85 SOLAIA, 90 SEGHESIO, 97 BUSSOLA TB
at Café Capriccio, Albany, NY (4/28/2004)
Ken Birman was up in the Albany area for a workshop, so we arranged dinner at
Cafe Capriccio.
Ken was kind enough to bring the Bussola, which I have never had before. Thank you Ken!
Here are my notes:
- 1985 Antinori Solaia
Impressively dark color. Cassis, raspberries, licorice and walnuts in the nose.
(Ken says "black cherry, tobacco, and toasted almonds.") Full in the mouth.
Surprisingly, still slightly tart and tannic. Quite youthful but ready. Lovely cherry fruit. Good length.
Open 2 hours: Showing much more complexity! I have to say I was surprised at how youthful this wine still is.
There's no need to wait, but I would decant 2 hours in advance for well stored bottles. 95 points
- 1990 Seghesio Barolo La Villa
Dark ruby garnet with onion skin edge. Lovely nose of truffles, roses and grilled meat.
A heady, exciting wine with loads of fruit and a super-long finish. Clearly modern in style, but excellent Barolo character.
I think the others preferred the Solaia to this, but I'm just a Barolo head. I love this wine. Drink now - 2015. 96 points
- 1997 Bussola Amarone Vigneto Alto TB
A sweet port (Fonseca)-like nose of sweet and spicy intense red fruit and chocolate liqueur.
Thick, silky and sweet in the mouth, but not cloying in the least. Something like a great dry port.
Goes beautifully with mixed grilled (quail, duck leg, game sausage).
Open 2 hours: Spicy orange peel and intense red fruit in the mouth. Long finish. A sexy exotic wine.
Wow! 97 points
All in all, a lovely evening!
All original content © Ken Vastola