Italian - 1997 Vintage Cal-Ital, Cal-Cab Taste-off
Gala Italian business dinner tasting featuring two Italian classics, a Lombardia Nebiolo and a 1997 vintage Sangiovese from Napa Valley against two 1997 vintage California Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons, served in that order, lightest and brightest to tightest and firmest. Wines from cellar taken to our favorite cantina, Angeli's Italian Restaurant in Naperville. The artichoke in dill dip and mussels appetizers were typically incredible. The veal and pasta dishes were their customary tasty - great backdrop to showcase this wine flight.
Venge Oakville Napa Valley Penny Lane Vineyard Family Reserve Sangiovese 1997
Nino Negri Valtellina Sfursat 5 Stelle, Lombardia, Valtellina, Italy 2004
Cornerstone Cellars Cornerstone Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1997
Robert Craig Affinity Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1997
Venge Oakville Napa Valley Penny Lane Vineyard Family Reserve Sangiovese 1997
Dark purple - medium - full bodied, this was the most expressive of the flight, bright lively forward fruits, red berry, ripe plum and spicy cherry with hints of cedar aroma and taste and a touch of anise on a lingering smooth tannin finish. Still life in this fifteen year old. More expressive than earlier tasting.
This went well with the salads as well as the pasta entrees.
RM 89 points.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=50439
From our Venge vertical collection that is highlighted regularly in this blog. Another of Venge's Sangioveses that we discovered, first tasted and purchased this wine during our winery visit and at a lunch tasting with winemaker Nils Venge as part of our Napa Valley Wine Experience 2002. In earlier blog posts I've written about that visit and previous tasting notes, other vintage tasting notes, and Nils Venge, his work with the Sangiovese grape varietal and its history. .Click on the Venge link for more features.
Nino Negri Valtellina Sfursat 5 Stelle, Lombardia, Valtellina, Italy 2004
Brick red color, medium bodied, nose black fruits, wood and hint of floral. Slightly subdued black berry and black cherry fruits predominant with undertone of black tea, leather and hint of baking spices with supple tannins that are smooth and well integrated.
RM 88 points.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=464104
Robert Craig Affinity Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1997
Rich medium full bodied. A bit tight, fruit filled with black currant, black berry, raspberry, cassis with a slight bit of astringency, hints of black pepper and smoke with silky tannins on the finish. (82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc). This wine is more expressive than early in life showing lingering fruit and staying power.This is Robert Craig's Cabernet Blend from his three mountains (Mt Veeder, Howell Mountain and Spring Mountain) and a (Napa) Valley collection. Known for its good value and early drinking ability, this fifteen year old is holding up well. We have these wines dating back to the inaugural 1993 vintage in our cellar.
RM 91 points.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=29715
From our Robert Craig vertical collection that is highlighted regularly in this blog. Click on the Robert Craig link for more features.
Cornerstone Cellars Cornerstone Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1997
Dark purple color, medium-full bodied; a bit tight, predominant black berry and black raspberry fruits with a layer of tea, tobacco, leather and hint of smoke; nicely integrated smooth tannins with hint of cassis, oak and earth on a lingering finish.
RM 90 points.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=69195
The two Cabernets were spectacular with the dark brown sauce of the portabella mushroom ravioli.
Gala Italian business dinner tasting featuring two Italian classics, a Lombardia Nebiolo and a 1997 vintage Sangiovese from Napa Valley against two 1997 vintage California Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignons, served in that order, lightest and brightest to tightest and firmest. Wines from cellar taken to our favorite cantina, Angeli's Italian Restaurant in Naperville. The artichoke in dill dip and mussels appetizers were typically incredible. The veal and pasta dishes were their customary tasty - great backdrop to showcase this wine flight.
Venge Oakville Napa Valley Penny Lane Vineyard Family Reserve Sangiovese 1997
Nino Negri Valtellina Sfursat 5 Stelle, Lombardia, Valtellina, Italy 2004
Cornerstone Cellars Cornerstone Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1997
Robert Craig Affinity Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1997
Dark purple - medium - full bodied, this was the most expressive of the flight, bright lively forward fruits, red berry, ripe plum and spicy cherry with hints of cedar aroma and taste and a touch of anise on a lingering smooth tannin finish. Still life in this fifteen year old. More expressive than earlier tasting.
This went well with the salads as well as the pasta entrees.
RM 89 points.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=50439
From our Venge vertical collection that is highlighted regularly in this blog. Another of Venge's Sangioveses that we discovered, first tasted and purchased this wine during our winery visit and at a lunch tasting with winemaker Nils Venge as part of our Napa Valley Wine Experience 2002. In earlier blog posts I've written about that visit and previous tasting notes, other vintage tasting notes, and Nils Venge, his work with the Sangiovese grape varietal and its history. .Click on the Venge link for more features.
Brick red color, medium bodied, nose black fruits, wood and hint of floral. Slightly subdued black berry and black cherry fruits predominant with undertone of black tea, leather and hint of baking spices with supple tannins that are smooth and well integrated.
RM 88 points.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=464104
Rich medium full bodied. A bit tight, fruit filled with black currant, black berry, raspberry, cassis with a slight bit of astringency, hints of black pepper and smoke with silky tannins on the finish. (82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc). This wine is more expressive than early in life showing lingering fruit and staying power.This is Robert Craig's Cabernet Blend from his three mountains (Mt Veeder, Howell Mountain and Spring Mountain) and a (Napa) Valley collection. Known for its good value and early drinking ability, this fifteen year old is holding up well. We have these wines dating back to the inaugural 1993 vintage in our cellar.
RM 91 points.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=29715
From our Robert Craig vertical collection that is highlighted regularly in this blog. Click on the Robert Craig link for more features.
Cornerstone Cellars Cornerstone Vineyard Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 1997
Dark purple color, medium-full bodied; a bit tight, predominant black berry and black raspberry fruits with a layer of tea, tobacco, leather and hint of smoke; nicely integrated smooth tannins with hint of cassis, oak and earth on a lingering finish.
RM 90 points.
https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=69195
The two Cabernets were spectacular with the dark brown sauce of the portabella mushroom ravioli.
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