Montevetrano BYOB at Angeli’s Italian

Montevetrano Colli di Salerno IGT BYOB at Angeli’s Italian

We dined outside on the patio at Angel’is Italian, our favorite neighborhood trattoria, and I took BYOB from our home cellar this unique limited production vintage aged Italian big red wine. 

This was an ideal pairing with my veal piccata and Linda’s eggplant parmagiana . 

This is from Montevetrano in the hills of San Cipriano Picentino in Campania, southern Italy, 50 miles southeast of Naples, a dozen miles east of and in the hills above Salerno 

Montevetrano started in 1983 as a hobby by Silvia Imparato, who transformed her family property into a winery in the mid-1980’s, with the guidance of acclaimed oenologist Riccardo Cotarella. She is now joined by her daughter Gaia, who oversees the winemaking.

Just south of Mount Vesuvio along the Amalfi Coast in the Monti Picentini Regional Park, the vineyards cover about 12 acres of the 60 acre estate. The vineyards are protected by the Picentini Mountains, which form like a crown around the property. 

The region boasts a cool Mediterranean climate with extreme coastal, as well as high elevation mountain terroirs. With the cooler climate in Campania; the region usually sees some of the last harvest dates in Italy. The local terroir is a combination of the mild climate of the coast and nearby mountains, and unique volcanic and sandy soils. 

The vineyards are in a former Bourbons’ estate at 100 meters above sea level, on the crest of a hill among oak, chestnut and hazelnut trees, a citrus grove and olive trees, in the shadow of an ancient medieval castle. The boundaries are marked by blackberry bushes and old roses mark the rows of the “Horse vineyard”, near and ancient ‘700 country house.

This Montevetrano Colli di Salerno IGT, is the highly acclaimed flagship blend composed of Bordeaux varietals Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, and the local indigenous grape, Aglianico. Aglianico might be considered one of Italy’s three best wine grapes, along with Nebbiolo and Sangiovese. Aglianico “alli-yawn-nico” is found almost exclusively in Southern Italy in the regions of Campania and Basilicata. 

Aglianico produces full-bodied red wines, known for strikingly savory flavors of leather, white pepper, black fruits and cured meat that when aged, develop soft dusty aromas of dried figs and sun-tanned leather. 

Montevetrano’s first vintage was released in the early 1990s; the initial blend was 90% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Aglianico, while the current blend is typically around 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Aglianico, and 20% Merlot.

Montevetrano is often called the “Sassicaia of the South” due to its role in elevating southern Italian wine to international acclaim, and, its receipt of high scores from critics such as Robert Parker in the mid-1990’s.

Sassicaia is the ultra-premium wine produced in the style of a Left Bank Bordeaux Premier Cru created by Mario Incisa of Tenuta San Guido on the Tyrrhenian coast, after much experimentation with several French grape varieties.

The wine made mainly from Cabernet Sauvignon was a fundamental change to the Tuscan and Piedmont tradition of Sangiovese and Nebbiolo, respectively. The innovative decision to plant this variety at Tenuta San Guido was partly due to the similarity Mario Incisa noted between Tuscan terrain and that of the Graves area in Bordeaux. 

His revolutionary winemaking style has became a legendary commercial phenomenon since its first release in 1968. I wrote about and featured Sassicaia in this blogpost - Sassicaia Owner Dinner and Vivere Vertical Tasting with producer co-owner Priscilla Incisa della Rocchetta.

Production of Montevetrano Colli di Salerno remains limited, with around 20,000–30,000 bottles per year. The wine is celebrated for its complexity and elegance with rich aroma, dark fruit flavors, and aging potential.

Montevetrano also produce a more approachable white and red under the “Core” designation, which often provide tremendous value.

Besides the Montevetrano Bordeaux and Anglianico Red Blend, they also produce a portfolio of aromatic and fresh reds based on Piedirosso grapes, and whites, made from Coda di Volpe and Falanghina. Both reds and whites go by the name, Lacryma Christi, meaning the "tears of Christ." The white varieties of Falanghina and Biancolella make fresh, flirty, mineral-driven whites, and the red Piedirosso and Sciasinoso vines, which cling to steeply terraced coastlines, make snappy and ripe red wines.

Farther inland, as hills become mountains, the limestone soil of Irpinia supports the whites Fiano di Avellino, Falanghina and Greco di Tufo as well as the most-respected red of the south, Aglianico. Here the best and most age-worthy examples come from Taurasi.

Farther north and inland near the city of Benevento, the Taburno region also produces Aglianico of note—called Aglianico del Taburno—on alluvial soils. While not boasting the same heft as Taurasi, these are also reliable components of any cellar.

Montevetrano "Montevetrano" Colli di Salerno IGT 2009

This is vinified with 100% estate grapes and is bottled at the estate so as to maintain total control of the production cycle. It is aged 14 months in 225 liter new and second usage barriques made of French Nevers and Allier and Troncais oak. It is then matured in bottle for 6 months before release. 

Montevetrano has a recognizable signature style, characterized by complexity, like the territory in which it is born with its variety of perfumes and colours. It is a wine with a strong persistence, that benefits from the influence of the sea and a mild climate. Montevetrano guaranties great longevity and can continues to mature in bottles for fifteen or twenty years.

Montevetrano 2009 is 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Aglianico, and 20% Merlot and spent 12-14 months in French oak, 50% new. 

This release was rated 94 points by The Wine Advocate, and 92 points by Wine Spectator, Vinous and Wine Enthusiast. 

