Gusto Italiano Wine Dinner (Fully Booked) Friday, December 23rd 2008 7:30pm
Antinori Marchesi Chianti Classico Riserva 2004
A welcoming aroma of ripe cherries, mingled with mint and leather. The wine was served a little bit warm. Sweetness can be detected on the palate. A very easy-to-drink wine! Sadly, the second bottle was corked.
Poderi Aldo Conterno Barbera D’Alba Conca Tre Pile 2004
An approachable red with generous red fruits (cherries, raspberries). Juicy, tart and acidic on the palate, with a good sour cherry finish.
Barone Ricasoli Castello di Brolio Chianti Classico 2004
The wine was pretty closed upfront. We aerated the wine several times, using an aerating funnel. Nose of dark fruits, spices, mints, oak, and flowers. Tannic, acidic, full of fruits -- this wine will age very well for couple years.
La Braccesca Vino Nobile di Montepulciano 2004
Beautiful complex nose of dark fruits, mints, sweet spices, chocolate and mocha. Well-structured, lively, with an elegant finish! An outstanding Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and a rare find given its value. It is difficult to resist another glass!
Allegrini Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2004
An intense aroma of black fruits, sweet spices, and liquorices. On the palate, velvety, fruity, and tannic. Warmth coming from the high alcoholic content. Though fresh and enjoyable now, this wine can aged for many years.
Allegrini Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 1996
It is interesting to taste the 1996 vintage after the 2004. The color is much paler compared to the deep ruby 2004. The nose is of raisons, prune, dried flowers, and liquorices. Delicate, silky, sweet, and smooth on the palate with a long beautiful finish.
Prunotto Barbaresco 2005
Fresh and gentle, with aromas of dark cherries, oak, nuts, menthol, and hints of dry roses.
Prunotto Barolo 2004
Intense, complex bouquet of dark fruits, currants, chocolate, flowers, spices, and hints of smoky tobacco. Well balanced with a long, lingering finish. With time, the aroma changes from dark currants to a beautiful raspberry and strawberry nose. This is a wine complex enough to enjoy over several hours.
Summary:
Hong Kong is still a market dominated by French and Australian wines in terms of sales volume. It can be hard discovering great Italian wines. We have definitely achieved our goal for the evening – exploring and tasting great Italian varietals – the great Barolos, popular Chianti Classico, bitter-sweet Amarone, enticing Vino Nobile di Montepulciano… The Allegrini vertical was not pre-arranged, thus a pleasant bonus for the evening!
