March 15, 2007 - Brad Courtney's House
With the exception of Loren Bunnell, the entire membership met at Brad Courtney’s home for this month’s tasting. It was good to see Neal again and we were all jealous that Loren was still soaking up the sun in Palm Desert. Brad treated the group to two lovely Italian whites, both from 2005, a Picollo Earnest Gavi and a Roero Arneis Correggia. Most agreed that the Arneis had a better finish and was more complex.
While enjoying the wine and good company, we held our Annual Meeting. Brant Blodgett was voted in as President and Greg Bunnell was voted to stay on as Secretary. We all thanked Mike Webb for the fine job over the past year as President. The group also voted to invite Bill Kimmer to the balance of the tastings and functions this year with the idea that he will be asked to join the group at year’s end – we all hope he accepts the invitation.
We moved into the dining room and were eager to taste the “reds.” Brad poured a 2005 Dolcetta d’Alba Elio, a 2004 Vietti Langhe Doc Nebbiolo, a 2003 Barbaresco Pajore Sottimano and a 2004 Baroli Quattra Fratelli Barbera d’Alba for the first flight. All agreed, for the most part, that the Pajore was corked. The Vietti scored the best in the first flight and was probably the best value of the night at $25.00 a bottle, followed close behind with the Baroli at $15.50.
Howard Johnson, Paul Bonar, Neal Bell, Greg Bunnell, Brant Blodgett, Steve DeShaw and Mike Webb (Seated left to right).
Brad then poured the second flight, which included a 1996 Barolo Gancia Molino Mauro, a 2001 Roddolo Barolo Ravera, a 2001 Prapo Germano Ettore Barolo and a 1996 Prunotto Barolo Bussia DOGC. These wines, by consensus, were very tannic and somewhat lacking in fruit. They all scored in the high 80’s on average. All four had wonderful aroma, but the tannins and acid covered up most of the fruit.
With the Italian reds from Piedmont, Brad offered some wonderful bread, a German Potato and an Olive Oil Rosemary, cheese that included a Saint Andre Triple Cream, a 4 year old Gouda, a Fiorito and an Etorki Sheepmilk, that went well with a mild Copa, some Tuscan Salame and, of course, Proscuitto. Neal also had “fun” with some breadsticks.
We ended the evening with a 2006 La Spinetto Moscato Biancospino “Thorn Tree” and a 2001 La Sinetta Passito Oro “Gold Raisen Wine” along with a nice slice of Chocolate Eruption cake.
Click here to view the individual scores: March 2007