Winemaker’s notes on this release: “This iconic red blend showcases a deep, dark hue with both brightness and depth. On the nose and palate, it offers soft red fruits layered with earthy complexity—volcanic soil, graphite, and a firm mineral backbone. Crafted from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Aglianico grown on estate-owned land, it undergoes extended skin maceration, stainless steel fermentation, and 14 months of barrique aging. The result is a structured, expressive wine with refined tannins and a lingering finish.’

“Nice bright and dark color at the same time. It is a dark wine! Soft fruits, but also so much land, this time! Volcanic notes, graphite. It closes, as often, with very good tannins.”

At fifteen years, the 2009 Montevetrano showed little sign of aging, the important fill level and cork being pristine. 

Inky black garnet in color, full bodied, concentrated complex rich savory black cherry and black plum fruits with expressive notes of balsamic, rosemary, thyme and exotic spices, leather and pipe tobacco, and hints of smoky creosote and anise with a round tannin lingering finish. 

RM 92 points.

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=1219633

https://www.montevetrano.it/en/

http://www.angeliscatering.com/

Château Haut-Bages Libéral with meatloaf

Château Haut-Bages Libéral with meatloaf and artisan cheeses 

Following our BYOB dinner out at Entourage DG Friday, where we opened from our home cellar a twenty year old vintage Grand Cru Classe’ Bordeaux with their signature Meatloaf entree, I pulled another such wine to accompany the take-home leftovers for Sunday evening dinner at home for a mini horizontal tasting of the 2005 Bordeaux vintage. 

We also paired this with some artisan cheeses, “F.R.O.G.” (Figs, Raspberries & Oranges Spiced with Ginger) Preserves, crackers and pitted greek olives. 

This time I opened a Left Bank Pauillac Bordeaux rather than the Right Bank St Emilion we drank Friday. 

Château Haut-Bages Libéral Grand Cru Classe’ 2005

This is from’ Fifth Growth’ producer (as classified in the original Bordeaux Wine Official Classification of 1855),  Château Haut-Bages Libéral that sits on the outskirts of the town of Pauillac (hence the name of the Pauillac Appellation (AOC)), just down the road and adjacent to top producers Pichon Baron, Pichon Lalande and Chateau Latour. 

We stopped at the estate winery and vineyards during our Bordeaux Wine Experience trip in 2019. 

Château Haut-Bages Libéral was established by and is named for the Libéral family who were négociants and vineyard owners in the early 1700’s, and for its position on the Bages plateau, like the similarly named well known neighbor Lynch Bages. 

The estate fell to lower quality and a state of somewhat disrepair during the wars and financial crises of the early 1900s, until the Cruse family (owners of Château Pontet-Canet at the time) purchased the property in 1960. 

The Cruse family engaged in widespread replanting of the vineyards and improved the quality, actually producing Haut Bages Liberal at Château Pontet-Canet for several years.

In 1983, they sold Chateau Haut Bages Liberal to the Taillan group. The Taillan group owns several chateaux in Bordeaux including: Chateau Gruaud Larose in Saint Julien, Chateau Ferrier in Margaux, Chateau Chaste Spleen, Chateau Camensac, Chateau Gressier Grand Poujeaux and Chateau Citran in the Haut Medoc, and Chateau Broustet in Sauternes.

In 2000, the Taillan group renovated and modernized the wine-making facilities at the Pauillac estate.

They sold the estate to the current owners, the Villars-Merlaut family, who continued improvement under the direction and leadership of Claire Villars-Lurton who also serves as winemaker. Along with her husband Gonzague Lurton, Claire Villars-Lurton also owns and manages Chateau Ferriere and Chateau La Gurgue in Margaux and Chateau Domeye in St. Estephe. They also make wine from Bordeaux varietals in Sonoma, California at their Trinite Estates vineyard.

The Château Haut-Bages Libéral estate consists of 75 acres of vineyards planted to 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot. The main vineyard that surrounds the Chateau and winery sits next door to first growth Château Latour and shares the distinctive terroir with parcels of limestone soils, which some say lend elegance and finesse in a commune often known for power. 

Another vineyard sits across the road adjacent highly acclaimed Chateau Pichon Baron, which shares the classic Pauillac terroir consisting of gravel on chalk, clay, and limestone soils, and a third smaller parcel site is further inland. The average age of the vines is close to 35 years of age. 

Haut-Bages Libéral produces roughly 10,000 cases of wine per vintage, including this Grand Vin and their second wine (labeled as either Le Pauillac de Haut-Bages Libéral, La Chapelle de Bages, or La Fleur de Haut-Bages Libéral).

Château Haut-Bages Libéral 2005

At twenty years old, this was holding better than the Château Larmande 2005 we opened Friday, which was beginning to shows signs of aging with a crumbling deteriorating cork and a slight fall-off of the fruit.

The important fill level and cork were both still near perfect, and the fruit aromatics filled the room as soon as it was opened (using an Ahso two pronged cork puller). Vinous wrote in 2021  “The 2005 Haut-Bages Libéral is a very young Pauillac that is just beginning to show the first signals of aromatic opening.” 

There’s still several years left of prime drinking in this vintage release. 

This wine, as I have often written, that in great vintages, “all boats rise with the tide”, such that lesser growth producers, and second and even third wines of top producers, delivers great QPR - quality price ratio, as it sells for a fraction of the price of its ultra-premium highly acclaimed neighbors. 

This release was awarded 92-94 points by Wine Enthusiast, 93 by Wine Spectator, 91 by Vinous, and 90 points by Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. 

Dark garnet colored, medium full bodied, aromatic, opulent, moderately firmly structured rich round blackberry and black currant fruits with notes of licorice, spice, cigar box and forest floor, with smooth tannins on a big expressive finish. 

