2006 Ronchi di Cialla "Chialla Rosso"

Went to Scalini Fedeli in Chatham NJ for 21st anniversary with Jackie Lahey. The place has a great reputation, and we had been before. Started with some champagne btg. Then tackled the wine list. Figured light Italian red as our food was all over the board. 

   Made with schiopettino and refosco grapes, the Chialla Rosso was a great match with veal, chicken, pancetta and the chocolate tart. The 8 years of age just made the symphony of flavor that much better. Acid was medium as were the tannins. More earth than fruit on the nose. 

   What made me order this wine was the fact that I had done a wine dinner with the winery in January. It was nice to be on the other side of the kitchen door for once. 

Chapoutier Belleruche Rose 2013

Bought a case for home use. A very versatile wine. Not too sweet, seems like a touch of residue sugar. Enough acid to work with most non grilled proteins. Can be found under $10 dollars. 

Chateau D'Aiguilhe

Tasted the 04 with Comtes Von Neipperg. Nice ruby rim, nose of violets and chocolate. Balenced earth and fruit, tannins velvety smooth. Finish went on for a good minute. 20 ish wholesale. 

Actually serving tomorrow night for 65 peeps. 

Sorry about the lapse

Well, made it to France. We are doing Paris First, so burgundy will follow soon

1979 La Mission Haut Brion.

Labor Day weekend brought Joe and Syl down for an early dinner. The main draw was the 79 La Mission. We cooked grilled veal chops and grilled vegetables for the main course, crab cakes as an appetizer. Roederer sparkling went very well with the crab. The La Mission was very good. Lots of dark red fruit were still n the nose, along with a hint of earthiness. The tannins had definitely tamed from 30 years of captivity. The acid was still evident, though the balance of fruit and acid was waning. This wine might even have been better a couple years ago. It is drinking well now and should not be aged any further. 1979 was a good year in Bordeaux, not stellar.
The wine went very well with the veal chop. The acids were sufficient to cut through the fat of the chop. The fruit and tannin just kept the wine layers moving. A very memorable pairing.

1961 Mouton Rothschild

Cedar again on the nose, darkish fruits on the nose. Still very vibrant and showing decent fruit. Wow.

1982 Mouton Rothschild

Dark fruit and oak on the nose, Stil strong tannin and fruit with a long lingering finish. Really nice