I can sum up our lunch in one word: YUM
Here is the menu, with wine pairings, with my comments and ratings in RED within.
For those of us who have trouble reading Italian wines on the menu: the name of the winery is in bold at the end; the name and/or type of wine to the left.
RECEPTION
Seared Alaskan scallop, crispy tara root chip, meyer
lemon basil aioli, tapiko caviar
Villa Teresa Organic Rose
Frizzante NV ~ VINI TONON
($17.49)
Crisp and fruity, with lots of strawberry on the nose and palate. Very refreshing, absent of a lot of the bite you can sometimes find with this type of wine. 87.
PRIMO
MOZZARELLA ARTIGIANALE
Buffalo mozzarella, heirloom cherry tomatoes, extra virgin olive
oil, herb salad
Burrata cheese, herb crostini, Parma
prosciutto, wild arugula, basil olive oil
Prosecco Brut Spumante DOCG NV ~ MIONETTO
($19.99) Very light, well balanced with just the right amount of acidity. 84.
Maso Canali Pinot Grigio 2012 ~ DAVINCI
($19.99) Light and flinty on the nose, with a crisp, refreshing palate of apple with a touch of minerality. A very nice Pinot Grigio. 87.
Ca Del Magro 2011 ~ MONTE
DEL FRA
($19.99) Elegant, subtle, light and well balanced. A blend of the following:
50% Garganega, 10% Trebbiano Toscano, 10% Tocai, 15% Cortese; 15% Chardonnay-Riesling. 88.
SECONDO
GARGANELLE
Truffled bison meat balls, seasonal
mushrooms, parmigiano reggiano cream
Tenuta Frescobaldi Di Castiglione 2011 ~ Marchesi
de Frescobaldi
($26.99) Non-traditional Italian grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc,
and Merlot, joined by Sangiovese. Lots of red fruits on the nose and palate.
I originally gave this wine an 85; then I tasted it with the meatballs it was
supposed to pair with, and bumped it up to 87. I'll have a special
blog post in the next couple days on wine and food pairings!
Chianti Classico Riserva di
Fizzano DOCG 2009 ~ Rocca della Macie
($39.99) Notes of plum, berries, and tobacco on the nose and palate.
Finishes very smooth. 86.
Chianti Classico Colledilà DOCG 2009
~ Barone
Ricasoli
($66.00) Now we are playing with the big boys. 100% Sangiovese, with aging potential (15+ years) that this grape doesn't always offer. Beautiful
fruit with a touch of spice on the long, smooooooooth finish.
Very special. 94.
TERZO
FILETTO ETRUSCA
Sous
vide AAA Alberta beef tenderloin, 25yr
balsamic reduction, creamy mascarpone polenta
Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2009 ~
Castiglion
del Bosco
($59.99) Another 100% Sangiovese treasure. Lingering notes of
dark fruits, with a hint of spice and chocolate. Simply brilliant. 94.
Villa Donoratico 2010 ~ Tenuta
Argentiera
($36.99) Non-traditional Italian grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc,
and Merlot. Plums and blackberries on the nose. A hint of pepper
on the palate, with a very long and smooth finish. 85.
Barolo `Lecinquevigne’ DOCG 2008 ~
Damilano
($49.99) Ladies and Gentlemen, the King of Italian wines, I
present to you BAROLO. Here's the catch: Barola needs to age.
Not for months, not for years, but for decades. This wine is tasty
now, but it needs another 10-15 years to truly hit it's potential.
If you can wait, for $49.99, you'll probably have
yourself a steal. 88.
Barolo di Serralunga d’Alba DOCG
2009 ~ Fontanafredda
($44.99) See above. Black cherries on the nose, with some
chocolate, flowers, earth and mocha on the palate. It's already
great; in another decade, watch out. 93.
FORMAGGIO E DOLCE
VERMEER E TORTA DI PERA
World
renowned Dutch Gouda style cheese / caramelized pear tart
Amarone della
Valpolicella Costasera DOCG 2008 ~ Masi
($54.99) Most big Italian reds need to age and this is no exception,
but if you decant it for an hour or so you'll have a treat now
as well. I already have one of these in my cellar to open up
in the future. 91.
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