RM 91 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=224097

https://www.gc-lurton-estates.com/en/chateau-haut-bages-liberal.html

Château Larmande St Emilion Grand Cru Classe’

Château Larmande St Emilion Grand Cru Classe with Waygu Beef at Entourage DG 

Having been traveling for much of the month of July, Friday night dining out, we returned to Entourage Restaurant in nearby Downers Grove, which has become our favorite go-to eatery with a diverse menu of delectable selections. This was a return visit for us with friends/neighbors Richard and Adessa. 

We’ve featured Entourage numerous times in these pages, most notably our Pour Boys Wine Group dinner at Entourage last fall. This is the same restaurant group that has a sister restaurant in Naperville, also featured in these pages in  Plumpjack Reserve Napa Chardonnay at Entourage Restaurant Naperville.

After dinner, we enjoyed the live band performing on the fountain square at the train station, immediately across the street. This is a bonus for those dining outside at Entourage!

Prior to dinner we enjoyed two favorite features … taking advantage of the Social Hour, ‘early bird’ specials, we ordered the Rosemary Focaccia Bread - “Made Fresh Daily”, served with Mediterranean Olives and Sea Salt Butter. While it may be easy to discount this as a simple bread plate, it’s delicious! 

Additionally, prior to our main course, we enjoyed the Roasted Beets and Whipped Goat Cheese Salad - Arugula, Baby Gem with Spicy Pecans, Fennel, Hot Honey and Grapefruit Citrus Vinaigrette. As always, this was delicious - a wonderful pairing of flavors.

For dinner, I had one of my favorite dishes that I look forward to, but can only take occasionally, which is understandable when you see the sensational presentation! 

This signature entree continues to be amazing! It’s enough for two dinners, tonight, and then a follow on with the take-home leftovers. On occasion, we’ve actually ordered a second one for carry out to take home. 

Entourage Signature Wagyu Meatloaf Sundae - Truffle + Parmesan Whipped Potatoes, Brioche, Wild Mushroom Gravy,  Vegetable Succotash topped with Crispy Onions.

This was delicious and with ample portions - enough for a follow on take home meal with two large slices of meatloaf, but not enough of the delectable pomme puree’! But where would you put it in that tower, or what they call a ‘Sundae’!

Linda ordered what has become one of her favorite entree’s, Entourage classic signature Shrimp and Grits -  Spicy Shrimp & Jalapeno Grits - Blackened Wild Shrimp, Andouille Sausage, Charred Jalapeno, Charred Corn, Baby Peppers and Creole Cream. Richard also ordered this dish on her recommendation and loved it as well. 

Adessa ordered the Waygu Beef sliders and loved them. 

To pair with my Waygu beef meatloaf, I brought BYOB from our home cellar this aged vintage Right Bank Bordeaux for a perfect food-wine pairing. 

Château Larmande St Emilion Grand Cru Classé 2005

Grand Cru Classe’ producer Château Larmande lies north of the town of St. Emilion, close to Soutard and Cadet-Piola. It consists of 25 hectares of vineyards planted with Merlot (65%), Cabernet Franc (25%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (10%). Larmande was sold to the French insurance conglomerate, La Mondiale in 1991. 

Looking back at our CellarTracker tasting notes, and blogposts in these pages, this is the fourth bottle of this label we’ve enjoyed over the recent past, as we consume our remaining holdings of this label in its twentieth year, arguably at the prime, or reaching the end of its prime drinking window. We have one more remaining bottle from this vintage and I’ll miss this enjoyable label. (Records show we acquired no less than twenty bottles upon release - a great QPR - quality price ratio selection.) 

At twenty years the fill level was still fine but the cork was beginning to lose integrity as it pulled apart using a traditional corkscrew. I took my Ahso two pronged cork puller which would’ve most likely removed the cork in-tact, but I was too late and the cork disintegrated on the server who did his best to save it. 

Our server, Jason, is a Sommelier and relished the challenge and handled it well. In the end, feeble efforts to use a coffee filter, to remove the crumbled cork in the bottle,  I managed to pour the wine slowly, carefully into a decanter for serving. 

I wrote back in 2020, “It's hard to believe its been five years since I last tasted this label when I wrote,' at eleven years of age, I sense this is approaching the end of its prime drinking window as the fruits seem to have given way slightly to the emergence of the non-fruit flavors based on earlier tasting notes from three and five years ago'.

“We still hold three bottles of the case we acquired upon release. We'll need to consume these in the intermediate term, but it still has several years to go, yet.” 

My published tasting report notes for this label show nine postings with one a year ago when my notes were consistent with earlier tastings and project life still left in this release.

This vintage release was a blend of Merlot (65%), Cabernet Franc (30%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (5%).

Consistent with earlier notes … Dark garnet colored, medium bodied, aromatic blackberry and black cherry fruits accented by tones of tar, smoke, earthy leather, hints of cedar and spice, (earlier reports of mocha were not apparent), on a firm lingering tongue puckering tannin finish - fruits slightly diminished from earlier tastings with seemingly increased acidity.

RM 89 points.*

*PS. A postscript to an earlier tasting, after a couple days open in the bottle, chilled, this wine returned to its earlier elegance, structured balance and fruit, regaining earlier rating of 89 points. Once again, I shouldn't P-n-P, pop and pour these complex aged wines, rather, give them respect, open them and allow them to breathe at least a couple hours before diving in! 

**PPS: And of course, pay attention to the cork condition and use appropriate instrument for extraction! 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=351693

http://www.chateau-soutard.com/chateau-larmande-.aspx

https://entouragerestaurant.com/downers-grove/

Earlier, recent reviews of this label ….

https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2020/12/chateau-larmande.html

https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2019/09/chateau-larmande-2005.html

https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2025/04/chateau-larmande-st-emilion-grand-cru.html

Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Le Serre Nuove

Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Le Serre Nuove with Lasagna

Linda babysat for kids/grandkid so D-in-law Vivianna prepared home-made lasagna with Italian Sausage. I opened from our cellar this Italian Red Bordeaux Blend for a food wine pairing. 

