Tuscan Lunch chez Joel

Kent countryside, UK
Tasted Friday, March 3, 2023 by fussyeater with 174 views

Introduction

Kindly organised by one of the foremost Tuscan enthusiasts I know and dab hand in the kitchen!

Flight 1 - Antipasto misto (1 Note)

  • 2012 Alfred Gratien Champagne Brut Millésimé 92 Points

    France, Champagne

    Magnum. Pale yellow in colour with nose showing grapefruit, lemons and a little toast which flow on to the midpalate. Medium bodied and very crisp with fine bubbles and no shortage of acidity and could pass as a BdB. I believe its 15% Pinot Meunier, 15% Pinot Noir and 70% Chardonnay with 8.5g/L dosage. Very nice and one could imagine a great match with sea food.

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Flight 2 - Spaghetti Al Pesto Inverno (3 Notes)

  • 2021 Diego Conterno Langhe Nascetta 90 Points

    Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Langhe DOC

    Pale yellow in colour. Petrol and white fruits on quite an intense nose. Medium to full bodied with a viscous and grippy mouthfeel whilst being very minerally and savoury and not fruity at all. There's zip and energy in abundance and really interesting, although sui generis and may not appeal to the wider masses.

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  • 2020 Isole e Olena Chardonnay Collezione Privata Toscana IGT 94 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

    Pale lemon in colour, and the nose is hedonistic and posh, showing a little smoke, bitter lemon and yellow fruits which follow through on to the midpalate with substantial concentration and a waxy bone dry viscosity. There's serious persistence and length and yet it seems so precise. I loved it.

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  • 2017 Poggio al Tesoro Bolgheri il Poggio Solosole Pagus Camilla 91 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri

    Glue like nose. Glycerol and substantial weight on the expansive midpalate and there are still solvents and tart green fruit. A very singular white wine and quite an experience - and it seems to work! Vermentino 100% (selection of Vermentino clones from Corsica)

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Flight 3 - Poposo alla Fiorentina (3 Notes)

  • 2015 Cerbaiona (Molinari) Rosso di Montalcino 91 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Rosso di Montalcino

    Inky and showing forest floor with red fruits. Quite tight at the moment and tannic with hot rocks in evidence. After some time in the glass it broadens its shoulders and gains better balance. Did not enjoy this nearly as much as when I had this BTG and wonder if it would have shown better by itself following a decant? Served PnP.

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  • 2013 Podere Poggio Scalette Il Carbonaione Alta Valle della Greve IGT 91 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Alta Valle della Greve IGT

    Deep sexy nose - very intoxicating elixir showing dark fruits and even chocolate! Full bodied and substantial with fireworks on the midpalate although feels a bit hot, and first time to write "liquorice" in a TN. Hedonistic and unlike anything I've had before. Curious to explore further. Apparently this was decanted ahead.

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  • 2006 Fontodi Flaccianello della Pieve Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT 94 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Colli della Toscana Centrale IGT

    An aged Flacc is always a treat and this bottle didn't disappoint. Charming and captivating nose showing red and blue fruits with a smidgen of liquorice in the background. Medium to full bodied and more red fruited (sour cherries?) on the midpalate. Balance and class in abundance. Whilst in its drinking window and a real treat now, I think it will be even better in another 5 to 10 years as in my experience this may ramp up the aromatics into the upper stratosphere.

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Flight 4 - Peposo alla Fiorentina (redux) (3 Notes)

  • 2014 Fattoria del Pino Brunello di Montalcino 95 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

    Ethereal nose showing red fruits and a hint of pot pourri that follow on to the midpalate. It's medium bodied and very fine and long with super silky tannins, purity in spades and laser precision. It's no slouch either as there's underlying power and good grip, yet this wine is defined by its exquisite overall balance. My WOTL in an all star cast.

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  • 2014 Cupano Brunello di Montalcino 92 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

    Strawberries on the nose. It's light to medium bodied, very pure (red fruits) and finely chiselled. Enjoyable and accessible but perhaps not a medium to long term cellaring candidate.

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  • 2016 Sesti (Castello di Argiano) Brunello di Montalcino Phenomena Riserva 93 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Montalcino, Brunello di Montalcino

    This was a bottle that opened in error and was not supposed to be on the flight plan! What a treat it was.... Initially slightly muted on the nose later revealing red fruits and super fine and silky tannins. Nicely balanced and whilst the oak is there it does not stick out. Lovely.

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Flight 5 - Peposo alla Fiorentina (encore) (2 Notes)

  • 1999 Castello dei Rampolla Sammarco Toscana IGT 90 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

    Aromatics were very distinctive and firmly on the dark fruit with old leather and tobacco. Quite full bodied, and not soupy rather than fresh and on the black fruit with a prominent lick of oak in evidence.

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  • 2000 Castello dei Rampolla d'Alceo 89 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

    Cooked black fruit and oak on the nose which carried over on to the midpalate where there were soupy tannins, stewed fruit, and in search of an oasis of freshness. Perhaps it was not my style or my ability to read the wine was hindered by nearly a dozen preceding bottles!

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Flight 6 - Peposo alla Fiorentina (finale) (2 Notes)

  • 2010 Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore Ornellaia 90 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Bolgheri, Bolgheri Superiore

    Almost black in colour. Prunes, liquorice, tobacco and leather on the nose. Full bodied with fine tannins and certainly on the black fruit. A bit heavy and unsubtle. Not really my cup of tea. Decanted the previous evening. Also the commemorative label looks a bit naff(!)

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  • 1999 Antinori Tignanello 93 Points

    Italy, Tuscany, Toscana IGT

    Forest floor and sweet red fruits on the nose with some musty library books. There are bright acids, freshness and very good balance with succulent red fruits and persistence. Loved the style and was a treat to drink a Tig with bottle age.

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Flight 7 - Rhubarb and frangipane tart (1 Note)

Closing

A wonderful lunch with great cuisine, a picture perfect setting, there were no bottle failures - just friends enjoying camaraderie and perhaps drinking the best Tuscan wines anywhere in the world at that moment!

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