While in Italy, for the Tuscan Taste Anteprima, I was invited to Tenute Silvio Nardi (a Brunello producer) for a dinner put on by owner Emilia Nardi who invited Michelin-star chef Roy Caceres (he came to Rome via Columbia some 25 years ago) to take charge in the kitchen. Dinner was not a fusion of cuisines but seemed to exist on its own plateau from the Swiss chard taco opener to the blue cheese wrapped in white chocolate morsel that "just appeared" from the kitchen near the end of the meal. It truly was an evening to remember for both it's exquisite food and the wines that accompanied it.
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| Kicking things off with this Ferrari 2007 Perle Rosee so vibrant and fresh - it was a great starter with the appetizers |
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| The array of appetizers went from a meatball on a stick with a bloody mary sauce; Swiss chard fresh taco with a lime gel; and a fresh baked multi-seed bread with butter |
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| The line-up of wines to go with the dinner, highlighting the 5-star 2010 vintage ... full notes to follow as the wines are served with dinner |
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| Plus a special taste of how the 1997 Brunello is doing |
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| Some things presented were not on the formal menu, like this bonus opener: a fresh free-run egg with a cheese sauce (and other accoutrement in the sauce) ... |
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| then a pork crisp was added for some crunch ... |
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| cracking of the delicate egg ... |
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| Just look at the vibrant colour of that yolk. Outstanding beginning. |
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| Winemaker Emanuele Nardi ... spoke briefly about the wines, allowing our hostess Emilia Nardi to address her guests and the wines; Emanuele preferred to let the wines speak for themselves as the 2010 was such a great vintage all he had to do was allow the fruit to express itself. |
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| Our hostess and winery owner ... Emilia Nardi |
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| The Assembled Guests ... which included politicians, dignitaries, winery principals and other wine media my place was at the far end of the table, left hand side beside Emanuele |
And now ... onto the wines and dinner:
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| Wine #1 - 2013 Turan, Sant'Antimo Rosso a special bottling made only since 2010 and only 6000 annually Sangiovese, Colorino, Syrah and Petit Verdot went together to create this fruit forward wine that had hints of white pepper backing it up (****) |
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| Wine #2 - 2010 Brunello di Montalcino (150,000 bottles produced) blending the Sangiovese from both the South-East and North-West vineyards. Aromas are floral and red fruit dominated, followed on the palate with delicate spice and lots of red fruit; soft and elegant. (****) |
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| "Risotto rosso cremoso, blu del Monviso, manzo & pistacchio" |
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| Looks as good as it sounds: Risotto, cheese, meat and pistachios |
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| Wine #3 - 2010 Vigneto Manachiara, Brunello di Montalcino (~10,000 bottles produced) the south-east single vineyard offering planted back in the 1960's Manachiara means "Bright Morning" lovely fruit, spice and floral with a long cherry finish. (****+) |
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| Wine #4 - 2010 Vigneto Poggio Doria, Brunello di Montalcino (~3500 bottles produced) this is the north-west vineyard single offering from vines planted in 1998 Poggio Doria means "Golden Top" grown in volcanic soil which imparts a chalky-mineral quality but also a deep plum, cherry and lushness of fruit (**** 1/2) |
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| "Manzo Wagyu, cime di rape e cardoncelli" |
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| The chef, Roy Caceres, comes out for a glass of wine and his curtain call; posing here with Emilia Nardi ... but he isn't done yet |
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| But first a little palate cleanser of cheese and fruit compotes |
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| The aforementioned white chocolate coating blue cheese and a port reduction sauce |
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| Wine #5 - 1997 Brunello di Montalcino nice mature Brunello with a long finish of dried fruits and delicate oak |
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| Wine #6 - 2009 Vin Santo San'Antimo, Occhio di Pernice marmalade, nutty-caramel and apricot |
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| "Castagne, cachi e alloro" |
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| Our last little bonus |
A big thank you to Emilia Nardi for hosting this very special dinner and also a big congratulations and thank you to Chef Roy Caceres for creating such a memorable dinner.
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