This wine, Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Le Serre Nuove, is produced by Tenuta dell'Ornellaia, the renowned winery located in the Bolgheri region of Tuscany, Italy, producers of the exceptional flagship blend known as Ornellaia.

Bolgheri, where the estate is located, is a small village on the picturesque Tuscan coast, in the Maremma region near the Tyrrhenian Sea. Its distinctive terroir, characterized by a blend of sand, marl, marine fossils, clay, limestone, and pebbles, coupled with a mild maritime climate and cooling sea breezes, creates ideal conditions for growing high-quality grapes, particularly the Bordeaux varieties used in Ornellaia's wines.

Ornellaia is somewhat of a legend, one of the first “Super-Tuscans”, the result of Marchese Lodovico Antinori’s vision and ambition to produce a great Bordeaux-style wine in Tuscany. The first vineyards were planted in 1981 and today have expanded to almost 250 acres.

Today, the winery is owned by the Frescobaldi family, one of seven estates they own and manage across the Northern Italian Tuscany Bolgheri region, some of which have been in the family dating back to the 1300's.

I first discovered this wine dining at Italian Village in the city (Chicago) for a team business dinner, selected from the vast Italian Village extraordinary wine cellar list crafted and curated by friend Jared Gelband, Wine Director.

I wrote about this label in an earlier blogpost in these pages, excerpted here.

The Ornellaia vineyard totals 280 acres that are divided into more than 70 vineyard plots according to soil type, exposition and varietal. There are three major soil types: marine (sedimentary deposit from the sea), alluvial (marly, sandy clays with mineral veins), and volcanic (schist, gravel and porous soils). All the vineyards are about 3 miles from the Mediterranean shore. The mild maritime climate features sea breezes that keep the sky clear, low rainfall, and long summers that favor the development of aromatic compounds. Vineyards are planted at high density, from 5,000-8,700 hl/ha, and feature several training systems – spur-pruned cordon, single Guyot, and head-pruned vines.

Bolgheri, where the winery is located, is a small village nestled along the picturesque Tuscan coast, specifically in the Maremma region near the Tyrrhenian Sea. Its unique terroir, characterized by a blend of sand, marl, marine fossils, clay, limestone, and pebbles, coupled with a mild maritime climate and cooling sea breezes, creates ideal conditions for growing high-quality grapes, particularly the Bordeaux varieties used in Ornellaia's wines. 

Tenuta dell'Ornellaia was founded in 1981 by Marchese Lodovico Antinori. Antinori, a member of a prominent Tuscan winemaking family, was inspired to create wines of exceptional quality in the Bolgheri region. He planted Bordeaux varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot, which led to the first vintage of Ornellaia in 1985. The estate's commitment to quality and expression of the terroir quickly gained recognition for the wines, leading to international acclaim.

Over the years, Ornellaia's ownership changed hands, though its dedication to quality remains a constant. Robert Mondavi acquired a minority stake in 1999 and full ownership in 2002. The Mondavi Corporation later entered into a partnership with the Frescobaldi family, another distinguished name in Tuscan winemaking. In 2005, the Frescobaldi family became the sole proprietor of Ornellaia, and continues to manage the estate today. 

Throughout its history, Ornellaia has benefited from the expertise of talented winemakers, including André Tchelistcheff in its early years, and Michel Rolland as a long-time consultant. Most recently, Axel Heinz served as the winemaker and Estate Director for over 17 years, and his legacy includes a project called Vendemmia d'Artista which involves collaboration with artists for special vintage releases. The current production manager for both Ornellaia and the super ultra-premium brand is Masseto is Marco Balsimelli.

First released in 1997, Le Serre Nuove is the 'Second' wine of ultra-premium Ornellaia, produced to broaden the selection of wines crafted during the crafting of the base wines of Ornellaia. It is produced mainly from younger vines, but crafted to match the profile of freshness, accessibility and flexibility with structure, balance and intensity that showcase the great terroirs of the producer’s properties.

This was an ideal pairing with the zesty lasagna. 

Tenuta dell'Ornellaia Le Serre Nuove 2019

The 2019 Le Serre Nuove Dell'Ornellaia is 54% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Cabernet Franc, and the rest Petit Verdot. 

This release was rated 95 by James Suckling, 94 points by Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Decanter and Wine & Spirits, 93 points by Vinous and Wine Spectator, and 92 by Jeb Dunnuck.

Winemaker's notes - “With its hallmark deep colour, Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia 2019 has a lively balsamic vein. Soft and silky, elegant tannins and an enduring savoury finish fill the mouth.” - Olga Fusari – Winemaker - May 2021.

Winemaker Notes - “With its usual intense color, Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia 2019 has a nose full of fresh notes of ripe red fruits, accompanied by a lively balsamic vein with aromatic hints of cypress and eucalyptus berries. The wine is soft and silky in the mouth, filling it with an elegant tannic texture and a sapid and persistent finish.”

The winemaker’s description of “lively balsamic” best describes the predominate flavor sprite of this wine. Dark garnet colored, full bodied, the black currant and blackberry fruits are accented by that layer with savory notes of smoke, rosemary spice, black pepper, leather and hints of creosote and cedar with a lively moderate tannin laced finish.  

