Dinner last night, Bordeaux, and Barolo and others

[mike reff]

Montevertrano 1999 Sweet and new world like fragrant
Mayacamus 2000 Not that impressed
Lanson Brut 1986 Alot of yeasty overtones
Leoville Barton 1993 Moderate finish, decent
Cos D Esoturnel 1993 A disapointment, drying and flat
Dominus 1992 Very pleasant full bodied with su0pple tannins
Ridge Monte Bello 1994 Opened up a bit very good, pronounced tannins
Leoville Poyferre 1982 Great wine
Ch. Rouget 1982 Interesting nose and floral a real treat
Ch Palmer 1978 Still going, great leathery notes
Lazarrito Vieta 2001 barolo
Fontana Fredda Barolo 1958 Wow, rose in color, still some fruit
Baumard Quarte de Charmes 1971 so so, sweetness seems to have disapated.
La Fleur Petrus 1998 No notes

[Comte Flaneur]

What was the Vietti like Mike (please restrict your impressions to 300 words)?

[mike reff]

What was the Vietti like Mike (please restrict your impressions to 300 words)?

hahhhaa. This tasting was too large and thus, I only had a smidgen of wine, thus the Vietti did not have that much of an effect on me. It was full bodied and pleasant but I did not jot down much after that.

[Ramon_NYC]

What was the Vietti like Mike (please restrict your impressions to 300 words)?

The wine was probably that good! Mike was at a loss for words.

On a side note, Chambers offered up on email today, and I bit on some, 80's Vietti Barbaresco and Barolo. I love some of the 90's stuff that I had from this producer.

[Houndsong]

Is Vietti [ah, I see now we must be speaking of a different producer] a respected producer? I bought some 2004 Castiglione from Zachy's at what seems now a ridiculous $30 a bottle. Don't know if Castiglione is a vineyard or just some name they slap on their entry-level juice.

I also got the 2002 Lafon from Zachy's for $22 a bottle, which at the time seemed like a fair price although not a particular deal. Have times changed that much?

[Michael Malinoski]

I believe Castiglione is a custom blend for Vietti. Good stuff, though. I have a few '96s I've been eying to open this fall...

Montevetrano is a real favorite. '97 may be my favorite, along with '94, followed by I would say '01. I can't recall having the '99--I'll have to check. I do think it is a wine that tends to be showy on the nose (blue and red fruit, spice, vanilla, creosote) but more more Old World (despite really smooth texture and hints of mocha) on the palate. I've served it blind many times and most people think it is a young Bordeaux--never had anybody guess New World, I don't think.

Thanks for the impressions,

Michael

[oldwinenut]

Vietti is one of my absolute favorite Piedmonte producers. If they ranked Italian wines as first growth, their wines would have to be included. Their Barolo's, except Castiglione, need tons of cellar time. I just recently enjoyed a '89 Lazarrito and it was superb. Vietti also makes a single vinyard Barbaresco, Masseria. I have just opened my first '97 and would say that it still needs more time to reach it apogee, and that is from a more forward vintage. With the '07 vintage they have been "discovered" and the pricing reflects it. To bad.