NK Mostly 1985 Nebbiolo
Amali Restaurant,
NYC
11/13/2015
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A small subset of the Nebbiolo Knights was able to gather in NYC for two evenings of wine,
food, and camaraderie. This evening focused on the 1985 vintage.
The 2nd evening was
1989 Barolo
and much more successful for the wines.
I took Amtrak down from Albany. The Amtrak travel magazine had cover photo of Patti Smith by my friend
Brad Trent, a renowned photographer and a wine buff.
Amali was good and reasonably priced.
This might be the last 1985 dinner we do since it wasn't a great showing and the WOTN was an 82!
Flight 1
Cheese and Meat for the table.
-
1985 Produttori del Barbaresco Barbaresco Riserva Asili -
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco
[Double-decanted at 2pm.] Lovely nose of red fruit, licorice and bark mulch.
A little sour in the mouth, but appealing, complex with a long finish.
(93 points)
-
1985 Cavallotto Barolo Riserva Bricco Boschis Vigna Colle Sudovest -
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
[Double-decanted at 2pm.] Intense ripe red berry nose. Ripe and silky in the mouth,
but still has some tannin. Excellent, but a short finish keeps it from being great.
(93 points)
Jamie and Greg.
Flight 2
Pappardelle Bolognese.
-
1985 Elio Altare Barolo Vigneto Arborina - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
[Doubled decanted at 10am. Brought to the dinner blind.] Muted black cherry nose.
Red fruit on the palate. Still has some tannin. Tasty and long. Not too complex, but quite enjoyable.
Jamie and Greg found it oaky. I did not. Modern in style, but not oaky. (92 points)
-
1985 Cappellano Barolo - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
[Double-decanted at 2pm.] Muted, soapy nose. Flat on the palate. An off bottle. (NR)
-
1985 Giuseppe E Figlio Mascarello Barolo Monprivato - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
[Double-decanted at 2pm.] Corked. Not terribly, but still corked. Sad. :( (NR)
-
1985 Giacomo Conterno Barolo Cascina Francia - Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barolo
[Double-decanted at 11am.] Black fruit and licorice nose. Tarry and tannic with little fruit.
Complex but sour. Not a bad bottle, but not a really good bottle either. (92 points)
Flight 3
Braised Rabbit Cacciatore over Escarole, Cannellini Beans, House Bacon, Black Pepper.
The rabbit was so-so, but the greens and beans underneath were delicious.
-
1982 Bruno Giacosa Barbaresco Riserva Santo Stefano -
Italy, Piedmont, Langhe, Barbaresco
[Double-decanted at 2pm.] Flamboyant red berry and fruitcake nose. Stunning in the mouth.
The only great wine tonight. Still a bit young and tannic, but riveting and complex.
Easily WOTN. (96 points)
Dessert
Chocolate Hazelnut Torte, Brownie Brittle, toasted milk gelato.
Summary
We've had better examples of these same wines.
Still, I do think it is time to drink up most 1985s.
Notes posted from CellarTracker.
More People Photos
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Tom, Dan.
Steve, Jamie, Greg.
Steve, Jamie, Greg.
All original content © Ken Vastola