RM 91 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=4080770

https://www.ornellaia.com/en/

https://twitter.com/Ornellaia

Luigi’s Italian Chophouse, Fayetteville (NC)

Fantastic Italian Dining at Luigi’s Italian Chophouse, Fayetteville (NC)

Moving on, from our visit to Raleigh (NC), we traveled to Fayetteville (NC) to visit the in-law’s and their extended family for a mini-family reunion of the three senior Long siblings. Brother (in-law) Jeff was an Army Airborne Ranger so we visited the Army Airborne & Special Operations Museum.

That evening we dined at Luigi’s Italian Chophouse Restaurant in Fayetteville. . 

Everyone is used the typical Italian Restaurant with the customary predictable menu of standard Italian Specialty dishes. We were blown away by Luigi’s sensational food, extensive informative wine list, and attentive capable service! 

Luigi’s is owned and operated by Nicholas Parrous who also serves as Wine Director and executive chef. 

From Luigi’s menu we had what would be considered typical ‘benchmark’ dishes that we’re accustomed to ordering at other frequently visited restaurants. In each case, Luigi’s not only vastly exceeded our expectations, but in some cases served the best ever entree. 

Such was the case with the Seabass, Eggplant Parmagana, Fettucino Alfredo and the Veal Piccata. 

I was treated to the Luigi’s Veal Piccata - Certified Dutch Veal top round sliced, pounded thin, seasoned and lightly breaded in a Parmesan crust, prepared with sauteed garlic, lemon and capers. And, a side of Luigi’s sensational extraordinary Fettuccine Alfredo - Heavy cream, butter, imported Romano cheese.

I was tempted to order the Chilean Sea Bass but was certain it would be a disappointment when compared to the fabulous seabass entry we’ve been enjoying at home at our regular eatery Entourage. To the contrary Linda and Pat ordered, combined and shared the Pan Seared Chilean Sea Bass and thought it was exceptional, and the best ever (I still favor the Entourage preparation)! The Sea Bass was a 7oz fresh filet, seasoned and lightly floured, pan seared and served over a bed of sautéed baby and topped sweet caramelized onions. They ordered along with the Eggplant Parmigiana - Fresh eggplant lightly seasoned and fried, topped with Marinara sauce and melted Provolone Cheese. They also enjoyed the Eggplant immensely, rating as best ever.  

Luigi’s boasts a respectable Wine Spectator Best of Award winning wine list, awarded each year since 2003. Luigi’s wine cellar holds an inventory of 2200 bottles of 295 different labels with primary emphasis being Italian with broad coverage of California as well. Their Wine Spectator Awards are proudly, prominently displayed in the main lobby. Their 51 page wine list is not only extensive but informative, with reviews and commentaries on many of the wines. Wines are moderately and fairly priced for great value dining.  

From the wine list we ordered this highly acclaimed Brunello. 

Mastro Janni Brunello di Montalcino DOCG 2018

This is from Mastro Janni in Castelnuovo dell’Abate, in the municipality of Montalcino. The estate is near the historic Abbey of Sant’Antimo that dates back to the end of the 8th century.

In Castelnuovo dell’Abate, at the far southeastern corner of Montalcino, Mastrojanni is owned by part of the Illy Coffee family and has a prestigious hotel and villas as part of the estate. The estate is run by Francesco Illy. 

The 270 acre estate is planted to 100 acres of Vineyards in 37 vineyard plots that stretch to the South, Southeast, and Southwest where the proximity to the Orcia River on the eastern boundary, and the Mount Amiata,  an ancient dormant volcano that rises to 1,738 meters, creates a unique microclimate ideally suited to vinifera. 

The “silent giant” Monte Amiata plays a crucial role in shaping the microclimate with cool breezes that descend from its slopes at night to refresh the vines, while during the day, the updrafts generated by the sun along its sides often divert storms, protecting the vineyards.

The thirty-seven vineyard plots are planted to Sangiovese, Cabernet, Moscato Bianco, Malvasia di C., Sauvignon blanc, Trebbiano Toscano and Ciliegiolo, with the largest allotment, 47 acres, planted to the native Sangiovese. 

The terroir in the Castelnuovo dell’Abate area consists of a mosaic of complex soils. The vineyards sit at  altitudes ranging from 180 to 420 meters above the sea level. The remaining land hosts wooded areas, olive groves (around 800 trees), orchards and a vegetable garden that keep the biodiversity of the area alive.

Since 1975, two particular plots are vinified individually and bottled as single vineyard designated labels, an early approach for its time. The two vineyards Vigna Schiena d’Asino and Vigna Loreto represent the best, most acclaimed Mastrojanni production.

This is 100% estate Sangiovese vinified and produced according to Brunello di Momtalcino DOCG specifications.

I’ve written often in these pages about Brunello and what makes it so special. They are sourced from the Italian appellation of Brunello di Montalcino, regarded as one of Italy’s best appellations. Located in south central Tuscany below Chianti, the wines of Brunello di Montalcino DOCG are made of a Sangiovese clone called “brunello,” which means “little dark one,” a reference to the brown tones in the skin of the grape. Unlike some Tuscan appellations that allow other grapes to be blended with Sangiovese, Brunello di Montalcino appellation rules require 100% Sangiovese.

Brunello di Montalcino DOCG has to be made 100% with Sangiovese grapes alone, and made only within the Montalcino municipality area. It can only be sold in the market from January 1 of its fifth year after harvest. Prior to that, the wine cannot legally be called Brunello di Montalcino (not even in the cellar): it is simply "red wine to become Brunello di Montalcino DOCG".

Montalcino is a picturesque, hill-top town that was not especially well known for wine production until the mid-19th century, when a local vineyard owner isolated the brunello clone and planted it. Other growers followed suit. Nevertheless it wasn’t until the 1970s that wine enthusiasts started paying attention to Brunello di Montalcino, which by then was becoming an outstanding wine.

