1997 Italian Horizontal Tasting

                    Featuring appetizers from my favorite "Italian" chef Valerie.

                             

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                1997, The Italian vintage of the century.                

Guests: Kathy Brewster, Chris Scheid, Laura Molloy, Jon Levy, Dennis Ferry, Doug Breuninger, Ed Bohrer, Al Decker, Sharon Decker, Dick Demchak, David Rorgers, Allison Rodgers, John Arters, Jen Zdunczyk

The favorites were the Gaja Barbaresco and the Amarone.

  From Piedmont

  • 1997 Gaja Barbaresco. WA-94 / WS-95, Price at release $160 now $300 / 5,000 cases "This needs time." J.S./W.S.
  • 1997 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco, Santa Stefano Vineyard. WA-93 / WS-90, Price $128 / 1,220 cases "Drink now or cellar for 15+ years." R. Parker

      From Venato

  • 1997 Negrar, Amarone. WS-NR Price $278

      From Umbria

  • 1997 Della Palazzola Rubino WA-93 $40 when new now $160 / 3,200 cases 80% Cab. Sauv. 20% Merlot, Unfined and unfiltered, 100% new oak. "35+ second finish, drink now or next 15 years. Bravo!" Robert Parker

      From Tuscany

  • 1997 Gaja "Rennina" Brunello di Montalcino WA-91, WS-93, IWC-94, Price $139 / 2,000 cases
  • 1997 Antinori "Tignanello" WS-94, WA-93, WE-93 (Tech. Sheet Here) Price $70 when new, now $250, 27,000 cases
  • 1997 Banfi ExcelsuS (Super Tuscan) 60% Cab. Sauv. 40% Merlot,WS-93, Price $81 / 5,000 cases
  • 1997 Banfi SummuS (Super Tuscan) Sangiovese, Cab. Sauv., Syrah, WS-89, Price $87 / 10,000 Cases
  • 1997 Tenuta Caparzo, Brunello di Montalcino. Price $95
  • 1997 Fattoria La Lecciaia S.S. di Pacini Mauro, Brunello di Montalcino. ("Decadent" J.S. / WS-92), Price $75, 900 cases
  • 1997 Fattoria Poggiopiano, Rosso di Sera, WA-93 / WS-92 - $50 (90% Sangiovese/10% Colorino) 800 cases
  • 1997 Castellare Di Castellina, Chianti Classico. WS-85 (Tech. Sheet Here) Price $20 when new, now ? No longer available.
  • 1997 Montepeloso "Rosso" WA-92, Not available here, in Europe it's 25.50 Euros. (Sangiovese, Colorino, Merlot)
  • 1997 Fattoria La Pupille (Riserva) Morellino di Scansano, (Tech. Sheet for regular, not for Reserva) WS-92, $55, 2,590 cases

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    All together these wines now retail for over $1,750. However some of these wines are no longer available in this country, at any price. This is a never to be repeated, not to be missed, one of a kind tasting. Limited spaces will be available.

    Eleventh Century Castle, Villa Banfi, where I purchased the ExcelsuS and the SummuS, in 1998. After a full tour and tasting Val & I had a fantastic dinner there. At Ristorante Castello Banfi.