Sunday, February 14, 2010

Siro Pacenti

The Siro Pacenti wines hold a soft spot in our heart. We visited them in 2002 and had the pleasure of meeting Siro, who turned over the winemaking reigns to his son Giancarlo (starting in 1988). The wines are consistently some of the best in the region.

The Rosso di Montalcino represents their more approachable-when-young wine and given the nice deal we found on the 2006 (while some of the 07 Rosso’s have come and gone), this is a must have for any Tuscan wine-lover.


2006 Siro Pacenti Rosso di Montalcino

(90 Points: Wine Advocate) Pacenti’s 2006 Rosso di Montalcino is a sleek, lush wine loaded with soft-textured fruit that flows onto the palate with remarkable elegance and finesse. With air it gains weight and expansiveness in a gorgeous display of Rosso. As is often the case, Giancarlo Pacenti’s Rosso di Montalcino is among the finest wines of the region, although in this vintage he has more competition, which suggests producers are paying more attention to the quality of their Rossos. Anticipated maturity: 2008-2011.


Price: $29.99 Italy

Saturday, February 6, 2010

Supper Club 6

first course whitefish crudo, preserved lemon, fried capers, onion pickles
paired with: NV Domaine J. Laurens Cremant de Limoux Brut


second course
puree of smoked turnip, poached pear, sour crème fraiche
paired with: 2007 François Pinon Vouvray Tradition


third course sautéed wild mushroom, wooley thyme, crouton, shaved piave
paired with: 2008 Fenouillet Vin de Pays Vaucluse


fourth course
cassoulet beans with braised slab bacon, duck leg and mirepoix
paired with: 2007 Eric Texier Cotes du Rhone Vaison-la-Romaine