Today there are 120 estates in the DOCG, up from about 25 estates in 1975. Brunellos in general are bigger, darker, more tannic and more powerful wines than Chiantis or most other Sangioveses. By law they must be aged for four years, and two of those years must be in wooden barrels.

Mastro Janni’s 47 acres of Brunello are harvested and vinified by individual parcels before ageing in large French oak casks. Winemakers for Mastro Janni are Giulia Härri and Piero Ferretti. 

This 2018 release was awarded 93 points by Wine Advocate, The Wine Independent and. Wine Spectator, and 92 points by Decanter, Vinous and Wine Enthusiast, and 91 by James Suckling. 

The bottle is packaged with a red wax seal affixed to the front of the bottle.

Producer notes …  Brunello di Montalcino 2018 - “The color is bright and brilliant ruby red and it shows the typical aroma of ripe plum and berries notes that blend with a fragrant spiciness, balsamic hints and touches of blond tobacco. In the mouth the wine unfolds tonic and dynamic, supported by fine and elegant tannins which, together with a juicy acidity, leads to a finish of savory and mineral persistence.” 

“Nose - Intriguing nose in its young classicity, stands out ripe fruity notes embellished with a variegated spice flavor.’ 

“Palate - It offers itself with frankness with an intense entrance that ends pleasantly tannic and savory.’ 

“Colour - Brillant Ruby Red with garnet reflections.” - Francesco Illy

Grape variety 100% Sangiovese (Brunello) Barrel aging 36 months in 16-33-54 hl barrels made of Allier oak. Production was 70.000 bottles.

Dark ruby colored, medium full bodied, rich, round bright vibrant expressive ripe sweet dark cherry, plum and currant fruits with notes of savory spices, earth, black truffles, stony minerals and hints of smoke turning to round dusty tannins on the lingering finish. 

RM 92 points.  

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=4481416

https://mastrojanni.com/en/

https://www.luigisnc.com/

Angus Barn Raleigh, NC

Beefsteak and wine dinner at legendary Angus Barn Raleigh, NC  

We traveled through Raleigh (NC) enroute to Fayetteville, NC to visit extended family. Laying over overnight, we dined at the historic Angus Barn Restaurant. 

The Angus Barn in Raleigh, North Carolina, is an institution with its award winning Wine Cellar that has over 25,000 bottles of wine from around the world. We dined at Angus Barn and toured the wine cellar during a previous visit back in 2009.

The Angus Barn was founded in 1960 by Thad Eure, Jr. and Charles Winston with the objective to provide “incomparable hospitality; excellent value; a meal of impeccable quality; and the rich, rustic Americana ambiance”.  

In 1959, they bought 50 acres along NC Highway 70, halfway between Raleigh and Durham near what would become Research Triangle Park and Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU). At the time, RDU was little more than a landing strip with fewer than 20 flights daily. Twelve years later Crabtree Valley Mall was built down the road near Raleigh.

When banks declined Eure and Winston search for funding, politely referring to their venture as “impossible” and “a poor risk.”, Eure turned to his father, the late North Carolina Secretary of State Thad Eure, Sr., for the capital to pursue their dream. 

In 1960, Eure and Winston opened their restaurant with a steak-and-potato-based menu serving highest quality aged western beef. 

Today, that legend continues under the ownership of Van Eure, daughter of the late Thad Eure, Jr. The Barn serves an average of 22,000 steaks per month, but the menu also features poultry, seafood and pasta.

The Angus Barn is consistently one of the nation’s 50 highest-grossing independent restaurants, consistently ranked as one of the 100 best restaurants in the US. 

In February, 1964, the Angus Barn was destroyed by fire. They rebuilt a new Barn doubling the seating capacity. Eure and Winston, vowed to provide jobs to each Angus Barn employee during reconstruction, finding jobs for employees at other area restaurants or in construction jobs. To open within one year of the fire, shifts were created to rebuild around-the-clock. They beat the one-year deadline reopening in January, 1965.

Its a great story that in November of 1983, after eighteen years in partnership, Eure and Winston decided to part ways. The quandary: Who would sell his share of the Barn to the other was resolved in a Southern gentlemen way. They agreed to a coin toss. The person who won the toss would decide whether to buy or to sell. Winston won. And Winston decided to sell. Winston went on to become one of the most respected hoteliers and restaurateurs in the southeast.

In 1979 the “liquor by the drink law” changed in North Carolina, allowing restaurants to serve alcoholic beverages by the drink. The owners sacrificed their offices and converted them into the Wild Turkey Lounge, named for Thad’s extensive wild turkey decanter collection.

The collection of more than 400 turkeys grew by another 200 to today’s collection of more than 600 decanters, displayed throughout the Wild Turkey Lounge, and is the largest private collection in existence.

Thad Eure, Jr., who earned a reputation nationally and statewide as “Mr. Hospitality,” succumbed to cancer in November of 1988 at the young age of 56. Numerous honors and tributes followed. Having served as president of both the North Carolina Restaurant Association and the National Restaurant Association, annual awards were established in his honor. 

In 1989, Wine Spectator magazine awarded its coveted Grand Award upon Angus Barn, an honor to be repeated each year for the next twenty-plus years. Built on Thad, Jr.’s vision to build a wine list to rival the best California restaurants, in 1991, Alice and Van transformed the stacked boxes and cases of wine in a place called “the cages” into a spectacular, 28,000 bottle wine cellar complete with in-cellar dining rooms. The legendary cellar rivals celebrated restaurant wine cellars throughout the US and the world, featuring 25,000 bottle of 1,200 different labels.

