a turban -- quite an image! Of course, since I had a long black wig on as part of my Ozzy Osbourne costume (the only other part being a pair of shaded granny glasses) I have no room to talk... ;-) > > > The wine list was stronger on whites (some credible Friulians and Arneis, etc). > than reds. But as the lamb called out to me and the duck called Betsy, I > ordered the 1999 Monsanto Chianti Classico Riserva (fairly priced at $38 on the > list). Ripe raspberry fruit, moderate new oak, a little soft for a 1999. Decent > finish, with some air a little earth. OK, a decent match with the lamb, B. > Although 3 others took a glass, most folks were having martinis, etc. So for > bottle #2, knowing some would get left, I went for the lowest priced red on the > list, the always dependable 2000 Monte Antico ($18, about 2.5 X retail). > Actually, I liked about as much as the CCR. An nice layer of damp earth under > the cherry and red berry fruit, balanced acidity, some oak flavors but not > intrusive. There was one year I didn't like ('97? '98?), but overall this is > always a good value in Tuscan reds. B > Aha!! And here I was thinking CCR == "Creedence Clearwater Revival"... Interesting notes, Dale. Thanks! Mark Lipton |
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