We toured the Angus Barn wine cellar during a previous visit with daughter Erin back in 2009.

After Alice Eure passed in October, 1997, many speculated that Van would simply sell the Barn. The Angus Barn continues under the stewardship of their daughter Van Eure, who continues expanding and building upon her parents’ dream.

In 2008 Van and husband Steve Thanhauser opened The Pavilion on the Angus Barn property, a 400 seat lakeside venue to accommodate special events. 

For dinner we each ordered steaks which were excellent, prepared perfectly and served hot with delectable accompaniments - mashed potatoes and fresh veggies.  

From the extraordinary extensive wine list I ordered a Napa proprietary red wine. Dining with Sis/in-law Pat, I ordered a wine from a producer we visited together, the David Arthur estate up on Pritchard Hill in the southern Vaca Mountain Range sitting at about 1000 feet overlooking the Silverado Trail of Napa Valley during our Napa Valley Wine Experience in 2013. 

David Arthur Napa Valley Proprietary Red 2019

After nearly forty years of farming grapes up on Pritchard Hill, David Arthur released this new label, “the Next Generation of David Arthur Vineyards wine ~ DAV, a wine crafted for accessibility and near-term enjoyment in its youth, yet offering greater nuance and complexity afforded with cellaring.” 

This Bordeaux-style label is a blend of mountain-grown Bordeaux varietals from the David Arthur estate along with “the best of surrounding vineyards within the Napa Valley”. 

This wine is aged an average of 20 months in French oak barrels.

Producer’s Tasting Notes - “A dark cerise color offering an array of fruit and spice aromas; bright cherry, red raspberry, baked cassis, and plum followed by notes of anise, baking spices, garrigue and cherry cola. The palate is soft and plush with fine-grained tannins offering beautiful acidity and structure. The finish is long and silky with flavors of candied plum, tamarind, brown sugar and molasses.”

This label was awarded 94 point by James Suckling, 92 points by Vinous, and 91 by Wine Spectator. 

This is a traditional Bordeaux varietals blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot - 2,568 cases were produced. 

Bright garnet colored, medium to full bodied, nicely balanced, bright vibrant, smooth and lush, ripe black berry, black currant and plum fruits with notes of spice, sweet tobacco, cassis, with hints of mocha and herbs de Provence turning to fine grained tannin on a polished finish. 

RM 92 points. 

https://www.cellartracker.com/wine.asp?iWine=5062564

https://www.davidarthur.com/wines/proprietary-red/

https://mcnees.org/dinesite/Dinesites/DineSite_Raleigh_Angus_Barn.htm

https://www.angusbarn.com/

https://twitter.com/angusbarn

Lavender Crest Winery Tasting

Lavender Crest Winery Tasting Illinois and Midwest Wines 

Returning from our weekend get away to Iowa, we stopped along our route on return back to Chicago at Lavender Crest Winery in Colona, IL,  for a spontaneous casual Wine Tasting. 

What a pleasant surprise to find such a picturesque setting amidst the gardens and vineyard. And how delightful to discover some respectable wines produced locally, sourced from Illinois vineyards. 

The original Lavender Crest Winery first opened in 2004 by Wilbert and Martha Rittmueller pursuing their passion for wine and named based on fond memories of a memorable visit to a lavender field. 

The Rittmuellers lived their dream for 11 years, until it was cut short by Martha’s unexpected passing in 2015. Seeking retirement, Wilbert sold the winery to the Belshause family who owned and operated Backroad Vineyard and already supplied grapes for many Lavender Crest wines.

The acquisition of the winery in 2016 by the five Belshause siblings, Ron, Nancy, Gloria, Marty, and Henry, already partners in their vineyard, fulfilled their ambition to own and operate their own winery. 

Lavender Crest Winery features a vineyard and wine production facility. In addition there is a hospitality center with a wine tasting room, a café that serves lunch daily, a gift shop, and a banquet and special events center that seats 250 - 300 guests for special occasions. 

Lunch in the café is served either inside or outside on a grape covered pergola over the patio overlooking the picturesque vineyard and gardens grounds. Guests are able to do a wine tour of the production facility or do a tasting of their choice of a flight of wines. 

Lavender Crest produces wines that showcase grapes grown in their own vineyards, and grower vineyards across Illinois and the Midwest, as well as incorporating some juice imported from California. 

We discussed Missouri grapes and their wine industry and heritage in our Missouri Wine Experience feature back in 2021 - (https://unwindwine.blogspot.com/2021/09/missouri-wine-experience.html).

We crafted a wine flight of reds and one of whites. The tasting flights are served in a wine glass tower/tree delineating from top to bottom the wine selections in order of tasting. 

Out Wine flights included:

White wines … 

Red wines … 

The Whites … 

“Colona” Backroad Vineyard La Crescent White NV

An Illinois State Fair Winner, Corona White is a semi- sweet white crafted from Lavender Crest’s own Illinois Grown LaCrescent grapes from the Belshause‘s Backroad Vineyard in nearby Orion, I. This wine possesses a fruity, crisp flavor, with hints of tangerine, apricot and spice, reminiscent of a Riesling.

Their Colona Red and Colona White wines are named after the town, Colona, Illinois, located in Henry County in northwest Illinois on the Mississippi River bordering Iowa. Colona became an official town in 1855. 

No one really knows how the name came about. Legends support four theories; from discovering "coal on a bank", to the abundance of wild flowers creating "cologne" in the air, a traveler named Mr. Colona or a shortened version of the word "Colonial".

 

Over time, the city has embraced such visitors as Abraham Lincoln, Tom Mix and General Pershing and is called home by opera star, Tony Dillon, baseball player, Baby Doll Jackson, racing champion, Lou Fenno and last but not least, Lavender Crest Winery.

“Beaches” NV Niagara La Crecent Blend

Best known perhaps as a juice grape, Niagara is the white-skinned counterpart to Concord and is, in fact, a multi-use grape excellent for wine-making. Blended with LaCrescent, it makes a "heady, heavily-scented wine" with floral notes. This crowd pleaser is best served chilled.

“Faithful Friends” BackRoad Vineyards White Blend

A delicate, semi-sweet white blend of locally grown grapes from the Backroad Vineyard, this takes its name from the fact that this label is crafted especially for the Quad City Animal Welfare Center. A portion of the proceeds goes to support their causes.

“Sweet Temptation” Valvin Muscat NV

Fashioned from Valvin Muscat grapes, this aromatic wine is sure to please Moscato drinkers. It has a spicy, floral aroma with delicious citrus, peach, and passion fruit flavors. Served chilled as recommended. 

“Soirée” Marquette Rosé

A semi-sweet blush wine made with gently pressed, locally grown Marquette grapes. Sweet and tangy notes of strawberry and ripe red fruits create a celebratory dance of flavors. Served chilled as recommended. This was very nice, and in-line with many Rose’ from California or even the Languedoc in Provence. 

The Red Wine flights …

Lavender Crest “Miche Sepi” California Cabernet and Missouri Norton Red Blend NV

Named in honor of the Quad Cities' greatest natural resource, the Mississippi River, this subtly "oaked" Cabernet juice from California and Norton grape from Missouri is finished dry.

Back ground on the Mississippi River heritage and impact - “Jean Nicolet, under direction of La Salle, learned of a great river called Miche Sepi from the native Americans. For nearly 200 years since, agriculture was the primary user of the basin lands. The value of the agricultural products and the huge agribusiness industry that was developed in the basin produces 92% of the nation's agricultural exports, 78% of the world's exports in feed grains and soybeans, and most of the livestock and hogs produced nationally.’ 

“The Mississippi River and its floodplain are home to a diverse population of living things that include at least 260 species of fish and 145 species of amphibians and reptiles. Forty percent of the nation's migratory waterfowl use the river corridor during their Spring and Fall migration and 60% of all North American birds (326 species) use the Mississippi River Basin as their migratory flyway. To move goods up and down the Mississippi, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers maintains a 9-foot shipping channel from Baton Rouge, La. to Minneapolis, Minn. Over 18 million people up and down the river use the Mississippi River Watershed for water supply.”

“1836” Red Table Wine NV

A semi-dry red wine created from Marquette grapes from Backroad Vineyard and California Pinot Noir. Barrel-aged to give it a touch of oak complexity. 

Named 1836 in honor of the neighboring town Victorian Geneseo, IL. 

“Geneseo, a name of American Indian Origin meaning "Pleasant Valley", was established in 1836 by eight families from Geneseo and Bergren in Genesee County, New York seeking religious freedom and financial opportunities. The original 40-acre town was recorded in Henry County on July 12, 1838 and the city was chartered by the state on February 16, 1865.”

Today, Victorian homes still line the cozy neighborhoods and downtown is filled with quaint, unique shops.

A semi-sweet red wine made from locally grown Marquette & Frontenac grapes from Backroad Vineyard, has a vibrant red color and dark berry fruit characteristics. Recommended serving with chocolate. 

“Red Velvet”

A semi-sweet red wine made from locally grown Marquette & Frontenac grapes from Backroad Vineyard, has a vibrant red color and dark berry fruit characteristics. Recommended serving with chocolate. 

“Odds & Ends” Red Blend NV

A semi-sweet wine blend based upon the winemaker's choice, this wine will be different with every bottling. The blend was unspecified. 



“Spice”

This exotic mixture of several spices transforms a blend of several of our fine wines into the perfect libation for fall and winter enjoyment. Served cold or warmed,

“Chocolate Love”

Blend of rich dark chocolate blended with Frontenac wine for a sensational taste that pairs well with many foods, especially raspberries and red cherries. Best served chilled.




To accompany the wine tasting we enjoyed their Baked Brie with fresh berries and nuts with crackers and apple slices, and fresh baked bread with olive oil, balsamic vinegar and cheese.

Readers of these pages know we tend to favor rather ‘sophisticated’ wines … especially when it comes to Reds. The Lavender Crest wines met our modest expectations for wines crafted from Illinois grapes. Taking into account the Midwestern “terroir” - all the elements that comprise conditions for growing vin-vinifera or wine grapes, soil, sun exposure, and most notably climate, there is a reason Illinois is known for corn and soybeans and California with its arid, temperate, coastal climates for wine grapes! 

That said, Lavender Crest are doing a commendable job crafting quality wines, meeting the ‘art of the possible’ from the fruit grown in the Midwest. The highest quality to our preference tending to the whites, generally those sweeter varietal wines. 

We thought enough of their wines that we purchased severable labels to take home for consumption and sharing with friends later. 

Most notably we purchased a mixed case of primarily Lavender Crest whites, “Beaches” NV Niagara La Crecent Blend and  “Faithful Friends” BackRoad Vineyards White Blend, and  “Soirée” Marquette Rosé, in line with our recent pursuit of Rose’ as a summer sipper. 

And of course, in light of our chocolate-mania, love of chocolate, we included some “Chocolate Love” for fun experimentation and sharing with friends. 

We will look forward to, and highly recommend at stop at Lavender Crest for a fun outing taking in their hospitality, wine and accompanying food, in their pretty picturesque setting.  It’s located just off Interstates 80 and 74.

https://lavendercrest.com/